Red Cross Societies from the SADC region and senior delegates from the international Red Cross and ICRC meet this weekend to determine the way forward for Red Cross activities in the Southern Africa Region.

Presidents and Secretaries General from ten Red Cross National Societies of the SADC region will meet with senior delegates from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross), in Johannesburg. The main topics for discussion will be –

• the rehabilitation phase after the tsunami disaster,
• the role that the Southern Africa region played in responding to the disaster,
• the disaster management capacity of the region, and
• other issues affecting the region, such as HIV and Aids and orphans and vulnerable children.

The upcoming 7th Pan African Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference (PAC) to be hosted by South Africa in 2008 is also included in the agenda.

Date: Saturday 19 March to Monday 21 March 2005
Time: 08:30 for 08:50
Venue: Birchwood Hotel, East Rand, Johannesburg, South Africa

The South African Red Cross (SARCS) will host this Southern African Partnership of Red Cross Societies (SAPRCS) forum this weekend, as well as in 2006. Ms Mandisa Kalako Williams, National President of the South African Red Cross Society, will act as chairperson on the Saturday when the Presidents, as well as Secretaries General, will meet, and from Sunday onwards Mr Leslie Mondo, Secretary General of SARCS will, take the chair for the meeting of Secretaries General.

For more information, please contact:
Ms Mandisa Kalako Williams
President of The South African Red Cross Society
Cell: 083 286 2933