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The IFRC assisted the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society in reviewing its human resourcesystems, including human resource policies and procedures. The support was focused on thepractical implementation of existing policies and procedures.• Spanish Red CrossFunds from the Spanish Red Cross were channelled to eight Pacific National Societies through thePacific organizational development working group. The group contributed to a number ofachievements during the reporting period.o For the first time, the Cook Islands Red Cross Society was able to recruit a finance andadministration officer to ensure the smooth running of its finance and administrationfunctions.o The Solomon Islands Red Cross Society was able to complete a review of its finance policyand established a chart of accounts for all donor funds. In addition, the National Societysuccessfully completed internal and external audits, financial management training anddeveloped a governance strengthening training package.o The Vanuatu Red Cross Society completed an internal audit, printed the Red Cross manualfor its junior and youth volunteer programme, and procured first-aid kits, as well as acomputer and projector.o The Palau Red Cross Society procured a computer in order to maintain a record of membersand blood donors.Constraints or challenges• Helping members develop their understanding of a National Society’s core business and realizethe importance of fulfilling statutory requirements is often a challenge. National Societies find itdifficult to achieve a balance between the implementation of short-term projects, funded byinternational partners and donors, and the development of locally-initiated, locally managed andresourced programmes. The regional office is advocating the need for National Societies to find abetter balance between domestically initiated and internationally initiated activities. It is hopedthat the renewed focus on commercial first aid in the region will contribute to increased financialautonomy and more locally owned programming. The country level Movement planningdiscussions also provide a forum for defining more sustainable partnership and programmingapproaches by regional Movement Partners.• Providing in-country, focused OD support to National Societies is another challenge for theIFRC’s regional office, which often has limited human and financial resources itself. To overcomethis challenge, the regional delegation is promoting more peer-to-peer support among the PacificNational Societies and the integration of OD activities within health and disaster managementprogrammes. Resources are also being sought from the wider Asia Pacific region whereappropriate.International Disaster Response Laws, Rules and Principles (IDRL)Outcomes/Expected results1. Technical assistance to governments• Policy-makers understand and make use of the IDRL guidelines to strengthen legal andpolicy frameworks for disaster response.2. Training and capacity-building• Interested National Societies and humanitarian partners are empowered to advocate forstrengthened legal frameworks for disaster response.3. Dissemination, advocacy and research• IDRL guidelines are well known, partnerships are developed and the knowledge baseof the Movement on legal issues in disaster response is deepened.13