“Negligence” irks Red Cross Society

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 04 June 2018, 12:00AM

The Samoa Red Cross Society has threatened to withdraw its team of volunteers from the Super Nine competition venues over the “negligence” of tournament organisers.

The threat is made in a letter from the Samoa Red Cross Society Secretary General, Namulauulu Tautala Mauala to the Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U.) Events and Competitions Coordinator, Seiuli Salesa. 

Dated 21 May 2018, a copy of the letter was leaked to Samoa Observer.

Namulauulu expressed concerns over reports that volunteers have been poorly and unfairly treated for three Saturdays in a row at different venues of the competition.

 “Sir, it has been brought to my attention, the total negligence by S.R.U’s ogranizers in the receptive fields to provide for basic needs (food and water) for our volunteers who have been hard at work, full time on Saturdays since the start of this tournament,” Namulauulu writes.

“We are concerned for the health and safety of our volunteers and in strong support of their ‘rights’ to accessing their neglected basic needs to survive in life.

“Such negligence is implicating poorly on S.R.U’s failure to comply with our initial agreements made where S.R.C.S. provides first aid service in all fields, used for this Super 9 Rugby Tournament, while S.R.U. caters for first aid volunteers’ basic needs by pre-arranging allocation of $100 to S.R.C.S. first aid team who work in the fields during the tournament.”

Namulau’ulu pointed out that the arrangement is to ensure the health and safety of the volunteers so they can “provide effective and efficient first aid and health services. 

“Unfortunately, our first aid team members’ basic needs have been intentionally ignored, despite several requests to the rugby administration. 

“The S.R.C.S. wishes to remind the S.R.U. of its mandatory roles under Government laws as lead agency in first aid (Natural Disaster Act 2007) and as a certified first aid provider and trainer in the country. 

“Accordingly, S.R.C.S. is proactive enough to provide these services, especially in mass gatherings events such as sports and other national events, in case of airing emergencies.” 

Namulauulu, at the time, informed the S.R.U. “that S.R.C.S. will cease its first aid services team from Super 9 Rugby tournaments until the misunderstanding among the S.R.U. administration are worked out.” 

Contacted for a comment, Seiuli Salesa assured that the issue has been resolved and sorted.  

“As mentioned earlier the issue is sorted and the Red Cross volunteers have continued their vital work as usual for the Bluesky Super 9 Rugby Championship without any disruptions,” he said.

“We appreciate and thank the Red Cross Society for the tremendous work they do every Saturday, providing crucial first aid assistance at all match venues.”

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 04 June 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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