By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The Palau Red Cross Society has elected a new set of officers during its annual general membership meeting at the Koror State Assembly Hall on Tuesday night Feb. 27.
Maria Rehuher was the new chairperson replacing Ngchesar Governor Duane Hideo. The others are Clara Kalsheur (Vice Chairperson) and Emery Wenty (Secretary/Treasurer) while the Members of the Board are Sen. Santy Asanuma, Bureau of Lands and Surveys Director Gilbert Demei, Mary Ann Delemel (formerly of Palau Visitors Authority, Allan Tuppil of Palau Royal Resort and Salome Villaflor of Tia Belau.
The election of new officers was followed by committee reports especially on the successful blood donation campaigns and other activities.
Executive Director Miriam Chin discussed the previous year’s accomplishments of the PRCS as well as the new challenges that it is currently facing.
Chin said that the PRCS would be having its 10th year anniversary on Nov. 26 but the celebration starts as early as May 5, which is the birthday of Red Cross Society’s founder Henry Durnants.
A committee will be established to work on this year’s plan, which includes public relations, fundraising and other related activities.
PRCS services include fire victims (4), blood donors, military casework (55), CRP and First Aid (300), HIV Aids, Avian Influenza.
Trips for the staff that included Chin, Rehuher, Kalssheur, Eboy Sakuma, Steve Albert and Gino Camacho were Fiji, Malaysia, Thailand, Sydney, Japan and Geneva.
Chin discussed new things that are happening in Society such as the new nametag for the International Federation of Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal Society.
The Asia-Pacific Region will be divided into three sub-regions and the head of the Regional Delegation, Alberto Pansisni has been replaced.
Chin also said that Malcolm McKinley, who had provided Palau with technical and financial support is now in Thailand. His replacement is Adrianne Cravatt.
Chin also said that the American Red Cross has agreed to help Palau and Micronesia Red Cross with disaster preparedness programs.
Some 14 Iridium phones, which were donated by the government of New Zealand, are intended for Kayangel, Angaur, Tobi, Sonsorol, Chairperson, President and Vice President of Palau, Civic Action Team, Ministry of Justice, National Emergency Management Office.
New VHF Radios (movable repeater) equipment and as well as new staff Harley Fletcher.
Chin said that the biggest challenges are the completion this year of the three-year Japan/Palau Bilateral First Aid Program, new building, fundraising, a constitution and by-laws and volunteer involvement and commitment.
"We will be working more on image building, public relations and fundraising,’ Chin said.
This includes the annual marathon in May.