Red Cross opens new headquarter

The Samoa Red Cross celebrated the opening of its new $2.2million headquarter at Tuana'imatao on Thursday.

The opening of the building “commemorates not just International Red Cross Day, it also signals a renewed commitment of the Samoa Red Cross Society to our community and the people of Samoa,” according to a press release.

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, said it is a “dream come true” for the Samoa Red Cross to have such a building.

“It was last September that a ground breaking ceremony took place on this land for the construction of this beautiful building to accommodate the Red Cross Organization,” he said.

“It is a dream come true for the organisation and the government acknowledges the good cooperative efforts; determination, money and time invested by all those who were involved in this project.

“I’m informed that this building was officially designed to accommodate facilities required for the Society's daily operations and requirements including trainings and conference rooms.

“Surely, this will further improve the response activities of the Society.

“This project is a further demonstration of our government’s enduring partnership with the Samoa Red Cross and its development partners in strengthening humanitarian systems programs for the benefit of our people.”

The reason why Tuanaimatao was chosen was because it is next door to other government organisations who are working with Red Cross, such as the National Emergency Operation Centre, Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority, Samoa Victim Support and other organisations for sports.

The history of the building project was outlined by Samoa Red Cross Vice President, Matatauali'itia Afa Lesa.

“The responsibility that was given to the Project Manager Leiataua Isikuki Punivalu was to prepare the designs, supervise the work and advise on various activities or aspects of the project.

“Ten contractors submitted bids for the project however, the project manager recommended that Tavita Designs Contract be awarded with the contract because not only the price is right and it fits the budget but also of excellent workmanship.

“The ground breaking was witnessed by some of the distinguish guests who are present here today in September.

“Construction was supposed to take six months”, he said.

“But unfortunately we cannot control the climate and the weather was not favourable for the construction period that we had selected.

“The energy provided for the building is provided by the 10.5 kilowatts solar system, with 42 solar panels installed at the top of the roof of the building.

“The funding of the project represents the balance of $1.7 million left over from a donation of over $4.2 million by citizens of New Zealand that was given to the New Zealand Red Cross by Trustee Board Fund.

“This donation saw emergency response funds from the 2009 tsunami directed towards a permanent legacy for the Samoa Red Cross.

“When we saw that the fund was being used on the various projects from the Tsunami and other projects and this balance of NZD $1.7 million, which converted into $3.8 million tala was used for building and other projects, which were included in the budget of New Zealand Red Cross.”

Samoa Red Cross President, Va'asilifiti Moelagi Jackson said the new headquarter of S.R.C. also strengthens their work in effective IT'S BRAND NEW: The new headquarters for the Samoa Red Cross at Tuana'imato.

emergency relief, disaster preparedness, and health and community care programmes.

“All our operations will now be housed under the new building.”

Secretary General of S.R.C., Namulaulu Tautala Mauala said the new headquarter would enable better coordination across emergency sectors.

“From the headquarters we will coordinate our national work, ensuring the quality and timeliness of our response in times of disasters, and continue our community activities,”

The event concluded with Samoan tradition songs from the staff of the Samoa Red Cross.