JOINews April


	View in browser

Monthly Newsletter

April 2021

News from the Network

JOIN cooperation to support Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea currently sees a significant increase in severe cases of COVID-19 infection and widespread, uncontrolled transmission of the virus, causing the World Health Organisation to issue an international appeal for medical assistance to the country. On 8th April, Johanniter International Assistance joined the national St John Ambulance sister organisation on the ground with volunteers from our German and Austrian JOIN members. St John Ambulance Papua New Guinea set up a field hospital with 296 beds on behalf of the government to isolate and care for patients suffering from COVID-19. Continue reading

Latvian version of JOIN European First Aid Guidelines published

The JOIN European First Aid Guidelines are now available in Latvian for free use. The manual offers a basic level of first aid for members of the general public and is compatible with current practice, with other specialist guidelines and with the existing evidence base. Read the ‘Eiropas Pirmās palīdzības vadlīnijas’ here.

JOIN members at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic

The pandemic has taken different courses within various countries. While some places see the numbers in cases decline, others fight a new rise. No matter where, the support of our members is uninterrupted. In Malta, St John Ambulance volunteers support the national Health Department vaccination programme; Johanniter Germany opened new test centres and distributed protective supplies; Johannita in Hungary provided food gifts to the COVID department of a local hospital, and in England, St John Ambulance created a series of free online learning packages to teach first aid. As in-person training was allowed again, they blended the digital training with COVID-safe face-to-face classes. Read all about the various activities within the JOIN network here.

News from the Members

England: St John Ambulance offers free webinars on mental health

From 10th to 14th May, our English member will offer free webinars on mental health. Everyone can sign up for the hour-long webinar with helpful tips and resources on how to improve one’s own wellbeing and support friends, colleagues or family. Among the topics covered are tools to reduce stress, how to spot when you or a colleague may need support, tips on coping with change and adversity, etc. Find all details here.

Germany: New type of ambulance vehicles for regional association Lower Saxony/Bremen

The Lower Saxony/Bremen regional association of Johanniter has put twelve new ambulances vehicles into service. These were delivered to the local Johanniter branches. The new type of vehicle allows the organisations to expand their range of operations in civil protection and disaster control. The vehicles are equipped with a ’roll container system’ newly developed by Johanniter. The concept enables the operators to transport material faster, more flexibly and efficiently. It also puts less strain on the operators making two people sufficient to unload the vehicle quickly and easily. Read more (in German) here.

The Netherlands: Johanniter Easter celebration online

The Johanniter Orde shares its Easter celebration with everyone by putting online the special service for the members of the Order, guests and volunteers of Johanniter Nederland. In this way, the Dutch Order seeks to reach as many people as possible with the message of hope and courage. You can watch the celebration (in Dutch) here.

Order of St John: Overview of the international pandemic actions

While in some parts of the world, the pandemic is slowly declining and people adjust to the ‘new normal’, other countries see a surge in new cases and are currently facing a third wave, despite vaccination programmes being rolled out. The Order of St John compiled an overview of its organisations which continue to provide life-saving support to their communities in the fight against the pandemic. Read about the actions of the volunteers, staff and members in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific here.

News from Europe

First calls of the new ‘Horizon Europe’ funding program available

‘Horizon Europe’ is the new funding programme for research and innovation for the years 2021 to 2027. It is replacing ‘Horizon 2020’ and has a budget of 95 billion EUR. The first calls are available on this link, and the JOIN Office would be delighted to submit project proposals involving its member organisations.

International Earth Day celebrations

On 22nd April, the world celebrated International Earth Day under the theme ‘Restore our Earth’. The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing fragilities and deepened inequalities. According to the United Nations, almost 235 million people – 1 in every 33 people worldwide - will need humanitarian assistance in 2021. While many of our members provide humanitarian aid worldwide, they also show that fighting the climate crisis and protecting the environment can start with small steps locally. In Bavaria, a Johanniter kindergarten started a campaign on Earth Day by collecting garbage in front of the kindergarten and the nursery, on parking lots and on various streets. Read more (in German) here.

Johanniter International

Rue Joseph II, 166,

1000 Brussels, Belgium

join.office@johanniter.org

Unsubscribe