Course helps Caritas better coordinate with Defence Force

Gail Robinson, Kaikōkiri Māori for Caritas, went to Trentham Military Camp recently for a two-day gender course, with support from the Council for International Development.

The course, which was followed by a one-day table exercise, brought soldiers, sailors and aviators together with NGOs to explore how the different sectors approach humanitarian response efforts. While most NZDF personnel are not trained humanitarians, the force is often New Zealand’s first responder to disasters across the Pacific, making the opportunity to learn alongside humanitarian agencies particularly valuable.

“Whether we work locally or internationally, in the NZDF or for an NGO, we regularly engage with communities affected by inequality, violence, forced displacement, disaster and social exclusion,” Ms Robinson said. “We are all striving to achieve the same outcome: peace.”

The training was grounded in UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognises the impact of conflict on women and highlights the importance of their full and equal participation in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and post-conflict reconstruction.

Ms Robinson said the training reinforced the importance of recognising that conflict and insecurity can affect women differently, while also highlighting the leadership, resilience and expertise women bring to their communities.

“There was a strong focus on ensuring that women’s voices are included in crisis response and recovery,” she said. “It was valuable to learn from others’ experiences and identify where our approaches align.”

FULL STORY

Caritas strengthens disaster response with NZ Defence Force (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand)