This appeal seeks CHF 5,413,3331 to fund programmes and activities to be implemented in 2006 and 2007. These programmes are aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".

Global Agenda Goals:

1. Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.

2. Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.

3. Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.

4. Reduce intolerance, discrimination and s ocial exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

The International Federation's is the world's largest humanitarian organization, and its millions of volunteers are active in over 183 countries. Our aim is to build safer communities, able to prevent and respond to human suffering in times of crises and distress, and where people work together to promote hope, dignity and equity. We work to support vulnerable communities through neutral, impartial, independent humanitarian action, in accordance with our Fundamental Principles, the Code of Conduct and the Sphere project's Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.

Programmes	2006 Budget in CHF	2007 Budget in CHF	Total Budget in CHF
Health and Care	1,026,933	1,349,185	2,376,118
Disaster Management	464,216	464,216	928,432
Humanitarian Values	119,904	87,818	207,722
Organizational Development	556,567	758,962	1,315,529
Implementation and Coordination	317,953	267,579	585,532
Totals	2,485,573	2,927,760	5,413,333

Regional context

This appeal is for regional programmes supporting Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies in six countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Federation activities in the Maldives2. With the exception of the Maldives, all are highly disaster-prone. They are hit by annual monsoon flooding and landslides. Several areas in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan are high-risk earthquake zones. Drought is an ever-present risk in most of the countries as well.

Countries in South Asia are generally poor performers in human development indicators. Across the region there are significant issues relating to access to health services, poor water and sanitation, under-nourishment and stigma and discrimination against the most vulnerable. The following table provides a snapshot of some of the challenges confronting countries in the region.3

Footnotes:

(1) EUR 3,502,641 or USD 4,228,175

(2) The Maldives currently has no national society.

For further information please contact:

In India: Robert McKerrow, Head of Regional Delegation, email: bob.mckerrow@ifrc.org, or Nina Nobel, Regional Programme Coordinator, email: nina.nobel@ifrc.org, phone: +91 11 2685 8671, fax: +9111 2685 7567.

In Geneva: Jagan Chapagain, Regional Officer, Asia and Pacific Department, email: jagan.chapagain@ifrc.org, phone: +41 22 7304316, fax: +41 22 733 0395 or Nelly Khrabraya; email: nelly.khrabraya@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4306; Fax: +41.22.733.0395.

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