This report covers the period 01 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

In brief

Programme outcome

This report presents the progress on the implementation of the 2011 Country Support Plan for the Nicaraguan Red Cross (NRC). The Nicaraguan Red Cross work is guided by the Guayaquil Inter- American Plan 2007–2011 and Strategy 2020, which puts forward three strategic aims:

1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disaster and crises.
2. Enable healthy and safe living.
3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.

Programmes summary

In 2011, the secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) worked with the Nicaraguan Red Cross (NRC) to strengthen its organizational development and actions in health and care.

The National Society received on-site assistance from the secretariat to support its governance and management bodies respond to institutional integrity risks. Assistance, with resources from the SOS Fund, also was given to search for solutions to priorities issues such as internal organization and the strengthening of their strategies for fundraising, branch diagnostics, communication and public image.

The secretariat has supported the NRC Youth area to organize an internship with the Mexican Red Cross, implement micro-projects, and coordinate with the regional youth. The NRC is monitoring the installation of a new accounting and financial software. Furthermore, support was provided on volunteering for the future development of a volunteer database.

The communication strategy, the research on the NRC‟s image, and a branch diagnostics completed during the year have directly and indirectly benefitted the Principle and Values programme, allowing the National Society to identify strengths and weaknesses and obtain specific recommendations to internally and externally strengthen this area. The NRC has new printed materials for distribution and training on the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and leadership, especially addressed to the youth population. The Canadian Red Cross, with secretariat support, coordinated with the NRC to train leaders, volunteers, and administrative staff in the ten-step training programme on violence prevention.

During the reporting period, the secretariat continued supporting the Nicaraguan Red Cross‟ health department. The National Society‟s health department has been working in coordination with the Nicaraguan Commission for AID (CONSIDA), implementing prevention actions prioritizing key groups such as in and out school youth and mobile workers as taxi drivers. Also, the NRC has been engaged in advocacy to reduce prevalence of infectious diseases, as well as the promotion of volunteer non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD). In 2011, the NRC started to implement the revitalized Federation‟s Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) in Action strategy as part of their community health initiatives, working with vulnerable communities. The capacities to respond health in emergencies situations have been strength through training of volunteers, there is a need to increase the health in emergencies training focus on epidemic control and psychosocial support.

Secretariat support has focused on strengthening the National Society‟s response to epidemics and outbreaks, sharing lessons learned with peer national societies; waste, sanitation and hygiene promotion through technical units; and on contributing to safe blood supplies trough increasing regular youth blood donation and promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth through support of the Club 25 initiative of the Nicaraguan Red Cross blood service.