In brief

Programme purpose: The International Federation supported programmes in the West Coast region aim at assisting national societies to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable populations within the framework of the Federation's Global Agenda and in line with ARCHI 2010.

Programme summary: National societies covered by this Appeal update could not effectively implement most of the activities planned for this reporting period because of late or nonavailability of funding. However, some emergency operations were carried out in the areas of disaster management, health and care, and organizational development. Some national societies in the region also carried out some bilateral programmes/projects during the first half of 2008.

Concerning disaster management, Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) with support from the Federation assisted the Chadian refuges who fled into the Nigerian northern town of Ngala. The national society also provided assistance to victims of floods in northern states of the country.

The Benin Red Cross Society, provided assistance to victims of fire outbreak in suburb of Cotonou during the first half of 2008. In health and care, national societies of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana continued to implement their Public Health in Emergency projects. Côte d'Ivoire carried out activities in the area of water and sanitation (watsan). Nigeria commenced its watsan project during this period. Meningitis campaigns were carried out in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and Nigeria. Benin Red Cross through support from the Federation carried out Avian Influenza campaign while NRCS intensified its campaigns against polio and measles. As the NRCS prepared to launch its HIV/AIDS Global Alliance in July 2008, national societies in the region intensified their fight against the disease, though with limited funding. In organizational development, NRCS relocated to its new headquarters complex in Abuja. Workshop on good governance was organized for the new governing board of NRCS. Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) also organized the same workshop for members of its governance. A workshop on management was also organized for headquarters' staff and regional secretaries of GRCS. The Red Cross of Côte d'Ivoire continued to strengthen its capacity with the creation of the post of volunteer development management officer supported by the Federation. National societies in the region continued to promote the humanitarian principles and values. The Benin Red Cross in collaboration with ICRC organized workshop on international humanitarian law (IHL) for some members of the country's armed forces during this reporting period. The NRCS also organized IHL workshop and governance workshop for branch governance members. The Red Cross of Côte d'Ivoire finalized its strategic development plan.

The West Coast regional representation also developed and finalized its plans for national societies in the region for 2009-2010. The regional office has taken over the coordination of Federation supported activities in Sierra Leone. The country delegation closed at the end of March 2008.

Financial situation: The total budget for 2008 is CHF 6,684,545 (USD 6,076,859 or EUR 4,139,037), of which 33 per cent covered (CHF 2,205,899). Expenditure overall was CHF 6,238,069.

See also: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/annual08/MAA61002app.pdf

No. of people we help: Many people including children benefited directly from secretariatsupported programme interventions during the reporting period. Most of these interventions occurred during emergencies. About 1,100,000 million people directly benefited from the meningitis campaigns carried out in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. About 2,000 people benefited from the Chadian refugees operation in Nigeria while 1,000 people benefited from the Benin Red Cross intervention during the fire outbreak operation. Some 12,000 people were direct beneficiaries of avian influenza activities carried out in Benin. Staff, members and volunteers of the Red Cross in the region also benefited from trainings and workshops to strengthen their capacities. With funds available, national societies will scale up their activities to reach an estimated 3.5 million beneficiaries by December 2008.

Our partners: Apart from the partners of the West Coast regional representation such as the Swedish, Irish, and Finish Red Cross Societies, other Movement partners worked on bilateral with national societies in the region. Other partners include the Belgian Red Cross, Netherlands Red Cross and ICRC. UNICEF, WHO, WFP, DFID, Swedish Rescue Service Agency (SRSA), Nestlé and Shell supported projects in the region during the first half of 2008. National societies also worked in partnership with other corporate organizations and government agencies in their respective countries. The West Coast regional office will continue to give support to national societies for more potential partners and donors.