This report covers the period 1/7/2007 to 31/10/2007 of the 2006-07 appeal.
In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.
In brief
Programme Summary: There have been no dramatic events during this reporting period. Response to the tsunami in Solomon Islands in April continues, and the French Red Cross have completed their work and left the country. The Secretariat-supported work in shelter is almost complete and will be finished during the next few weeks. The final part of the response will be a water and sanitation activity during the first half of 2008.
The economic recovery in Fiji following the change of Government last December remains sluggish. Figures published by the Government and other economic watchers all show a slow-down in trade figures. The Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS) will soon appoint a new secretary general - PNGRCS has faced staff shortages during the reporting period and the Federation delegation has been facing severe funding constraints to the point where we must seriously consider what, if any, future there is for the delegation. National society action and activities have continued and flourished during the period, including a three-day disaster simulation in Fiji, attended by 14 national societies of the Pacific, as well as a week-long Pacific-wide health forum, where plans for the coming two years was finalized. In organizational development, a road map was made, which will result in Tuvalu Red Cross being recognized and admitted to the Movement in 2009. Partnerships have been strengthened with international and Pacific-based organizations; the abovementioned activities were all held with the participation of other international organizations with Pan Pacific responsibilities and mandates.
A fully-funded delegate was provided from the Australian Red Cross to the Federation in June 2007. As such, the Appeal budget was revised upwards from CHF 6,451,998 to CHF 6,638,005, to reflect the in-kind value of this contribution towards the in-country core costs of the Federation delegation in Papua New Guinea. However, the overall financial situation, as reported in update No. 3, remains a cause for concern. The coverage of the Appeal at the end of October is 64 per cent. The regional office for south Pacific and the Papua New Guinea delegation face serious shortfalls in running proposed programmes in 2008 and 2009. Programmes in risk reduction, disaster management, health and organizational development have all been promoted but are receiving little promise of support into the future. A partnership meeting will be held in March of next year where the direction of the delegations will be addressed. Unfortunately, programme support and technical assistance will need to be cut in the early part of 2008, and momentum has already been lost in the area of financial management support to national societies since the delegate working on this was not replaced. It is of the utmost importance that agreed directions and plans are formulated for the delegations by the first half of 2008.
However, emergency responses during the period have been well supported in all respects, including with funds.
Needs: Total 2006-2007 budget is CHF 6,638,005 (USD 5.94 million or EUR 4.02 million), out of which 64% is covered. Outstanding needs are CHF 2,368,487 (USD 2.12 million or EUR 1.44 million).
Our Partners: During this period, the delegation worked with 14 national societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in two countries, the whole United Nations (UN) family based in Suva and four regional organizations.
How we work
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
The International Federation's activities are aligned with its 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:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
Contact information
For further information specifically related to this Appeal please contact:
- In Suva: Mr. Frank Kennedy, Head of regional office, Federation regional office in the Pacific, email: frank.kennedy@ifrc.org, phone: +91 11 2411 1122, fax: +91 11 2411 1128.
- In Kuala Lumpur: Jagan Chapagain, Deputy head of zone, email: jagan.chapagain@ifrc.org, phone: +603 2161 0892, fax: +603 2161 1210.