Attachments
This report covers the period 01/01/2006 to 31/12/2007 of a two-year planning and appeal process.
In brief
Programme summary
The security situation in the country has deteriorated steadily over the two years, leading to some decreased implementation rate of the programmes, and consequently support from the partners also declined over the two years in some areas.
Due principally to these factors, the disaster management (DM) programme budget was revised down almost 40 per cent in 2006-2007. Despite these challenges, the Afghanistan Red Crescent (ARCS) DM programme's key achievements included finalization of the DM strategic plan for 2008-2012, operational planning for 2008-2009, completion of standard operating procedures (SOPs), needs assessment and capacity building, the construction of a warehouse, establishment of two disaster response units in two regions, conducting DM-related training workshops, response to frequent disasters and strengthening partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
The health programme witnessed a significant progress in its four project components, including the finalization of the health strategic plan and operational plan for 2008-2009. Major achievements include conducting different types of trainings for the ARCS health staff, conducting and participating in all health stakeholders coordination meetings including with the ministry of public health, United Nations related agencies, Movement partners and other non-governmental organizations, supporting 34 ARCS clinics and the operation of ten emergency medical units (EMU) teams, supporting the community-based first aid (CBFA) project and expanding it to new provinces, and initiating and supporting the HIV/AIDS prevention project.
2006-2007 also saw major achievements for the organizational development (OD) programme in its five project components, notwithstanding some complex challenges in the change process. The main achievements include the revision of the ARCS constitution, development of the ARCS human resources regulations and finance system manuals and forms as well as its youth policy. In addition, the national society also saw the finalization of a five-year strategic plan and membership regulations, the establishment of a youth club and preparation for two other in the future, training of over 26,590 members and staff of ARCS, conducting two youth national camps, and providing the opportunity for the youth volunteers to participate in youth exchange programmes.
The humanitarian values programme was implemented under the organizational development programme in 2007. This programme had a slow beginning as the concept of a HV programme was quite new to the ARCS. Despite this, the main achievements of the HV during the period was dissemination of the Movement Fundamental Principles, improved profile of the ARCS and Movement partners, Movement activities and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) due to the promotion activities of ARCS volunteers in schools and local communities. One of the major and outstanding achievements of this programme was increased participation of women in such activities. The HV plan for 2008-2009, including a logical framework and programme matrices, were also completed during this period.
Financial situation: The total 2006-2007 budget was CHF 9,606,168 (USD 8.59 million or EUR 5.82 million), of which 91 per cent was covered. Overall expenditure against income for the period was 77 per cent.
No. of people we help:
|
Programme title
|
Total no. of beneficiaries
| ||
|
Men
|
Women
|
Total
| |
| Disaster management |
65,860
|
53,885
|
119,745
|
| Health and care |
1,041,951
|
859,019
|
1,900,971
|
| Organizational development |
18,350
|
8,240
|
26,590
|
| Humanitarian values |
40,470
|
77,100
|
117,570
|
DM indirect beneficiaries: 300,000 (Men: 195,000/Women: 105,000)
Our partners: Approximately 20 partners, including key government ministries, the United Nations and its agencies, organizations recognized under the government's national disaster management plan, and partners within the Movement.
The main donors for 2006-2007 so far include the Swedish, Finish, Japanese, British, Hong Kong, Australian, American and Norwegian Red Cross Societies.
Context
Frequent violent incidents, including armed attacks, explosions, suicide bombings, kidnapping of foreigners, combined with small and large scale natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, landslides and two harsh winters made 2006 and 2007 the most difficult and volatile years for humanitarian action in Afghanistan since the new government came to power in 2001.
After the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces assumed the lead military role in Afghanistan from US troops in July 2006, Afghanistan experienced a new round of violence that was previously uncommon in the country. The security situation in the provinces, particularly in the south, south-west, east and west of the country was very tense. In some parts, the Taliban managed to seize and control some districts and challenge Afghan and NATO forces. Southern provinces experienced huge military operations, led by NATO and Afghan forces, against the Taliban which in some cases caused civilian casualties.
Despite concerted efforts by the Afghan government and its international allies, the situation is not yet stable and under control. The critical security situation during 2006/2007 was a major obstacle for aid agencies to reach remote and needy areas, especially as some of foreigners including aid-workers were targeted and abducted by anti-government and other criminal groups.
As a result of this deteriorating situation the security restrictions for both the Federation and the ARCS have increased significantly. This prevented either party carry out monitoring and evaluation field visits in rural areas and limited the implementation of planned activities by the ARCS. However, Federation staff were still able to make limited field trips to ARCS branches and its sub-delegations. The ARCS and Federation therefore relied mostly on monthly reports being filed from sub-offices in Jalalabad, Herat, Mazar and Kandahar to the national headquarters in Kabul.
Contact information
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
Afghanistan Red Crescent Society: Fatima Gailani (President); email: fatigli@yahoo.com; mobile: +93.79.385.533
Federation country delegation in Afghanistan: Pepe Salmela (Head of delegation); email: pepe.salmela@ifrc.org; mobile: +93.700.274.881; fax: +87.37.6304.3426
Federation South Asia regional office in India: Al Panico (Head of regional office); email: al.panico@ifrc.org; phone: +91.11. 2411.1125; fax: +91.11. 2411.1128
Federation Asia Pacific Zone office in Malaysia: Jagan Chapagain (Deputy head of zone); email: jagan.chapagain@ifrc.org; phone:+603.9207.5702; fax: +603.2161.0670