This report covers the period 01/01/06 to 31/12/07 of a two-year planning and appeal process.
In brief
Programme summary:
Good progress was made over the two years in the areas of increased networking, partnership and integrated programming. Initiatives to improve cooperation between national societies such as the secretaries general forum, the disaster management working group, regular regional health forums and integrated OD/health/DM forum were all strengthened and formalized. A key emphasis was on integrated programming, with a number of initiatives to collaborate on joint planning, training and capacity building initiatives throughout the region. In addition, progress was made in capacity building and skills and knowledge development in all areas, with a number of formal in informal trainings and workshops, resource packs and curriculum being developed across the sectors.
In 2006, the financial situation was positive for health and disaster management, but humanitarian values and organizational development programmes were less well covered. Funding was therefore a major problem throughout the regional office in 2007, as reflected in the final funding coverage figures below. A key factor was the gradual withdrawal of tsunami funding in 2007.
There were ongoing constraints and delays in programme implementation due to security situations in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
|
Health
|
DM
|
HV
|
OD
|
C & I
|
Total
|
|
| Revised 06 / 07 budget |
2,395,613
|
1,442,162
|
177,187
|
1,012,689
|
500,675
|
5,528,325
|
| Total 06 07 funding |
1,873,459
|
801,618
|
83,465
|
603,542
|
408,019
|
3,770,104
|
| Expenditure 06 07 |
1,433,006
|
751,248
|
83,276
|
584,103
|
404,974
|
3,256,606
|
| Funding coverage |
78%
|
56%
|
47%
|
60%
|
81%
|
68%
|
| Expenditure as % of funding |
76%
|
94%
|
100%
|
97%
|
99%
|
86%
|
| Expenditure as % budget |
60%
|
52%
|
47%
|
58%
|
81%
|
59%
|
The total 2006-2007 budget was CHF 5,528,325 (USD 4.94 million or EUR 3.35 million), of which 68 per cent was covered. Overall expenditure against funding for the period was 86 per cent. The slightly low expenditure (76 per cent) for the health programme is mainly due to activities which could not be carried out under the HIV/AIDS project as a result of the lack of project staff for much of 2007, as explained in the relevant programme section below.
No. of people we help: The regional delegation assisted directly six national societies, one in formation (in the Maldives), and seven Federation country delegations.
Our partners: External partners include the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), the Health Institute for Mother and Child (Mamta), Naz Foundation and the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+), Geohazards International, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the British Council, Reuters and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). There is also collaboration with a number of international news agencies.
Key Movement partners are the International Committee of the Red Cross and the national societies of Canada, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Spain and Sweden.
Context
Throughout the two years, the region experienced internal conflict, terrorist attacks and many challenges. Overall stability and significant improvements in the economy continued in India but there was constantly fluctuating political unrest in all other countries. Security problems were especially prevalent in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, making it often difficult to schedule visits and activities to provide an optimum level of support.
In 2006, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Afghanistan all experienced flooding or landslides following the monsoon but the effects were relatively minor, and were managed largely using existing resources in the region. In 2007, however as was well documented, the flooding was some of the worst experienced in living memory, in addition to which the cyclones in Pakistan and Bangladesh placed considerable strain on resources at all levels. However, the operations all went smoothly.
One of the most significant ongoing health threats in the region remains the relentless spread of HIV/AIDS. The rate of people recorded as living with HIV/AIDS has increased alarmingly. Supporting the scaling up of the HIV/AIDS programme across the region, and more recently to the Global Alliance on HIV are key efforts made by the regional office.
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. See www.ifrc.org for more details
The Federation's Global Agenda
The International Federation undertakes activities that 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 operation please contact:
Al Panico, Head of regional office, Delhi, India, email: al.panico@ifrc.org; phone: +91.11.2411.1125; fax: +91.11.2411.1128
Jagan Chapagain, Deputy head of Zone, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, email: jagan.chapagain@ifrc.org; phone +60 3 2161 0892, fax + 60 3 2161 1210, mobile + 60 12 215 3765.