Attachments
Executive Summary
A change in leadership was the catalyst for strengthening the auxiliary role of the Argentine Red Cross Society (ARCS). Informed by the results of an assessment of its organisational capacity, the new leadership team launched a transformation agenda to modernise ARCS and increase its relevance, reach and sustainability. The core components of this agenda were updating the Red Cross Law, leadership and branch development, gender equality, accountability, and transparency, and strengthening relationships with public authorities. The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, along with its donors, has played an instrumental role in supporting the key elements of this journey.
Investment in legislative advocacy, humanitarian diplomacy, public relations and partnering with public authorities at all levels, have been at the centre of the ARCS’s reinforced auxiliary status. These initiatives have provided the ARCS with the legal, relational and reputational channels necessary to supplement and, at times, replace the efforts of public authorities in tasks such as disaster-risk reduction, preparedness and response, health promotion, community health and First Aid, medical transport and social-support programmes.
Commissioned by the IFRC, ICRC and British Red Cross, this case study aims to identify the associations between long-term investment in the development of National Societies, and changes in services and their impact at community level. The case study demonstrates how a better-defined auxiliary role allowed the National Society to supplement and fill gaps in the COVID-19 pandemic response of public authorities, from epidemic control to home care and livelihood activities. Acting as a trusted intermediary between private donors and public authorities, the National Society facilitated the procurement of COVID-19-related supplies, equipment and medicines using private donations, which were then offered to public-health institutions. The IFRC, with its global sourcing and supply-chain management capabilities, was an important supporter in this process. The case study further highlights how the updated Red Cross Law has increased the ARCS’s reach to underserved communities. Prime examples include a collaboration in Northern Salta, where the ARCS partners with local authorities to deliver clean water, health, hygiene and community-development initiatives, serving thousands of indigenous households; and its role as a social auditor of public water-supply programmes.