Attachments
OVERALL PROGRESS
Context
The humanitarian consequences stemming from the escalated armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the first quarter of 2022 continue to dominate the operational landscape of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), as well as for the Belarus Red Cross and the Russian Red Cross Society. Steps have been taken to boost the capacities of both National Societies, particularly in the areas of branch development, strategic engagement and partnerships. In Russia, this involved identifying domestic resources for mobilization and cultivating interactions with both internal and external stakeholders, affiliated with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement or otherwise. However, the uneasy political situation led to hesitance among donors to contribute to activities in Belarus and Russia, which in its turn introduced an element of uncertainty into the sustainable funding of regular programmes.
Belarus
Belarus faces significant economic vulnerability, heavily relying on trade with Russia. The COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, deteriorating relations with the EU and the Ukrainian crisis leading to sanctions, have further weakened its economy. The country’s most vulnerable groups include older people, individuals with disabilities, single-parent families, and migrants.
Demographically, Belarus is experiencing rapid aging. By 2019, about 15.2 per cent of the population was aged 65 or older, a trend accelerating in rural areas. Projections indicate that by 2030, this group will comprise 21 per cent of the population.
Russia
Russia, the world’s largest country, spans 11 time zones and has a diverse climate. As of 2021, its population reached 147.2 million, characterized by low birth rates, high mortality and an aging population. The country faces economic shifts due to urbanization and migration, with poverty affecting 9.8 per cent of the population. Unemployment hit a low of 3.5 per cent in early 2023, amidst concerns about skilled worker shortages. The Ukrainian crisis has strained the economy further, and natural hazards like floods and forest fires pose additional challenges.