This report covers the period 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010.
In brief
Programme outcome: The programmes supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Belarus are in line with the Strategy 2020 strategic aims to save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disaster and crises; to enable healthy and safe living; and to build strong National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Programme(s) summary: There is a growing understanding at all levels of the Belarus Red Cross that developing volunteering is the main way to make its service delivery in local communities more effective and fulfilling the mission of the organization. Thanks to volunteers the activities in the district branches on social assistance for vulnerable people and promotion of humanitarian values are becoming more regular, planned and focused. Volunteer community-based activities raise the image of the Red Cross as a humanitarian non-governmental organization, attract public attention to the problems of vulnerable groups, and serve as an effective tool for local resource mobilization. It is obvious that volunteer development and promotion, which is currently on the rise within the National Society, contributes significantly to organizational development/capacity building and performance.
A revision of the Belarus Red Cross law has been initiated by the by Belarusian lawmakers.
However the revisions proposed by the National Society, mainly related to tax benefits and financial support from the government, have not been included in the draft law. The Belarus Red Cross and IFRC continue lobbying for fiscal concessions from the government. A bronze bust of Henry Dunant was unveiled on the eve of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in Minsk. High level representatives from the European Union, the United Nations, ambassadors, ministries of health and justice, and city authorities attended the opening ceremony. The erection of the bust was made possible with the support of ICRC, IFRC, Japanese Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross, German Red Cross and Belarus Red Cross funds.
Financial situation: The total 2010 budget is CHF 1,673,018 of which CHF 919,607 (55 per cent) covered during the reporting period (including opening balance). The budget was increased from initially CHF 1,281,297 due to increased funding. Overall expenditure during the reporting period was CHF 728,727. Expenditure against budget was 43 per cent and expenditure against funding was 79 per cent.
No. of people we help: More than 150,000 people in Belarus benefited directly from the Federation secretariat supported programme interventions. More than 450,000 people were reached indirectly through mass information campaigns.
Our partners: The Belarus Red Cross cooperates with nine partner National Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UN agencies, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC), NGOs, the national centre for blood donation, national AIDS centre, ministries and governmental organizations, universities and other educational institutions, mass media as well as international and local enterprises. Concept notes and project proposals for EU funding were submitted by the Belarus Red Cross in cooperation with partner National Societies and IFRC.