Executive summary
Since the war ended in 1995 Bosnia and Herzegovina has moved towards peace and reconciliation. Efforts are ongoing to establish a new national constitution which would form the basis for increased cohesion and countrywide cooperation. Although the country has experienced positive developments and economical growth in recent years, political, economic as well as social challenges remain to be resolved. The country has an exceptionally high unemployment rate, poverty is widespread and among the population several groups face hardship and vulnerabilities. These are poor families with children, pensioners and elderly people, disabled people, internally displaced persons and minorities, people at risk of being trafficked to mention some. In addition to political and socio-economical issues, various natural and man-made disasters hit the country almost every year. The level of poverty and already existing vulnerabilities in the country increases the risk to, and the potential destructive effects of, these phenomena for the most vulnerable.
The Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only humanitarian actor covering the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The National Society is currently working within the areas of disaster management, health and care, organizational development and fundamental principles and humanitarian values. Thus the work of the society is aligned with the Global Agenda Goals. Within disaster management focus is on national response disaster teams (NDRTs) as well as community management disaster capacity. Mobile technical teams will ensure emergency support to minority returnees and other vulnerable people.
Health and care activities within the society cover HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and harm reduction. A main activity is, however, home care services to vulnerable elderly people. Voluntary non-remunerated blood donation and first aid are additional activities carried out by the National Society.
The Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently aiming to change and enhance its governance and management structure. The intention is to establish systems based on one elected president and one secretary general for four years. Following these efforts the National Society seeks to establish a qualification-based recruitment system, as well as undertake management and development training for staff and volunteers to raise their skills.
The promotion of the Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values are integrated elements of all activities as well as the profiling of the National Society. The National Society is currently exploring the need for and the National Society's capacity to address new vulnerable groups such as victims of human trafficking.
The International Federation's representative office in Bosnia and Herzegovina will support the National Society's programmes covering disaster management, health and care, organizational development and Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values during 2009 and 2010. The National Society's programmes have been reviewed and adapted to the International Federation's Global Agenda Goals, Federation of the Future Framework for Action and to the resolutions of the VII European Regional Conference of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of June 2007 (the Istanbul Commitments). All programmes supported by the International Federation office in Sarajevo are based on the strategic priorities and plans of the National Society. The 2009-2010 plan reflects the work of the society towards scaling up programme activities with emphasis on the health and social care including working within the Global Alliance on HIV. The support is characterised by technical advice on all aspects of programme planning and management, training, information sharing, advocacy and active promotion of programmes in conjunction with regional and cross regional networks as indicated in the Federation Secretariat Support Strategy for Central Europe 2006 - 2009.
The total 2009-2010 budget is CHF 2,064,631 (USD 1,887,232 or EUR 1,315,052).