India: Appeal No. MAAIN001 Programme Update No. 4

This report covers the period of 01/06/07 to 31/10/07 of the 2006-07 Appeal.

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

In brief

Programme summary:

During the reporting period, India witnessed heavy monsoon rains resulting in floods that affected millions of people, particularly in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Orissa. The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), through its state and district branches, responded in a timely and effective manner, demonstrating the positive impact of its preparedness initiatives. However, there were some problems with the disaster risk reduction programme (DFID-II).

The IRCS's health programme saw a major boost with the IRCS agreeing to scale-up its HIV interventions during the meeting of the South Asia Global Alliance on HIV, held in Delhi in September. Capacity building initiatives in the area of public health in emergencies ensured a trained pool of staff and volunteers who responded effectively during the floods operation.

In organizational development, the IRCS continued the process of reviewing and revising its current national society strategic development plan (NSDP) for 2007 and developing the next NSDP for 2008-2011. Capacity building initiatives like the branch development planning workshops continued. A national level dissemination, information and reporting workshop was held to develop an effective information and communication system in the national society.

As seen in the table below, the overall funding for Federation-supported programmes has been very good, with coverage at 114 per cent. However, expenditure during the reporting period was low, with only 29 per cent spent against the total 2007 budget. The main reasons for this relate to procedural and administrative delays between headquarters and branches.

Needs: Total 2006-2007 budget is CHF 8,022,288 (USD 7,183,873 or EUR 4,876,556). Of this, the 2007 budget is CHF 4,486,358 (USD 4,018,426 or EUR 2,727,360) out of which 114% is covered. Please note that the financials reflect income for 2007 only.

No. of people we helped: The number of people who benefited directly from Federation programme interventions from June to October 2007 are as shown in the table below:

Our Partners: Approximately 30 government agencies, national and international organizations, the United Nations, developmental agencies and partners within the Movement. The main donors for 2007 included the Swedish, British, American, Hong Kong, Japanese, Spanish, German, Finnish, Italian, Canadian, Singapore and Irish Red Cross Societies, as well as the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID).

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

- Indian Red Cross Society: Dr. S.P. Agarwal (secretary general), email: spagarwalsg@indianredcross.org; phone: +91.11.2371.6424; fax: +91.11.23711.7454

- Federation country office in India: Mohamed Babiker (head of office), email: mohamed.babiker@ifrc.org; phone: +91.11.2332.4203; fax: +91.11.233.4235

- Federation South Asia regional office in India: Al Panico (head of regional office), email: al.panico@ifrc.org; phone: +91.11.2411.1125; fax: +91.11.2411.1128

- Federation Asia Pacific zone in Malaysia: Jagan Chapagain (deputy head of zone), email: jagan.chapagain@ifrc.org, phone: +603.2161.0892, fax: +603.2161.1210

- Federation Secretariat in Geneva (Management support team): Hiroto Oyama (officer – Asia Pacific); email: secretariat.zonesupport@ifrc.org; phone: +44.22.730.4273; fax: +41.22.733.0395