Attachments
Executive Summary
A change in leadership at the Mongolia Red Cross Society (MRCS) led to substantive investment in strengthening its auxiliary role. In 2013, in response to the National Society’s mediocre reputation and to expand its humanitarian reach and impact, the new leadership team initiated a change programme focused on transforming MRCS’s culture, modernising its systems, and strengthening the auxiliary role. Key elements of the change process involved updating the MRCS Law and internal statutes, enhancing corporate governance processes, developing, and decentralising authority to branches, and maintaining a steadfast focus on addressing vulnerability.
Investment in legislative advocacy, humanitarian diplomacy, public advocacy and partnering with public authorities at all levels have been at the centre of MRCS’s reinforced auxiliary status. These initiatives have provided the MRCS with the legal, relational, and reputational channels necessary to supplement and, at times, replace the efforts of public authorities in tasks such as disaster preparedness and response, First Aid, water, sanitation, hygiene and immunisation services, psychosocial and mental health services, and humanitarian assistance to migrants and displaced people. The MRCS’s fulfilment of its auxiliary role has been contingent on parallel investment in National Society Development. The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its generous donors have played an instrumental role in supporting key elements of this development journey.
Through the lens of disaster-risk management, this case study demonstrates how a better-defined auxiliary role has allowed the National Society to significantly contribute to anticipatory action, preparedness, and emergency response operations, positively impacting the lives of thousands of households. This case also highlights how the public authorities in Mongolia, through their collaboration with the MRCS, have accessed and benefitted from the resources and expertise available within the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network.