This report covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2010
In brief
Programme purpose: The disaster management programme aimed to strengthen disaster response and preparedness capacities of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) at the institutional level as well as disaster preparedness, mitigation and risk reduction at the community level. The health and care programme targeted contributions towards healthy and safe living by addressing issues relating to HIV and AIDS, emergency health, and community health. The focus of the organizational development programme was to increase the capacity of PRC to address situations of vulnerability by strengthening the skills of its leadership and its support services. Finally, the principles and values programme promoted the fundamental principles and humanitarian values of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Programme summary: Taking forward its disaster management programme, PRC put specific attention on the formation, equipment, training and development of barangay disaster actions teams (BDATs). Two chapters were covered in this regard: Eastern Samar and Leyte. The national society also strived to improve on organizational preparedness by training and equipping land and water search and rescue teams for 18 chapters. It also continued to test and refresh the preparedness capability of its staff, volunteers and community members through workshops, practical simulations and drills.
Health and care programming focused on hygiene and health promotion activities. Prior to undertaking such activities, the national society trained 40 new community health volunteers (CHVs) and re-trained 100 others.
As cases of dengue reached and exceeded the epidemic threshold, PRC intensified community-based interventions. Chapters in affected provinces conducted health education campaigns and mobilized members of affected communities to undertake clean-up campaigns with a view of destroying mosquito-breeding sites.
The national society also provided blood and blood components, and supported health authorities in undertaking surveillance and monitoring of cases. To contribute towards preventing further HIV infections,
PRC undertook HIV awareness campaigns benefitting youth, community members and migrant workers.
Organizational development and capacity building efforts continued in 2010. New members of PRC governing Philippines Appeal No. MAAPH001 27 April 2011 This report covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2010 A Philippine Red Cross emergency response unit (ERU) in a simulation exercise. Throughout the year, PRC organized drills and simulations to enhance its preparedness to respond to disaster. (Photo: Romulo Godinez/PRC)2 board and newly elected members of chapter board of directors were provided with orientation. The national society undertook its strategic planning exercise, whose product was a draft of ‘Philippine Red Cross Strategy 2020’ – the strategic development plan that will guide the national society deliverables until 2020. The draft is awaiting board approval. PRC also worked towards improving its capacity in support services, including human resource management, finance and administration, communications, resource mobilization and information technology. Improvements were made in volunteer management, including recruitment and retention. The national society recruited 99,649 new Project 143 volunteers across 42 chapters nationwide. It also undertook an initiative to determine the number of active volunteers, counting up to 477,365 active volunteers as of April 2010. Also related to volunteering, the national society sampled and determined that its volunteers had put in the equivalent of 77,809 hours, translating to PHP 3.9 million (some CHF 79,456) in monetary value.
Exposition of the fundamental principles and humanitarian values formed an integral part of all programmes. It also entailed highlighting gender issues, creating awareness of non-discrimination and promoting tolerance. In the context of this annual programme plan, in 2010 PRC raised awareness of principles and values mainly among youth in communities and schools, with a view of imparting positive change in behaviour. This was done through various Red Cross youth activities related to health, welfare and the environment.
Financial situation: The total budget for 2010 was CHF 1,046,751. Funding recorded was CHF 1,037,792 or 99 per cent of the budget. Expenditure during the year was CHF 638,053 (or 61 per cent of the budget).The closing balance of CHF 399,739 has been rolled over to 2011 and, so far, is the only income recorded for revised country plan 2011. Partners are encouraged to provide funding support to the revised plan to enable PRC to continue with activities already initiated.