The Russian Red Cross will be again represented in the IFRC Governing Board after a decade-long break

The President of the Russian Red Cross (RRC), the oldest Russian humanitarian organization, Pavel Savchuk, has been elected to the Governing Board (Governing Council) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) from the European region upon results of the vote. The election of the RRC will raise the status of the organization within the International Movement and will allow to promote the interests, experience and proposals of the RRC, National Societies of the sub-region, including border and Russian-speaking countries on the international stage.
The election took place on June 19 at the IFRC’s 23rd General Assembly, held in Geneva on June 18 through 23. The IFRC General Assembly, the highest body representing all National Societies, meets at least once every two years and establishes the IFRC’s general policy. The Governing Board governs the IFRC and meets at least twice a year. Elections to the Governing Board are held every four years.

This year representatives from 27 countries were elected to the Governing Board. Representatives of 20 National Societies, including the Russian National Society, won. The Russian Red Cross became a member of the IFRC Governing Board after a decade-long break.
“My election agenda was based on 3 main issues. Firstly, the IFRC needs to make efforts for equal access to humanitarian aid and medical care worldwide. Secondly, the Federation is to become a platform to represent the interests and opinions of all National Societies, allowing them to become effective channels for humanitarian diplomacy and relationship development between the nations. Thirdly, I am convinced that the IFRC needs to develop youth leadership and volunteering, to enable young people to participate in key decision-making and discussions on the further development of the Federation”, commented Pavel Savchuk, the President of the Russian Red Cross.

The General Assembly was attended by 156 National Societies, representing the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in their countries, who participated in the voting. 105 countries voted for the candidacy from the Russian Red Cross.

In addition to Russia, the Governing Board includes representatives from France, Bulgaria, Iceland, the Netherlands, Malaysia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Canada, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago.
Pavel Savchuk also emphasized, quote “The election of the Russian Red Cross Society became possible due to a re-launch of the RRC, all directions of our activities, the launch of new projects”. “We had worked hard on international projects and campaigns, met with our colleagues from other National Societies. The cooperation turned out to be prolific. We have something to say and we are ready to put forward our own initiatives and to use our experience to improve the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in the world so that every person in need of help gets some assistance”.
For instance, the Russian Red Cross plans to introduce to the electronic Red Cross and Red Crescent map information on emergencies for the most disaster-prone regions of each member state of the Federation. Another initiative is to launch Red Cross medical centers in regions with insufficient assistance in health care, to develop a program of internships for the youth and volunteers, following the example of large international companies, and much more.

Tomorrow, June 21, will be held the first meeting of the newly elected Governing Board.
“Today, in times of humanitarian and geopolitical crises, it is more important than ever to maintain and develop international cooperation. In addition, it is necessary to represent the interests of Russian-speaking National Societies, which contribute greatly to the activities of the Red Cross Movement worldwide, said the President of the Russian Red Cross. – Today’s election of the RRC to the Governing Board of the Federation is of great importance for us. After all, in this way the IFRC has proved its commitment to the Fundamental principles that guide its activities”.

Within the framework of the IFRC General Assembly, elections were held for the Youth Commission of the African Region, a body on the Governing Board that serves as an advisory body for youth involvement and volunteer development. Representatives of the Russian Red Cross also took part in the voting.

On Saturday, June 18, there was held a meeting of members of the Youth Commission. The members met with IFRC President, Francesco Rocca to discuss key directions of work up to 2024, strategies for the youth involvement in the activities of the Federation and National Societies, mental health issues and emergency response.

On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Pavel Savchuk met with representatives of the IFRC and the National Societies from China, Gambia, Austria, Great Britain, Ethiopia, Haiti, Lebanon, Canada and Bangladesh. They discussed the RRC’s activities in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, as well as the possibility of signing Cooperation agreements and Memorandums of Understanding.
As part of the Russian Federation President’s grant project “Humanitarian diplomacy and strengthening cooperation with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies”, the Russian Red Cross has intensified its international communications and meetings with National Societies in other countries.