Capacity-building is a priority for the Russian Red Cross (RRC) in order to be able to organize a more effective response to crises and emergencies in the country. Pavel Savchuk, the President of the Russian Red Cross, stated this at an online meeting with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Representatives from 15 National Societies participated in the online meeting, which was held on September 26, namely members from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Serbia, Belarus, France, São Tomé and Príncipe, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, the USA, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Germany and Japan.
“Over the past year we have re-launched the activity in the Russian Red Cross. The major part of our resources is now concentrated on assistance to refugees from the territories of Ukraine and Donbass. Concurrently, we have other activities at the federal level. The RRC capacity-building for more effective responses to crises and emergencies is now a priority for our National Society. The Russian Red Cross is to become an integral part of the emergency response system in the country, as well as work more closely with the executive authorities and civil society organizations for a prompt and timely response to emergencies”, – emphasized Pavel Savchuk, the President of the Russian Red Cross.
During the meeting Pavel Savchuk shared the NS’s plans for the coming year and noted that “first and foremost the plans are aimed at strengthening the capacity of the National Society, through the development of key and priority activities, providing for present-day developments, methods and types of assistance to all those in need”.
The President of the RRC indicated that the implementation of the plans will allow the Russian Red Cross “not only to strengthen the capacity as a National Society, but also to create all the necessary conditions in which those in need can feel safe”.
The Head of Delegation, Country Cluster Delegation of the IFRC for the Russian Federation and Belarus, John Entwistle, in his turn, noted the high level of advancing and importance of the Russian Red Cross in assistance to refugees and displaced persons from Ukraine.
“During the last year, the Russian Red Cross has been a National Society in transition. The outcomes, which the team has achieved over the past 12 months, are quite significant, in view of the challenges and difficulties that have arisen, as well as the humanitarian crisis of responding to the situation in Ukraine”, – said John Entwistle.
Kira Suleymanian, Regional coordinator for cooperation of the ICRC Regional Delegation for the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, stated that “the International Committee of the Red Cross has strengthened its cooperation with the Russian Red Cross over the past year”.
“We plan to continue supporting the Russian National Society, particularly its activities in response to the Ukrainian crisis. It implies primarily voucher payments and restoring family links. We will also join our forces with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent to assist in developing the National Society of Russia”, – stressed Kira Suleymanian.
