The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Update of IFRC programmes for 2002

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the International Federation) opened its Delegation in Armenia immediately after the devastating earthquake in December 1988, to render assistance to disaster victims. In this period the International Federation has implemented humanitarian assistance programmes valued at about USD 260 million, assisting vulnerable people in different areas such as rehabilitation, food and medical supply and social services. In recent years the International Federation focuses its assistance on strengthening the Armenian Red Cross Society’s capacity to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

The ARCS, member society of the International Federation, is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in Armenia, with a country-wide network of 11 Regional and 54 Community Branches, 11,000 members, and 2,000 volunteers.

In 2002 the International Federation will work mainly in 6 directions (disaster response, disaster preparedness, health and care, promotion of humanitarian values, organizational development and regional cooperation) with the support of Red Cross and other donors including Diaspora organizations. 2002 programmes can be summarised as follows:


1. Disaster Response Programmes

1.1 Emergency assistance to lone elderly persons (USD 121,200)

This programme aims at continuing the provision of food and hygienic parcels to 3,500 most vulnerable persons who were the prior lone elderly beneficiaries of the previous Home Visiting Nurses programme. Distribution will be done through the ARCS’ 23 Social Service Centres located in different parts of the country.

The programme also aims at providing home care to elderly pensioners without any family care and advocating their rights.

1.2 Social Service Centres (USD 151,500)

A total of 23 Social Service Centres have been set up and run by the ARCS to provide various kinds of social services to vulnerable persons in their respective areas.

In 2002 this programme will concentrate on:


1.3 Population Movement (USD 135,400)

The programme seeks to provide social, medical and psychological assistance to selected vulnerable refugees, facilitate the integration and naturalization of refugees into the society, and increase public awareness and cooperation with other partners in the refugee sector.

The activities under this programme will include:
- Psycho-social support to 330 elderly refugees
- Medical care and education for refugee mothers and children
- Skills training for refugee women
- Support to non-CIS refugees, asylum seekers and rejected persons
- Summer camps for refugee children
- Public awareness and networking


2. Disaster Preparedness Programme (USD 181,800)

In Armenia, which is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world, Disaster Preparedness (DP) has so far been one of the most important Red Cross projects.

In 2002 the DP Programme will focus on:



3. Health and Care Programmes (211,500USD)

The goal of this programme is to contribute to further improvement of the health situation in the country and alleviate the suffering of people in the target communities.

The 2002 health and care programme is intended:

4. Promotion of Humanitarian Values (USD 36,400)

The goal of this programme is to influence the behaviour of Red Cross staff and volunteers, authorities and the community by disseminating the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values.

Programme activities will focus on:

5. Organizational Development Programmes (194,000 USD)

The overall goal of this programme is to continue the process of building up the ARCS’ ability to provide more assistance, of higher quality, with greater impact and relevance, to more vulnerable people in each of the communities it serves. With the help of the programme, organizational development will be made at different levels including:

6. Regional cooperation programme (60,000 USD)

The International Federation is encouraging active cooperation between the three Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Drawing on the experiences gained in 2001, the 2002 regional cooperation programme will support regional cooperation in the following areas where they can share experiences:

2001

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) opened its delegation in Yerevan immediately after the devastating earthquake in December 1988, in order to provide assistance to disaster victims. It quickly developed into a major humanitarian agency in Armenia, assisting vulnerable people in different areas such as rehabilitation, food and medical supply and social services. In this period IFRC has implemented humanitarian assistance programmes values at USD 260 million.

Armenia remains still in a difficult transitional period and those who suffer most are none other than vulnerable people--lonely elderly, internally displaced persons, refugees, handicapped, orphans, etc. 

Their problems cannot be addressed by an organization or an individual, but only by the "Power of Humanity". In accordance with its "Strategy 2010" IFRC will continue to work hard to improve the lives of these vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

All sorts of support, mental, material and financial, from diaspora organizations will greatly help our efforts to this end.

In 2001, Year of Volunteers, the International Federation plans to implement, in close cooperation with the Armenian Red Cross Society, its member society and one of the largest humanitarian organizations in Armenia (with a country-wide network of 11 marz offices, 52 community branches, 11,000 members and volunteers) the following humanitarian programs:

 

1. Disaster Preparedness Program
2. Disaster Response Programs
3. Health and Care Programs
4. Program for Promotion of Humanitarian Values
5. Institutional/Resource Development Programs

Disaster Preparedness Program (USD 207,000)

Armenia is one of the most disaster prone countries in the Caucasus and, therefore, Disaster Preparedness (DP) has so far been one of the most important Red Cross projects.

 

The DP Program for 2001 will focus on:

 

Public education in high risk areas
 Development of regional DPR infrastructure Establishment of a radio communication system
Disaster Preparedness and Response (DPR) training Emergency stocks for 2,500 persons Networking with Governmental and other DPR-related agencies

Disaster Response Programs

"Food Parcels for the Most Vulnerable (USD 221,000)"

This program aims at providing food parcels to 3,500 most vulnerable persons who were the prior lonely elderly recipients of the Home Visiting Nurses program. 14,000 food parcels will be distributed to the beneficiaries to assist them in this transitional period. Distribution will be done through ARCS' 23 Social Service Centers located in different parts of the country.

 

 

Social Service Centers (USD 145,000)

Social Service Centers were set up by ARCS in its 23 regional and community branch offices in order to provide maximum appropriate assistance to vulnerable persons. As office-based centers, they deliver all kinds of services to vulnerable people with limited human and material resources.

 

In 2001 this program will concentrate on:

 

Expanding the service capacities of SSCs
 Assisting 700 spinal cord-injured patients
Providing locally-tailored services on local needs and priorities Establishment of 14 new SSCs in ARCS community branches

Population Movement (USD 84,000)

The program seeks to provide social and psychological assistance to selected vulnerable refugees and facilitate the integration and naturalization of refugees into the society through different activities and advocacy. 

 

The activities under this program will include:

 

Skills training of refugee women Psychological services for elderly refugees and refugee children   Public awareness and networking

Health and Care Programs

Improving Clinical Services and Self-Help (USD 83,000)

 

The goal of this program is to reduce the vulnerability of the Armenian population to the most common causes of ill health by implementing appropriate projects through the nationwide ARCS office network. 

 

It is intended:

to strengthen the primary health care institutions in Tavush and Syunik marzes
 to organize a health education campaign in schools and polyclinics
to improve the detection of TB and Malaria through case finding activities to improve knowledge and awareness regarding STD/HIV/AIDS among students of non-medical universities located in Yerevan.

First Aid Supplementary Training (USD 127,000)

Past experiences show that the ability to save lives depends on the local population's ability of rapid response after disasters and accidents. Professional FA is what often makes the difference between life or death, rapid recovery or long hospitalization.

 

Within the framework of this program, the International Federation and ARCS intend:

to strengthen FA response capacities at different levels and improve FA operational systems and network conduct trainings of trainers and volunteers to print various FA publications
to develop sustainable first aid programs in all regions to recruit voluntary First Aiders

Institutional Development/Resource Development Programs

 

Institutional Development (USD 106,000)
The overall goal of this program is to continue the process of building up ARCS' ability to provide more assistance, of higher quality, with greater impact and relevance, to more vulnerable people in each of the communities it serves. 

With the help of the program, institutional development will be made at different levels including:

ARCS headquarters  10 Regional Branches 38 Community Branches

 

Financial Restructuring (USD 37,500)

It seeks to help ARCS improve its financial management and control system in order to meet international standards in implementing humanitarian assistance programs.

Youth Development (USD 30,800)

The goal of this program is to develop and expand Red Cross Youth programs within ARCS Regional and Community Branches with a view 
to increasing youth participation and influence in Red Cross activities, and to supporting the efforts to assist vulnerable youth.

Promotion of Humanitarian Values

Promotion of Humanitarian Values (USD 38,000)

The goal of this program is to expand the ARCS network of information and dissemination capacities. 

Program activities will focus on:

Dissemination of IHL and the values and principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Advocacy on humanitarian issues Publication of various dissemination materials
Introduction of Red Cross activities by various means and ways Training of RC members and volunteers in relevant areas

 

For more information, please contact:

Information Department of IFRC Armenia Delegation
50/1 Gevog Chaush Street, Yerevan 375088, Armenia
Tel: (3741) 341 708, 342 740, 354 649
Govt: 5813
AT&T Tel/Fax: (3741) 151 072
E-mail: ifrcam03@ifrc.org  or ifrcam04@ifrc.org 

"Information about the International Federation's global activities and its Appeal for 2001-2002 can be found on its web site: http://www.ifrc.org