icrc-annual-report-2013

INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENTThe purpose of infrastructure management is to make sure theICRC has the requisite office space and to ensure the long-termmaintenance and physical security of the entire infrastructure ata reasonable cost.The Humanitarium, a facility opened in September 2013 for visitorsand conferences, will be used to facilitate dialogue, understandingand cooperation between stakeholders, with a view todeveloping responses to humanitarian issues. A cafeteria wasopened in December.The ICRC’s Ecogia Training Centre, located in Versoix (on theoutskirts of Geneva, Switzerland), hosted some 12,000 guests and220 events, including 40 for external groups. The Centre continuedto undergo upgrades (e.g. audiovisual equipment, wirelessInternet access, hotel management software) in order to ensurequality services for its customers. Guests enjoyed a choice ofproducts produced locally in line with the traceable and sustainablestandards established by the Genève Région-Terre Avenir(GRTA), a label created by the State of Geneva and awarded toEcogia’s restaurant in September.FUNDINGSince the adoption of the ICRC Funding Strategy 2012–2020,funding has been coordinated by and channelled through theExternal Resources and the recently created Private SectorFundraising Divisions, which raise the funds the organizationneeds to carry out its humanitarian activities while upholding itsindependence. Delegations contribute to donor relationship management,mainly by sharing information with donors. To meet itsobjectives, the ICRC seeks the widest possible range of predictable,sustained and flexible sources of financial support. It guaranteesthat donor requirements are given due consideration and thatcontributions are managed in a coordinated way.BUDGETSThe ICRC’s initial 2013 budget, launched in November 2012,totalled CHF 1.18 billion. This was CHF 25.2 million higher thanthe previous year’s initial budget. The largest increase was inthe Emergency Appeals for field operations, which amounted toCHF 988.7 million, as opposed to CHF 969.5 million in 2012. TheHeadquarters Appeal, for its part, increased from CHF 180.8 millionin 2012 to CHF 186.8 million in 2013.During the year, donors received information about eight budgetextensions (compared with three in 2012) launched in responseto unforeseen events and substantial humanitarian needs. Thesewere brought about by the resurgence/intensification of hostilitiesor by natural disasters in the Democratic Republic of theCongo (hereafter DRC), Myanmar, Mali and Niger (covered bythe Niamey regional delegation) and the Philippines (on two occasions),as well as joint budget extensions for Jordan, Lebanon andthe Syrian Arab Republic (hereafter Syria), owing to the armedconflict in Syria and its consequences in neighbouring countries.The increase in budget for the Philippines to help victimsof Typhoon Haiyan was followed by a preliminary appeal. Thelargest budget extensions amounted to CHF 62.3 million and wereaimed at helping people affected by the conflict in Syria.EXPENDITUREOverall expenditureCHF 1,234.0 million (including overheads)HeadquartersCHF 189.0 millionField operationsCHF 1,045.1 millionThe implementation rate (field expenditure in cash, kind and servicesdivided by final field budget and multiplied by 100) for activitiesplanned in 2013 was 90.7% of the overall final EmergencyAppeals budget (2012: 93.5%; 2011: 77.9%).CONTRIBUTIONSTotal contributions received in 2013: CHF 1,219 millionFunding sources and patterns were similar to previous years.In 2013, the proportion of support from governments was 84.5%(2012: 82.8%; 2011: 83.2%), while that from National Societiesfell to 3.3% (2012: 4.3%; 2011: 4.7%). Contributions receivedfrom various other public and private sources increased to 4.8%(2012: 3.7%; 2011: 2.9%).The United States of America (hereafter United States) remainedthe ICRC’s largest donor, accounting for 21.3% (CHF 260.1 million)of all contributions received and 22.3% (CHF 239.5 million)of funding for field operations. The United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and Northern Ireland (hereafter United Kingdom)ranked second, accounting for 13.4% (CHF 163.2 million) of allcontributions received and 15.0% (CHF 161.8 million) of fundingfor field operations. Switzerland was the third largest donor with atotal contribution of CHF 119.8 million, accounting for 9.8% of allcontributions and 4.6% of funding for field operations. TheEuropean Commission dropped to fourth position with a totalcontribution of CHF 88.2 million, which accounted for 7.2% of allcontributions and 8.1% of funding for field operations.The ICRC’s operational flexibility was preserved as a number ofgovernments continued either not to earmark their contributionsor to do so in a relatively broad fashion, mostly by geographicalregion (see Flexibility in funding).The DSG comprised 18 members in 2013 (based on 2012 contributions).Denmark hosted the DSG annual meeting, which alongwith the DSG policy forum, allowed members to share views anddiscuss topics relevant to humanitarian action.80 | ICRC ANNUAL REPORT 2013