How to do VCA? - International Federation of Red Cross and Red ...

28International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies■ The “political” level consists of the National Society’s board,which must approve the VCA. This ensures political support,as well as an understanding of what is required to undertake aVCA and what are its implications. The board must be keptinformed throughout the process.■ The “driving force” refers to the leader(s) in charge, key inensuring that the process advances. The leader (or at least oneof the leaders) should have received formal training in VCA.They may form part of the managing committee or task force(see below).■ The “implementing body” consists of the people at theNational Society’s headquarters and branches who will actuallyimplement the VCA.A managing committee or task group, in-charge of day-to-dayVCA implementation decisions, will help ensure that the processruns as smoothly as possible. Where possible, this should includeparticipants from all levels (i.e. political, driving force and implementationbody), so that all parts of the National Society remaininformed with the VCA progress. The exact form of this operationalstructure depends on how your own National Society functionsand what is needed. Some VCAs may not require such anelaborate structure.KeymessageThe more people within a NationalSociety are involved with the VCAprocess, the less chance of surprises andthe better chance of success.As we have already mentioned, the VCA process may result incommunities prioritizing a wide range of issues that may or maynot have anything to do with natural disasters. Though this doeshappen quite often, it is helpful to have representative from otherdepartments such as health in the VCA structure. It is easier toobtain the institution-wide support for the proposed projects.