Statement by Mr Martin Faller Head of Office Coordination and ...

Statement by Mr Martin Faller at the Public Hearing of the Committee on
Development of the European Parliament – Brussels - 29.01.08
components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at its
30 th International Conference in November 2007. EU member states and
European National Red Cross Societies made joint pledges at the Conference
with regard to following up with the Guidelines.
7. We strongly recommend that the implementation plans for the
Consensus will include support for the dissemination and promotion of
the IDRL Guidelines, both within the EU and in the states where it
provides assistance.
8. Building local capacities:
While continuously optimising our international response capabilities, we are
giving highest importance to increase local community, civil society and Red
Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of
vulnerability. Wherever we work we are benefiting from local knowledge and
the many volunteers of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and
the support from regionally and internationally active national societies
(including many European National Societies) cooperating in alliances with our
colleagues in the affected countries.
9. For example: The global measles Initiative – a partnership led by the American
Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF, the U.S. Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, and WHO connecting many international
supporters with governments and local partners in over 50 countries - with
global and local impact: between 2001 and 2006, measles deaths had
dropped globally by 68 percent and in Africa, by more than 91 percent. Since
2001, 40 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been able to
support measles campaigns with 80,000 volunteers – who are the main
connectors to the communities at risk. By the end of 2006, these campaigns
reached more than 240 million children.
10. For example: Across West Africa and Morocco, the effects of complex
emergencies, sudden and slow onset disasters such as drought, famine and
desertification demand more resources and presence from our national Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies and their volunteers. Migration in this
region is increasing and migrants are trying to reach the coast of Spain and
other European countries. We are working in alliances between African and
European partners and one of the most important elements of this
collaboration is the enhancement of the capacities of our African partners to
work on the spot with the affected communities and to strengthen national and
regional disaster response teams.
11. For example: Only three weeks ago, the Mozambique Red Cross Society
concentrated all its forces in the north of the country to fight another major
flood disaster. This year compared to the 2001 flood, deaths have so far been
recorded in much lower numbers. A combination of resettlement, prompt
evacuation readiness and overall preparedness works. This year’s floods
operation further proves the impact of community based early warning and risk
reduction – however, the major flood is still to be expected, it has not yet
arrived!
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