This report covers the period 01/January/09 to 30/June/09.
In brief
Programmes summary:
The Regional Representation has established closer relationships with the National Societies allowing for improved support to identify needs. An important part of this process has been the development of country support plans which focus on the specific needs and priorities of National Societies. Undoubtedly, this new approach will be more effective in achieving proposed goals and the better use of resources. In addition to improved consistency in work, greater integration and coordination among actors and resources will be accomplished.
The global financial crisis and the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) have created greater vulnerabilities in the region, and present new challenges. However, progress has been made and the implementation of national and regional plans was possible.
The particular situation of the Brazilian Red Cross (BRC) deserves special attention. The BRC has experienced considerable challenges with integrity of operations that pose significant difficulties with compliance with the National Society mandate and humanitarian mission. The Regional Representation, along with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), has dedicated particular attention to the problem and developing a recovery strategy for the National Society's serious situation.
Financial situation: The 2009 budget was originally CHF 1,068,592. The total 2009 revised budget is CHF 1,215,274 (USD 1,119,686 or EUR 797,047), of which 73 per cent (CHF 893,111) covered. Expenditure overall was 38 per cent (CHF 466,029) up to June 2009.
No. of people we help: The Regional Representation focuses on building the capacities of National Societies in the Southern Cone and Brazil region. As such, National Societies (staff at headquarter and branch levels, governance bodies and volunteers) are themselves, direct beneficiaries of the Regional Representation's programmes. In effect, the Regional Representation's indirect beneficiaries belong to civil society since it is through the strengthening of the National Societies' capacities and the technical support offered, that methodologies, initiatives and activities as a whole can be carried out and implemented accordingly.
Our partners: The Regional Representation continues to work with the following partners: the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), the Regional Humanitarian Information Network Project (Redhum), United Nations agencies - including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), UNAIDS, the Latin American School of Social Sciences (Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales - FLACSO), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) and the Organisation of American States (OAS).
Movement coordination continues with the regional delegations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Partner National Societies (PNS), such as the Finnish Red Cross, the German Red Cross, the Spanish Red Cross, the Swedish Red Cross and the Swiss Red Cross, that cooperate, bilaterally or multilaterally, with the five National Societies of the region.
