Transcript Humaniarian Diplomacy and Resource mobilizationt

International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Botswana Red Cross
Society
Botswana Chamber of Mines Meeting
10th May 2012
Presentation by:
Mr. Titus L. Makosha
Deputy Secretary General
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Background of BRCS...
 The Botswana Red Cross Society(BRCS)
established as an independent society by an Act of
Parliament of the Republic of Botswana in 1968 as an
International requirement from the Geneva
conventions (N.B: National Society status).
 The National Society was recognized by the
International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) in
February 1970 and was admitted as a member of the
League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(now the Federation) in 1971.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Background of BRCS cont...
 According to the Act, BRCS plays an auxiliary role to Public
Authorities in humanitarian services ( this means the
Government including Local Authorities). ‘The Society is
hereby recognized as a voluntary aid society auxiliary to public
authorities both for the purpose of the Geneva Conventions and
otherwise and shall have the right in conformity with the Geneva
Conventions to use the heraldic emblem of the red cross on a white
ground, formed by reversing the Swiss Federal colours.’’
 The Geneva convention and International Humanitarian
Law, dictates that Humanitarian service is a direct
responsibility of government, and therefore BRCS is only
playing a supplementary role.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Background of BRCS cont...
 BRCS previously survived through funding from
International donors, but since the classification
of Botswana as a middle income country
donors have since pulled out.
 The support from local partners is therefore very
important for BRCS continued survival
 There is need to review and assess the
relevance of the National society and its
auxiliary status for possible collaboration with
various humanitarian arms of government,
hence the objective of this presentation
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
But what and who is
Red Cross?
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
A long time ago ……
 One battle
 One man
 One idea
STORY OF AN
IDEA
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
1859
a battle...
... a man
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
YEAR
EVENT
1859  Henry Dunant, a businessman, travels to
Solferino (Northern Italy) to seek support for
his business which was not doing so well.
 On the way, finds Austrian army in battle with
armies of France
 40,000 dead and wounded across the
battlefield. Military medical services non-existent.
Doctors and nurses considered combatants.
 With the help of women from nearby villages,
HD tried to help the wounded regardless of their
uniform and/or nationality
 "MEMORY OF SOLFERINO":- spurred by the
need to ensure that the terrible sufferings
witnessed never occurred again.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
One book...
... two ideas
creation of volunteer medical services to help
wounded on the battlefield
an international agreement to protect the wounded
and all those attending them
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International
Committee of the
Red Cross
1863
National Red Cross
and Red Crescent
Societies
The International
Conference of the
Red Cross and Red
Crescent
International
Federation of Red
Cross and Red
Crescent Societies
Every 4 year
1919
States parties to
Geneva
Conventions
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
THE EMBLEM
 1864 – Red Cross
 1876 – Red Crescent
 2005 – Red Crystal
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
7 Fundamental Principles
 Humanity
 Impartiality
 Neutrality
 Independence
 Volunteerism
 Unity
 Universality
Our mission
Principles of behaviour
Organizational Principles
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
 WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF RED
CROSS IDEA TODAY
 TODAYS BATTLES INCLUDE:





HIV/AIDS AND OTHER HEALTH PANDEMICS
DISASTERS
CLIMATE CHANGE
FOOD INSECURITY
DISABILITIES
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF BRCS
 To bring help and relief to all victims of disasters
whether natural or man-made and/or to protect
such victims from the effects the disasters
howsoever caused;
 To carry on and assist in the work aimed at the
improvement of health, prevention of diseases,
reduction or elimination of suffering throughout
the world.
 To support the government in their humanitarian
tasks according to the needs of vulnerable
people
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
BRCS STRUCTURE
NEC
divisions
branches
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
BRCS Programmes
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Information Dissemination and Tracing
Branch development
Youth development
Disaster management
First aid
Health and HIV/AIDS
Rehabilitation for people with disabilities
Refugee health and social services in
collaboration with UNHCR.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
CROSS CUTTING AREAS OF
RELEVANCE
 DISASTER MANAGEMENT: It is one of the key
competency areas of the RC movement
 HEALTH AND HIV/AIDS WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON
ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN: BRCS has
piloted models such as the “Bonkgonne” which can
assist communities better address OVC
 Community Based Rehabilitation: the rehabilitation of
People with disabilities is the portfolio responsibility of
the Council and BRCS has competencies in this area,
from which the Council can resource. BRCS is
operating Centres for people with disabilities
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
AREAS OF RELEVANCE TO MINING
INDUSTRY
 FIRST AID: It is a very important skill that can save lives
especially during accidents and it is a key
competency area for BRCS.
 BRANCH DEVELOPMENT: Red Cross functions through
well trained volunteers within communities that are
also a strong target beneficiary of the mines CSI
programmes. There could therefore be a Win-Win
partnership where mines discharge their CSI
programmes through RC volunteer base, which is likely
to be more efficient in terms of costs and effective in
terms of outcomes as volunteers better understand
community circumstances while RC has mastered the
art and developed tools of touching the souls of needy
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Requested Resolutions
The BCM is requested to Consider and Approve partnership
with BRCS in the following areas:
 Support to Community Based First Aid including branch and
divisional first aid competitions
 Support for the establishment and training of Disaster
Response Teams with emphasis on BRCS branch volunteers
 Extend administrative, technical and financial support to RC
divisional structures in the respective districts/divisions
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR YOUR
ATTENTIVENESS
LE KA MOSO…