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Who we are? Several issues are to be mentioned before we move on to our work with communities. Among them is the question of who we are, and why do we work in community development field. So who we are? We are the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, united in one International Federation (IFRC) and bound by our 7 Fundamental Principles , Strategy and Global Agenda. You can read about the mission, role, structure and activities of the IFRC here. But lets focus on the people who work with the vulnerable communities - the people in Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, in their local, grass-root structures. The Red Cross/Red Crescent organizations around the world have vast experiences in various fields of activities. The main task of the RC organizations has always been to assist those in need as a result of war, internal conflict or disaster, to assist those who are vulnerable and socially indigent, prepare for disaster situations and in case of such to respond and to support the victims and their families, to support the health services and provide assistance and care to various vulnerable groups. Each National Society has a large variety of programmes and services. Some of them are unique, carried only in some countries, but the above are the core areas of all. This is where the focus of our Federation is. You can read about it here. The structures of the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies start from the grass-root. They are based in communities, working with the people and supporting the most vulnerable in the communities. The Red Cross organizations are governed by the Red Cross members and the main labor force are the volunteers. They are part of an international movement, but they are not organizations establishing an office in a concrete area, function for a period, then leave. Those grass-root Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations are supposed to function at all times, to assist the people in need, to be prepared and able to respond to critical situations, such as the ones mentioned above. This is a major feature, which makes the Red Cross and Red Crescent so different from any other organization. It is reflected even in the important element of any humanitarian or development activity, called exit strategy, where the organization, normally an external one is expected to phase out when the project results or the planned level of development are achieved (or simply when the funding stops). This happens all the time, with many international organizations, all over the world. But those local Red Cross organizations are not external ones. Exit from activities, which are no longer needed, or from activities where the government, society or another actor has taken over - yes, but exit from communities where vulnerable people are - in no case. |
About us and PCD
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