Why PCD?

Many years ago it became obvious that assistance and relief are helping victims of wars, disasters, conflicts and economic crises to suffer less for the short term periods when such assistance is provided. In many cases, where economic crises continued longer, the assistance continued, but support from outside was much harder to get.

It is clear what happens to the vulnerable people when all efforts are focused to humanitarian assistance. As time passes, the support from outside decreases and the donors and international organizations withdraw. It is a normal process. But when little capacities are developed on the field, many needs remain unsolved, because the activities are dependent on external support and no local mechanisms to cope with needs are built. Simply although supported during and shortly after the crisis period, the local people are not prepared to deal with their needs in long term. It is because humanitarian relief does not aim at building capacity, it covers immediate needs. Building of capacity is development. In our case - community development.

And as the needs continue to exist in longer period, those who remain on the field to support the vulnerable are the authorities of the country, the local NGOs (those who have sustainable programmes and resources) and of course - the Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent are world known humanitarian organization, the largest one. But like many other humanitarian organizations it also faced the problems related to long-term humanitarian assistance. It became obvious that in addition to the expertize in the humanitarian area, skills need to be built in the development field of activities. And that skills in community development will support the functioning of the local Red Cross/Red Crescent organizations themselves, as they function in communities, by their volunteers and are governed by their members, at the same time members of the communities. Therefore community development means building capacities in communities. At the same time - in the local Red Cross organizations.

About us and PCD