Red Cross Red Crescent aims to assist 40 million people worldwide in 2002
4 December 2001

IMore than 40 million people will be helped by the organisation's long-term health and disaster-related programmes in the coming year, said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies today in Geneva as it launched its global appeal.

The appeal for 270 million Swiss francs, for the first time seeks more funding for health ( 85.5 million Swiss francs) than for disaster response (54 million Swiss francs). This is a reflection of the emphasis placed on prioritising the fight against HIV/AIDS which "will kill more people this decade than all the wars and other disasters that have occurred over the past 50 years," said Mr. Didier J. Cherpitel, Secretary General of the International Federation

In cash terms, there is more focus on Africa this year partly due to "a massive scaling up of the response to HIV/AIDS and related public health priorities." This will involve much more than health interventions but will also mean promoting prevention and fighting discrimination. Advocacy for older people, orphans and other children affected by HIV/AIDS is also included.

The country programme focus on Africa (total: 73.2 million Swiss francs) includes Mozambique (5.1 million Swiss francs), where the Red Cross is gearing up for any possible repetition of the disastrous floods of the last two years. The on-going response to the refugee crisis created by conflict in the Great Lakes region continues in Burundi (3 million Swiss francs) and Tanzania (8.9 million Swiss francs).

In Europe and Central Asia (total: 66.8 million Swiss francs), a commitment to long-term disaster recovery is evidenced by the continuing rehabilitation work taking place two years after the earthquake of 1999 in Turkey (11.3 million Swiss francs). A major drought relief operation is already underway in Tajikistan (9 million Swiss francs) where this appeal also seeks to support disaster preparedness, to distribute essential drugs and to provide safe water in a deeply impoverished country. Poverty fuelled by years of sanctions will be addressed in Yugoslavia (8.5 million Swiss francs) as well as the on-going needs of refugees and displaced.

In the Asia and Pacific region (total 54.5 million Swiss francs), support to Afghan Red Crescent (5.8 million Swiss francs), the only indigenous nationwide humanitarian organisation still functioning in a country ruined by war, will ensure the work of 48 health clinics, mobile health clinics and drought relief measures (a further appeal for Afghanistan is under preparation). The on-going humanitarian crisis in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (12.4 million Swiss francs) is of major concern, particularly the situation in the health sector. Some of the most disaster prone countries in the world are also being appealed for including Bangladesh (4.5 million Swiss francs) and Vietnam (5.7 million Swiss francs).

In the Middle East and North Africa (total 18.7 million Swiss francs), the Palestine Red Crescent Society (6.9 million Swiss francs) will largely focus on medical services covering the occupied territories, Lebanon and Syria. Water, food and medical assistance for the most vulnerable are the programme focus in Iraq (6.7 million Swiss francs).

In the Americas (total 15.6 million Swiss francs), regional programmes will focus on disaster preparedness, disaster response and health across Latin America and the Caribbean with particular emphasis on Cuba, Nicaragua and Bolivia.

The full text of the appeal can be found on the Federation website: http:/www.ifrc.org/where/appeals/appeal02.asp

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Denis McClean, Head, Media Service Tel.: +41 22 730 4428/ + 41 79 217 3357

Marie-Francoise Bore, Information Officer lTel.: +41 22 730 4346/ +41 79 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.