The Asian earthquake and tsunamis have been the most devastating
natural disaster in modern times. Tens of thousands of people
have lost their lives; millions are very dramatically affected
in the region and around the world.
There has been a massive response by the peoples of the world
with in many cases Governmental support being matched or surpassed
by the contributions of individual citizens and corporations.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement would like to thank
all those who have responded so generously. This is a global
expression of empathy for people whose families and livelihoods
have been destroyed.
The scope of this disaster calls on all governments and the
world’s humanitarian agencies to act quickly, effectively
and with a long term perspective.
The unique nature of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, with volunteers
in local communities in 11 of the 12 directly affected countries,
means that we were there in the first minutes and hours, and
will remain focused on assisting the affected communities for
months and years to come. Our National Societies are also hard
at work on the impact of this disaster on communities in the
many indirectly affected countries, eg in tracing missing persons.
Through the Federation and the ICRC we are able to ensure that
the global response of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
is best coordinated and most effective.
Today our focus is very much on moving more assistance to people
in need, but we are also already planning for the longer term.
We aim to bring some stability to the affected areas and target
communities through the relief and recovery phase within three
to six months, then moving to the longer term rehabilitation
and reconstruction components through 2010 and beyond. These
activities will consume the bulk of more than CHF 500 million
(USD440mn) already raised by Red Cross Red Crescent Societies
around the world – and this figure is rising as I speak.
We are currently working with our member Societies in each of
the affected countries on a broad frame of our programming plans.
The Red Cross Red Crescent primary focus in rehabilitation and
reconstruction will remain to rebuild the subsistence and resilience
of the local communities based on their local capacities and
needs which are different in many places.
But it also means for us the rebuilding and strengthening of
our local Red Cross and Red Crescent capacity in disaster risk
reduction, prevention and relief. As I mentioned earlier, it
was the strength of the local and volunteer networks already
in place, which enabled the Red Cross Red Crescent to make such
an effective intervention even before the scale of the disaster
became apparent to the rest of the world.
We will, therefore, direct resources to building this capacity
still further, with particular focus on enhancing disaster management
systems and strengthening community preparedness. We are working
with the Maldives Government for the establishment of a National
Society in the only country of the region still without a permanent
Red Cross/Red Crescent presence.
We call on all Governments concerned to integrate in their rehabilitation
and reconstruction plans support for their local Red Cross or
Red Crescent Society, not only in terms of financial and material
resources but also in terms of creating, through legislative
and other action, an environment that enables the National Society
to fulfil its authentic role as auxiliary to the public authorities
in the humanitarian field, providing a “safety net”
for increased numbers of people exposed to health and disaster
risks as a result of socio-economic hardship or deteriorating
living conditions.
We also call on Governments, within their national disaster
coordination responsibilities, to design a clear mandate for
their National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society, in the context
of the already available infrastructure. This call for action
by governments builds on commitments already existing from the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference. The same
message will be delivered the following week at the Kobe World
Conference on Disaster Reduction.
We do not forget that the Red Cross Red Crescent intervention
is part of a much wider and global response effort. Effective
coordination with the UN and other international bodies is a
prerequisite to a dynamic and successful relief operation. The
International Federation, as an active participant in the Inter
Agency Standing Committee, is committed to contribute to this
coordination. We also look forward to the UN lead in the proper
use of civil defence and military assets in relief operations
in view of protecting where necessary the independent, neutral
and impartial nature of humanitarian work.
As the Federation of all Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
we anticipate total spending to exceed CHF650mn (USD575mn) over
a time span of more than 5 years.
Our current estimates are that our programming requires:
• CHF100mn (USD88mn) for the relief operations over the
next few weeks;
• CHF150mn (USD133mn) for longer term relief;
• CHF150mn (USD133mn) for the recovery initiatives; and
• CHF250mn (USD220mn) for rehabilitation, disaster preparedness
programs and reconstruction.
With our well-established record of managing the response to
major disasters, the Federation acts with speed responsibility
and flexibility to meet the needs of all those affected by the
earthquake and tsunamis. We will also continue to address, and
seek support for those other critical humanitarian challenges
that continue to leave communities at risk around the world.
On behalf of the Movement I wish to thank the Indonesian government
for hosting this conference.
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