The International Federation launches Appeal 2001-2002
5 December 2000

The changing face of disasters in the 21st century was highlighted today (December 5) by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at the launch of its Appeal 2001-2002 seeking 355 million Swiss francs for 81 humanitarian assistance programmes world-wide.

"The emphasis we are placing on health programmes in the next year is an indication that despite great strides in science and technology, the lives of millions are at risk from epidemics such as AIDS/HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and polio," said International Federation Secretary General, Mr. Didier Cherpitel.

"While responding to major emergencies is still a major part of what we do, it is clear that we are now in the front line of the struggle to turn back the tide of illness and death which public health emergencies are causing in poor communities around the world. Natural disasters killed some 80,000 people last year but 13 million died from infectious diseases," Mr. Cherpitel said.

Health and disaster preparedness programmes account for a major portion of the Appeal with a combined total of 146.5 million Swiss francs (41%) compared with 111 million Swiss francs (31%) for disaster response.

The appeal was launched on the opening day of the International Year of Volunteers to highlight the essential role played by some 20 million Red Cross/Red Crescent volunteers active in day-to-day programmes in the Federation's 176 member National Societies and without whom many international relief operations would not be sustainable.

"These men and women are unsung heroes. They regularly put their lives at risk whether leading their communities in Uganda against the spread of the deadly Ebola virus or organising the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people whenever a cyclone threatens the coast of Bangladesh. They are there when disaster strikes and continue their work long after the media spotlight has moved elsewhere," said Mr. Cherpitel.

He called on donors to match the ten-year commitment which the International Federation is making to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa starting with the equipping and training of 60,000 community-based activists over the next 12 months.

"Humanitarian funding is often limited to an annual or a six month operating time-frame. We will never effectively address socio-economic crises or long-term health disasters such as tuberculosis and AIDS with such a funding approach," said Mr. Cherpitel.

He also urged donors to support pre-financing for sudden on-set emergencies through better support to the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund. This could radically change the way Red Cross/ Red Crescent Societies plan for major emergencies and allow them to scale up their activities quickly without depending entirely on the post-disaster donor response.

The full texts of the appeals can be found on the Federation web site: http://www.ifrc.org/publicat/appeal01/ this web site address will take you directly to the appeal index page where you can select any specific regional or country appeal text by clicking on the title.

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

Denis McClean, Head of Media Service Tel: (41) 22 730 44 28

Marie Françoise Borel, Press Officer Tel: (41) 22 730 43 46

Chris Black , Press Officer Tel: (41) 22 730 43 77

Solveig Olafsdottir, Press Officer Tel: (41) 22 730 42 96

Irma Lubbinge, Press Officer Tel: (41) 22 730 45 70

Media Service, Geneva Mobile phone : (41) 79 416 3881
E-mail: mediaservice@ifrc.org here

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.