Global Strategy on Migration
This strategy articulates National Societies’ and IFRC core strengths and common purpose in migration, setting out aims and objectives to be achieved over a 5-year timeframe, from 2018 to 2022.Migration is anarea of strong International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movementcollaboration and coordination, and this strategy is envisagedas a stepping stone towards a future Movement migration strategy,which incorporates the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)more fully.
Download the strategy below in English, French, Arabic and Spanish and in Russian here.
And click here to read the IFRC Migration policy.
Internal Audit Report: Ukraine Country Office, 2018
Home-Based Care Reference Guide for CHWs during COVID 19
This guide provides recommendations to nonprofits, the Red Cross Red Crescent network and community organizations who are designing programs and materials in response to COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries. It focuses on three main areas:
how to support a person whose condition warrants home care because of non-severe symptoms and home care is recommended by local jurisdictions;
how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the home;
and how to provide emotional support to family members.
OIAI Final Internal Audit Report – Hurricane Dorian, Bahamas, 2019
Assurance review of Hurricane Dorian, Bahamas, 2019.
How can we tackle a growing COVID-19 caused mental health crisis?
By Dr Eliza Cheung, Technical Advisor International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support.
In ‘ordinary’ times, good mental health is fundamental for overall wellbeing. But when we are all stalked by fear and uncertainty caused by COVID-19, access to good mental health support is more important than ever. It is life-saving. There is mounting evidence that this Coronavirus is taking a heavy toll on the mental health of people in Asia and across the globe.
At the global level, a major review of 36 studies across the world has found that around one in three people are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression during this pandemic, while recent modelling suggests that unemployment caused by COVID-19 may lead to almost 10,000 additional suicides a year.
An analysis of 160 studies of eight South Asian countries also shows that nearly one in three people experienced anxiety or depressive symptoms.
In the midst of this global pandemic, it is understandable that people are worried about their health, their loved ones and how they will cope if they get sick. Ongoing restrictions are limiting social interaction, leading to increased loneliness and isolation. COVID-19 is causing enormous stress for people who were already worried about how they will support their families.
A new survey by the International Committee of the Red Cross in seven countries, including the Philippines, shows that one in two adults believe their mental health has been negatively affected by COVID-19. It is also alarming that latest World Health Organisation (WHO) figures reveal the pandemic has interrupted or suspended mental health support services in 93% of countries.
Across most countries in Asia, investment in mental health support is woefully inadequate, even before this pandemic and in some countries there are only 0.3 psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses to serve 100,000 people. By contrast, WHO data shows that the rate of psychiatrists is 120 times higher in countries such as France, Canada and Sweden.
The stresses we are experiencing affect us physically, psychologically and emotionally, as well as changing our behaviour. The stress undermines our ability to stay healthy, look after our families, and process new information. It can endanger nurses, doctors, police, leaders and disaster responders, jeopardising life-saving decisions to contain the virus and reduce longer-term impacts.
People already living with mental health challenges are experiencing the loss of critical support networks and clinical management. Yet they need this care more than ever.
We simply cannot afford to wait until the epidemic is under control before dealing with the massive, and increasing, psychological toll. To have any hope of stopping and recovering from this pandemic in a way that leaves no one behind, we need to treat the psychological and physical distress at the same time.
So how can we do it? Early intervention prevents distress from developing into more severe mental health conditions. We need to bridge the gap between those who need psychological and emotional support and those who seek it. We also need to better harness and strengthen existing community and clinical resources.
Preventing psychological issues and mental health support need to be integrated at all levels, in local communities, workplaces, schools, in hospitals and health systems.
People in communities are our first line of defence, making teachers, parents and colleagues in our workplaces critical for bridging the current resource gap. We urgently need to invest in supporting, engaging and equipping them to know what questions to ask, what signs to look for and what to do if someone may be struggling.
Asia-Pacific is the world’s most disaster-prone region and many people have developed an incredible ability to cope with adversity. Across our region, millions of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are first to respond, experiencing the stress in crises, from monsoon floods to typhoons, and COVID-19.
The trauma is real. People have lost loved ones, jobs or livelihoods. They have been separated by borders or quarantine, stranded and jobless in another country or living in crowded camps. All too many are overcome by anxiety, depression and distress.
It’s vital that we all support each other at this time. Get in touch. Be kind to friends, family, neighbours and colleagues, as well as ourselves. Taking good care of oneself enables us to take care of others.
We are at a crossroads. The response to COVID-19 and associated socio-economic impacts will be more effective and we will save countless more lives and livelihoods if we invest wisely in accessible and sustainable mental health and psychosocial support.
Humanitarian Service Points in Action: A global review
Along some of the world's toughest migration routes, Humanitarian Service Points provide a safe space for migrants and displaced people, giving them access to vital services that might otherwise be unreachable. This report provides numerous concrete examples of Humanitarian Service Points in operation along migration routes around the world and it explains why they are critical to the safety and well-being of people in very vulnerable situations.
Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) Monthly Report: August 2022
In August 2022, we conducted a series of focus group discussions with applicants to the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) programmeto learn more about their livelihoods and wellbeing.
We also published an evaluative learning study about the current socio-economic challenges faced by refugees in Türkiye and how the ESSN is helping them to cope.
Internal Audit Report: Dubai Logistics Office, 2017
Child Friendly Spaces in Emergencies - Lessons Learned Review
The purpose of this review on Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) is to:
a) identify and promote key lessons to improve the quality, impact, and reach of CFS implemented by Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in emergencies related programming;
b) contribute to global learning and evidence on the implementation of CFS in emergencies; and to
c) provide a basis for the development of tools to help translate the lessons learned into practical and concrete action by National Societies.
A summary of this report is available to download below, as well as a report containing case studies of Child Friendly Spaces.
Implementation guide: Standards to facilitate the safety, security and well-being of volunteers
The safety and well-being of our nearly 15 million volunteers is a priority for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
This guide sets out the minimum standards for volunteer management to keep volunteers safe, secure and well, and how to implement these standards at the local and national level. It was developed by the 'Volunteering in dangerous situations' technical teamwithin the Global Volunteering Alliance.
The guide is available in English, French and Spanish below. It is also available in Russian here.
Mental health and psychosocial support in Asia Pacific during COVID-19
This report presents case studies from four National Societies in the Asia Pacific region on how they have improved their mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Hong Kong Red Cross Branch of the Red Cross Society of China -learn how informational and educational materials were developed in response to the pandemic, as well as the operation of the telephone- and internet-based intervention “Shall We Talk” service to relieve distress of the public.
Philippines Red Cross- learn about their established COVID-19 Hotline 1158, a 24/7 hotline service set up to provide psychological first aid (PFA) for people in need, run by 15-30 volunteers trained in basic psychosocial support.
Nepal Red Cross Society - learn about their mobilization of community volunteers, PFAactivities, and how they were able to reach communities via virtual sessions as well as in person. This includes a focus on suicide prevention and trainingon enhancing skills and identifying warning signs regarding suicide.
Indonesian Red Cross Society (Palang Merah Indonesia, or PMI) - explore their strategies regarding tracing, monitoring and support activities. Their sharingalso sheds light on stigma, exclusion, and the consequences that these actions could have on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of individuals.
The report also provides insights from a survey conducted into 'pandemic fatigue'.
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COVID-19: an opportunity to challenge our traditional way of working with communities
By Sevde Nur Söylemez
COVID-19 has challenged our approach as humanitarians – how can we still support the most vulnerable while still keeping people safe from this pandemic?
For Turkey, we’ve learned to challenge our traditional way of supporting communities and have adapted – even reinvented some of the ways we do things.
I have worked for the Turkish Red Crescent for more than 2 years now, supporting the world’s largest humanitarian cash programme, the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) with the IFRC and funding from the European Union. This programme supports 1.8 million refugees living in Turkey with monthly cash assistance to help them buy the things they need most.
One of the most critical parts of our job is engaging with the communities we help, to hear people’s perceptions, so we can respond better to their needs. One of the best ways to do this is through focus group discussions - a crucial research tool that provides richer experiences and ideas from people who are generally coming from similar backgrounds.
No matter the condition, never stop the communication
Without the same opportunity to have these face-to-face interactions, we came up with a different innovative approach - remote focus group discussions, which had never been done in the programme before.
Its key findings are fundamental to better understand the current struggles and situations refugees are facing during the pandemic all while keeping them safe from the spread of COVID-19.
Findings: The devastating impacts of COVID-19
I heard many heart-breaking stories of refugees, trying to make ends meet. In most households, the sole breadwinner lost their jobs due to the pandemic. COVID-19’s effect has also had severe mental health impacts – families are more isolated as visits between neighbours, friends and relatives are limited. In addition, the children have some challenges in accessing the online curriculum. Among the things people shared, these quotes stuck out for me:
“I used to have a grocery store, but I had to close it.”
“It affected us and our jobs. I couldn’t work for three months”
“I don’t have neighbours but I have many relatives here. My daughter was in the hospital for 12 days. No one could come because they were afraid.”
Nevertheless, when they talk about the situation, we could see the hope and expectation of a better future. Many told us how the ESSN cash assistance has been a lifeline and that it would have been even harder without it.
How did we conduct the remote focus group discussions?
The Turkish Red Crescent has a call centre, an important source of information for people we help. We utilized this to call families to confirm their participation in the discussion.
We go to the household and meet the participant, ensure written consent and hand them a mobile phone that they use to connect online to a digital focus group discussion, hosted by the Turkish Red Crescent. Field staff were on standby to help if any problem occurs with the connection or device while they were in the session.
During the discussion, if there are any issues we identify it and take or refer the case immediately to our other relevant teams.
Fewer participants, more expression
Across Turkey, we conducted 26 focus group discussions, between four to six participants attending each. Groups were also broken down between men and women. We found we could reach and include the elderly and people with disabilities without inconvenience. This gave us a greater opportunity to hear and understand their opinions and made the bond between us even stronger.
Whenever we arrive in communities, we are welcomed. Although we have physical distance between us – at least 1,5 meters – our faces hidden behind masks, we can still feel the warm smiles.
The pandemic may have changed the way we approach our work, but the connection between us and participants has never stopped, there is always a way.
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This article covers humanitarian aid activities implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Union, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
Advocating for NCD care in humanitarian settings
Civil society – including researchers, NGOs, the private sector and local communities – has a significant role to play in improving understanding and increasing action on Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in humanitarian settings.
This document is the outcome of a Bootcamp, held in June 2018, that brought together young professionals and civil society experts to inspire advocacy action on the challenge of NCDs in humanitarian settings.
Seville Agreement 2.0
The Movement Coordination for Collective Impact Agreement (Seville Agreement 2.0) was adopted at the 2022 Council of Delegates and sets out the coordination responsibilities for the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
It replaces the original Seville “Agreement on the Organization of the International Activities of the Components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement” (Seville Agreement) of 1997 and the “Supplementary Measures to Enhance the Implementation of the Seville Agreement” (Supplementary Measures) of 2005.