Program Contribution for Swiss Red Cross 2023-2024

The SRC’s international cooperation program 2021-2024 was planned in a context of increasing risks from climate change, fragile contexts, protracted armed conflicts, weak health systems, outbreaks of infectious diseases – just before the outbreak of COVID-19 – and the global rise of non-communicable diseases.

Patterns of vulnerability have also changed as a result of consistently increasing economic and social inequalities, dire health and economic consequences from the COVID19-pandemic, multiple armed conflicts, including in Europe, disrupted supply chains, forced displacement, ageing populations, and rapid urbanisation.

Conflict-affected populations and migrants are particularly vulnerable in this context, as they lack access to basic health services, safe water and sanitation, and are prone to violence and abuse. Women and children, as well as marginalised groups are particularly at risk.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the increasingly visible effects of climate change the number of most vulnerable people lacking access to life-saving resources is increasing. SRC’s multi-annual program, co-financed by SDC, addresses the most relevant global challenges while focusing on its RCRC mandate.

Vulnerable people live a healthy life in resilient communities.

They have access to quality health care and are able to have an impact on health determinants and to demand their right to health. They have the capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters appropriately.

In Switzerland, the SRC fosters the awareness of the general public for existing links between poverty, health and disasters, and engages in advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable.

• SRC International Cooperation (IC) implemented a total of 151 health, disaster risk management and National Society Development projects in 38 countries on 4 continents
• At the end of the year 2021, SRC maintained country coordination offices in 22 program countries. In these countries, long-term programs are implemented in partnership with local partners, primarily the Sister National Society of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
• In 2021, the IC program of the SRC reached 4’557’439 beneficiaries through its health interventions, 629’566 beneficiaries through direct project support in disaster risk management and provided coordinated support to 20 Sister National Societies in partner countries
• In the area of National Society Development, SRC provided coordinated technical and financial support improving governance structures, focusing on branch development and addressing questions of long-term financial and operational sustainability

Partnership and organizational development: as mentioned above (ML 1), SRC engaged and invested heavily in National Society Development supporting 20 Sister National Societies in their strife for sustainable development. The learning journey led by SDC on strengthening civil society and country ownership was a very useful addition to the activities performed. It also enhanced SRC’s proper strife for organisational development to genuinely absorb changes for localisation also on an institutional level within SRC’s institutional structures (Process Albatross). 

Gender & Diversity (G&D) Charter & Compliance mechanisms for PSEAH: G&D mandatory minimum standards are applied by SRC as employer and promoted in strategic and operational dialogue with partners. The SRC Sounding Board G&D released the strategy and activity planning for 2021-22 with a specific focus on diversity. At the strategic level, the SRC Board agreed to the “Personalpolitischen Richtwerte 2030 zu Gender & Diversität für die GS SRK”. SRC also participated in the SDC induced PSEAH learning sessions. “Safecall” is still the contracted partner of SRC for confidential independent reporting of any violations of the Red Cross principles, the personnel regulations or the law, including discrimination, corruption & sexual harassment.

1. Health: The health status of vulnerable people has improved. 
2. Disaster risk management: The resilience of people, groups and communities is strengthened
3. National Society Development: National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies consistently deliver country-wide services to vulnerable people sustained for as long as needed
4. Relief: People affected by emergencies can secure their means for survival (For this outcome, SRC receives unearmarked funds from SDC / Humanitarian Aid: The “Katastrophenhilfebeitrag”)

1. SRC strengthens civil society and country ownership in accordance with the provisions of the “OECD-DAC Recommendations on Enabling Civil Society” and the relevant “GPEDC principles”
2. The Gender & Diversity mainstreaming is implemented in the SRC International Cooperation Program 2021-2024

Phase 18 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Completed)