Partners meet to enhance humanitarian engagement

October 17,2018 – Presidents, Secretary Generals and Senior Officials of four National Societies from Africa and the Netherlands Red Cross Convened in Addis Ababa to put ways to enhance and strengthen their Humanitarian engagement. The Strategic Partnership agreement between the Netherlands Red Cross and Ethiopian, Benin, Ivory Coast and Zambia National Societies was established before five years with the aim of identifying common objectives and overcoming challenges.

Limited resources to reach out all the people in need during crisis is among the challenges that partners raised during their discussion. “In the last couple of years we have had conflicts and displacements in different parts of the country. People everywhere and always want Red Cross to be the one to respond to their needs. Most of the time it is challenging to mobilize resources and deliver for all during crises” said Frehiwot Worku, Ethiopian Red Cross Society Secretary General (ERCS).

The other challenge raised by ERCS and shared by the rest of the national societies is lack of understanding among stakeholders on how the Red Cross Movement members access funds and operate. According to the participants, there is still a lot to be done to increase understanding and strengthen national Societies.

“We are not only supporting with funding of projects for service delivery, we are now exploring ways which enable National Societies to be less dependent and more legitimate on international assistant” said Mr. Juriaan Ruben Lahhr, Netherlands Red Cross International Department Head.

A frame work of Partnership Agreement was also signed between the Netherlands Red Cross and Ivory Coast Red Cross Society. Similar agreement  between The Netherlands and Ethiopia signed  two years ago aims to strengthen partnership and maintain long term collaboration.

The meeting has also agreed to work together in adapting the rapid technical and digital revolution to remain relevant to the future.