Overview
The Red Cross contribution to development is through services in relation to disasters, health, and social provision that are designed to prevent and reduce the underlying causes of vulnerability. We also contribute to development by building resilient community and civil society capacities, and changing mindsets for social and personal transformation.The Red Cross/EU Office's International Development Unit monitors and engages in relevant EU development issues linked to the priorities important for the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The Unit assists the EU National Red Cross Societies in their relations with the EU institutions on all issues related to international long term development programmes. Areas of concern are: health, disaster preparedness and risk reduction, climate change, migration, food security and water and sanitation.
HEALTH (including malaria,HIV/AIDS & tuberculosis)
MALARIA
Tackling malaria remains one of the most cost-effective public health measures, producing excellent health and economic returns.
The Red Cross/EU Office seeks to raise awareness of European Union decision-makers and civil society about the need for predictable and sustained funding for malaria.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS will kill more people this decade than all the wars and disasters in the past 50 years.
The Red Cross/Red Crescent is committed to continuing and scaling-up prevention, destigmatization, advocacy and provision of health care and other services related to HIV/AIDS.
The Red Cross EU Office disseminates information on activities of the Red Cross/Red Crescent related to HIV/AIDS.
TUBERCULOSIS
Of the eight million new cases annually, 95% are in developing countries.
The Red Cross EU Office advocates for the EU to give renewed attention for the fight against tuberculosis both within and outside the EU.
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The Red Cross/Red Crescent emphasises that disaster risk reduction, and disaster reparedness in particular, play an essential role in reducing the human and socio-economic costs of disasters.
The Red Cross EU Office advocates for mainstreaming risk reduction and disaster preparedness in both development and humanitarian aid policies and programmes through:
- highlighting the positive impact of risk reduction and disaster preparedness activities on communities
- disseminating information on the Red Cross/Red Crescent experience and expertise
- raising awareness of the humanitarian impacts of climate change
FOOD SECURITY & WATER and SANITATION
The Red Cross EU Office:
- Raises the concerns of vulnerable communities from the south in order to emphasise the need to strengthen response capacities of local beneficiaries in policy and implementation of EU response in the areas of food security and rural development.
- Supports National Red Cross Societies, in collaboration with the IFRC, in the formulation and implementation of water & sanitation projects funded under the ACP EU Water facility.
- Brings experience from ongoing programmes in the field to the European institutions and advocates for inclusion of local partners from the south
MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Migration and development traditionally treated as two separate policy portfolios are increasingly considered as interrelated. Indeed, while development related initiatives can help tackling the root causes of migration, migration can in turn contribute to poverty reduction and social empowerment.
The Red Cross EU Office advocates for the rights of migrants and asylum seekers and refugees at European Union level, highlighting the vulnerabilities and needs of migrants regardless of their status.
