31 st international conference

www.ifrc.orgSaving lives, changing minds.

31st International conference

28 November - 1 December 2011Taking a closer look at other topics

11th-12th October 2011Razmi Farook


2

Strengthening Disaster Law

• Risk reduction legislation• IDRL• Regulatory barriers to

shelter

Strengthening IHL •Strengthening Legal Protection

for Victims of Armed Conflicts• IHL & the challenges of

contemporary armed conflicts•4 year plan of action

Strengthening local humanitarian action• Partnership for stronger NSs &

volunteering development • Migration: ensuring

access,dignity,respect for diversity, social inclusion

Addressing barriers to health care • 'Health Care in Danger'• Inequitable access to health care

ObjectivesStrengthening IHL and humanitarian actions

Our world. Your move – for humanity


RESOLUTIONS EXPECTED

Strengthening Legal Protection for victims of Armed Conflicts Four-year action plan for IHL Respecting and Protecting Health Care in armed conflict and other

situations of violence Implementation of the MoU PRCS-MDA Strengthening disaster laws Health inequities with a focus on women & children Furthering auxiliary role: partnership for stronger NSs &

volunteering development Migration: ensuring access, dignity, respect for diversity and social

inclusion


HUMANITARIAN ACTION

Migration, ensuring access, dignity, respect for diversity and social inclusion

Health Inequities with a Focus on Women and Children

Furthering Auxilliary Role: partnership for stronger auxilliary role and volunteer development


Migration in South Asia

Every year, over 1.5 million workers migrate abroad

major countries of origin, while India and Pakistan are also classified as countries of destination and transit South Asia alone

Due to porous borders in the region, there is also a trend of irregular, undocumented movements

Global financial crisis-irregular migrations increases


Migration in South Asia cont.

Govts developing strategies for dealing with GFC

Govts exploring longer term support for rehabilitation of affected workers

There are also a large number of IDPs due to conflict/rural-urban disparities or environmental impact


Why is migration important to IFRC?

Working with vulnerable migrants is firmly established in our mission and fundamental principles as well as in our global volunteer and community base.

In 2007, the role of National Societies “in providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable migrants, irrespective of their legal status” was recognised by States.


IFRC Policy on Migration

The Policy on Migration was adopted by the IFRC Governing Board in 2009, and

Endorsed by the 17th General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2009


IFRC Policy on Migration 10 Migration principles

1. Focus on the needs and vulnerabilities of migrants

2. Include migrants in humanitarian programming

3. Support the aspirations of migrants

4. Recognize the rights of migrants

5. Link assistance, protection and humanitarian advocacy for migrants


IFRC Policy on Migration 10 Migration principles

6. Build partnerships for migrants

7. Work along the migratory trails

8. Assist migrants in return

9. Respond to the displacement of populations

10. Alleviate migratory pressures on communities of origin


The Proposed Draft Resolution on Migration is comprised of four elements

1. Importance of Access of RCRC National Societies to all migrants, regardless of their legal status

2. Importance of providing all migrants urgent and essential humanitarian assistance and protection at the border.


Four migration sub-topics

3. Importance of Partnerships which strengthen the humanitarian and protection services for vulnerable migrants

4.Importance of States and RCRC Movement jointly addressing Xenophobia and stigmatisation of migrants by promoting respect for diversity, non violence and social inclusion


Health Inequalities in South Asia

34% of child deaths occur in South Asia and the region has almost two thirds of the global burden of malnutrition.

Of an estimated half a million maternal deaths worldwide, almost half occur in South and Southeast Asia

India alone has more than 900,000 new born deaths

South Asia still has a long way to go to meet MDGS for maternal and child mortality


No person of conscience should stand by and see such needless deaths continue. It is said that a society can be judged by how it treats women and children. Just as no woman should die needlessly in childbirth. Each of us can make a difference. Together we can improve the health and well-being of women and children. When they thrive, so will our world.


MDG 4: Social and Gender inequities need to be addressed


Health inequities:Reducing the burden on women and children

Women and children are among the most vulnerable, focusing efforts on them promises gains for everyone

A needs-based approach addresses the causes of health inequities and capitalizes on the Movement’s strengths. Human rights offer guiding principles, informing and complementing a needs-based approach

A needs-based approach draws on existing RCRC activities and requires specific principles for action


Examples of Public Health Concerns in Asia Pacific

Non-communicable diseases cause 47-80% of all deaths in AP

HIV 2009: 360 000 new infections, 300 000 HIV-related deaths

Recurrent dengue and cholera / diarrheal “epidemics” Tuberculosis: largest numbers of new cases and drug

resistant TB Top 3 killers in natural disasters: acute respiratory

infections, diarrhoeal diseases and malaria Road Safety: >500 000 traffic related deaths annually


Health inequities are “unfair and avoidable differences in health status within and between countries”

Health inequities are rising despite overall progress in health

Simple, cost-effective measures reduce health inequities, leading to significantly better health when scaled-up

Most maternal and child deaths are preventable

Failing to reduce health inequities potentially leaves the most vulnerable at sustained risk and disadvantage, especially in times of economic uncertainty


Women and children are among the most vulnerablefocusing efforts on them promises gains for everyone

Focusing on women and children, who are among the most vulnerable, can begin to dismantle obstacles to equity

Multiplier effect:

Dismantling barriers to health that burden either women or children benefits the other, as the health problems of mothers affect their children and vice versa

Benefits spill over to families and communities, rendering women and children a gateway to improving population health, economic growth, and development


What is needed?

Provision of prevention, treatment, care, and support when and where they are needed

Make accurate and reliable health information available

Promote gender equity, non-discrimination, and non-violence


A needs-based approach draws on existing RCRC activities and requires the following principles for action National Societies are called upon to

Use their status as auxiliaries to their public authorities to engage in dialogue, review existing health plans, and advocate for equity

Engage in advocacy on health-seeking behaviours and strengthen partnerships with Governments and Civil Society Organizations to extend advocacy effectiveness

Set the example of gender equity in their own policies and programs and serve as role models for governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector


A needs-based approach draws on existing RCRC activities and requires specific principles for action

Governments are called upon to:

Encourage the formal health system to embrace non-discrimination, and improve the quality and character of patient-provider interactions by increasing commitments to non-discrimination, ethical practices, and professional health care standards


INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF VOLUNTEERS

RECOGNITION

PROTECTION

PROMOTION


Getting access to those in need through National Societies and Volunteering

Furthering the auxiliary role for Stronger National Societies

Furthering the auxiliary role toward stronger volunteer development


Auxiliary Status: Specific and distinctive relationship between States and National Societies NS participation in the implementation of the States

Obligation on the basis of International Law and Resolutions of the International Conference in related tasks such as social services, disaster management and RFL

NSs right to dialogue with public authorities on all levels on matters within their competencies

Creation by the state of an enabling environment for the NS

Authorisation of NS to assist regular medical service of its armed forces and employment of NS personnel within that framework


Enable a legal environment for volunteerism

Recognising the role of volunteers

Ensure adequate provision defining the status as well as rights & duties of volunteers


Additional resources

31st International Conference websitehttp://rcrcconference.org/en

30th International Conference Red Cross and the Red Crescent, Geneva, November 2007: “Declaration: Together for humanity” http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/pubs/events/intconf07/adopted/declaration-en.pdf

The Policy on Migration and background documents are available online: http://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/migration/

http://rcrcconference.org/en

http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/pubs/events/intconf07/adopted/declaration-en.pdf

http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/pubs/events/intconf07/adopted/declaration-en.pdf

http://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/migration/


NEXT STEPS

Have conversations within respective NS’s and feed coordinated NS responses back to us on the draft resolution.

We would like feedback on the resolution by 1 November to be able to revise

Where practical we would also request undertaking meetings with respective Government Ministries and brief them on the upcoming International Conference using the advocacy material we have provided on Fednet (see link) https://fednet.ifrc.org/en/resources-and-services/migration/migration-at-the-31st-international-conference/

Send any proposed pledges to us in order that we can coordinate and share with others

https://fednet.ifrc.org/en/resources-and-services/migration/migration-at-the-31st-international-conference/

https://fednet.ifrc.org/en/resources-and-services/migration/migration-at-the-31st-international-conference/

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