Central and South Eastern Europe 2023 IFRC Network Country Plan (MAA70003) – Albania | Popgen Tech

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NATIONAL SOCIETY PROFILE

The Albanian Red Cross, the oldest humanitarian organization in Albania, was founded in 1921. In 1923 it was admitted to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). With commendable activities before and after the Second World War, the National Society created its own profile as a modern National Red Cross Society, thanks to regular communication with the most developed Red Cross Societies of that time.

After the war, the state gradually curtailed much of the National Society’s activities and reduced its operational capabilities. As a result, it has lost its identity. An arbitrary decision in 1969 finally officially suspended the National Association, and it ceased to exist for more than 20 years. At the beginning of the 1990s, the National Association resumed its activity by building a legal base and organizational structure, which has been continuously consolidated since then. The National Association was recognized in legislation by the Albanian Parliament in 1994 as an independent voluntary humanitarian organization.

The National Association is an auxiliary service for the public authorities in the humanitarian field throughout Albania, demonstrating its ability to organize humanitarian aid operations during crisis and disasters. Through its developing programmes, the National Association is active in providing social and health assistance to communities in need, contributing to the reduction of vulnerability. It is also working to convey the concerns and interests of vulnerable people to the decision-making authorities.

The National Association’s main programs are disaster preparedness response and emergency relief, social welfare, health and youth and humanitarian education.

The beginning of the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina dates back to 1912. The organization founded in that period was called The Bosnia and Herzegovina Society for Assistance and Voluntary Medical Assistance during the War and in cases of large-scale disasters in peacetime . Its aims were identical to those of the Red Cross. Respecting the historical identity and continuity of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Red Cross, the State recognized the organization’s long history of activities by adopting a law on the use and protection of the emblem and the name of the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The National Association was admitted to the IFRC as a member in 2001.

The relevant provisions of the law and its statutes define the National Association as a humanitarian organization of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, recognized and authorized to pursue humanitarian goals, tasks and public authority. It carries out these responsibilities in health education activities, social protection, tracing services and other peacetime program activities. It also does so during natural and other disasters and emergency situations, in accordance with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The National Society is the only Red Cross organization operational in the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is composed of the Red Cross Societies of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska and the Brcko District. The National Association has modern, widely recognized and accepted programs. With its single network of Red Cross organizations and volunteers (representing the foundation of the organization), the National Society, independently or in partnership with governmental institutions or other non-governmental humanitarian organizations, initiated and carried out a series of activities in response to the needs of the most vulnerable people in the country.

The Red Cross of Montenegro was founded in 1875 in Cetinje, as the first national Red Cross Society in the Balkans and the 22nd in the world. It was internationally recognized in November of the same year. After the restoration of the sovereignty of the state of Montenegro in 2006, the Red Cross of Montenegro renewed the status of an independent National Association in 2006. In 2007 it renewed its full membership of the IFRC.

While carrying out its tasks of public interest assigned by law and implementing programs and activities within its humanitarian mission, the Red Cross of Montenegro aims to provide an adequate humanitarian response to all vulnerable individuals and families. It responds to the humanitarian needs of people in a state of social vulnerability – especially the Roma and Egyptian communities – older and single people, children and young people with special needs, homeless people, those affected by disasters and crises, victims of violence , displaced persons, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, and other vulnerable groups.

Within the framework of its humanitarian mandate, the Red Cross of Montenegro has been recognized by the state as an important and reliable partner in the implementation of numerous strategies aimed at improving the lives of target groups facing humanitarian problems and vulnerability improve and protect.

The Red Cross of Montenegro has been recognized as an implementation partner within various national strategies, including those on:

• Social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians (to 2020)

• Disaster Risk Reduction (2018–2023)

• Integration of persons with disabilities (until 2020)

• Development of the social protection system for the elderly (2018–2022)

• Social and Child Protection System Development (2018–2022)

• Preventing and protecting children from violence (2017–2021)

• Combating human trafficking (2019–2024)

• Integrated Migration Management

The National Association has special obligations in the field of the dissemination of international humanitarian law, health services and preparedness for response in circumstances of mass disasters and crises. It focuses on the global humanitarian problems of reducing the risks of the consequences of climate change, protecting victims of violence and promoting non-discrimination and non-violence.

The National Association is an active member of the Center for Cooperation in the Mediterranean. Since 2008 it has been a full member of the International Lifesaving Federation and the only organization in the country licensed to hold lifeguard training courses on water.

The Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia was established in 1945 within the Democratic Federal Yugoslavia. After the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1992, the organization acted as an independent National Association and became a full member of the IFRC in 1995.

The work of the National Association is regulated by a special law on the Red Cross. The organization consists of 33 branches and the City Red Cross of Skopje. Its programs are implemented with the support of 12,000 members, 2,400 active volunteers and 200 staff members. The role of the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia is to nurture the strength of humanity, to be where it is needed, and to provide support to various target groups in the population.

It fulfills an auxiliary role and supports state authorities in carrying out various humanitarian tasks, in accordance with the needs of the population. In collaboration with institutions and partners, it works to prevent disease, improve health and alleviate human suffering through its own programs in the fields of education, health and social care. It provides humanitarian aid in emergencies, works to spread international humanitarian law, and shares and promotes the principles and ideals of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It also raises awareness about the protection of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems.