Red Cross Red Crescent approach to resilience
The IFRC’s Strategy 2020 asserts the specific contribution of the Red Cross to sustainable development is through strengthening community resilience.
With volunteers living in their communities and as auxiliaries to the local and national public authorities, the Red Cross is well placed to contribute to strengthening community resilience.
In combination with its worldwide presence, the recognition of its neutral status grants the Red Cross access to groups and areas in conflict and unstable situations that are out of reach for other organisations. The Red Cross is therefore in a position to promote resilience in Fragile States.
Our approach
- Put people first. Whatever external actors do to strengthen resilience is only complementary and assisting communities in their own efforts.
- Respect local ownership. Communities need to be consulted in the earliest stages of the project to ensure that their needs are met.
- Ensure cross-sectoral assessments, planning and implementation.
- Prioritise the most vulnerable.
- Include the most vulnerable groups.
- Build Red Cross capacities.
- Incorporate a long-term perspective.
- Work in partnership with other actors.
- Strengthen the unique role of the Red Cross in its auxiliary role with governments and authorities to achieve impact at scale.
The Red Cross urges all EU Member States, the EU and their agencies to address vulnerability and improve community resilience at individual, family or community levels using a multisectoral and complimentary approach based on local vulnerability and capacity assessments.
