South East Asia Appeal No. MAA51001

In brief Programme summary: Host national societies, partner national societies and the secretariat all began to implement the Federation of the Future (FOF) during 2006. The knowledge of many Federation stakeholders of FOF deepened and commitment strengthened, programmes were more aligned, scaling up was on the agenda (not though consistently demonstrated), and new, more ambitious and innovative ways of working were slowly evolving. To use the FOF catchphrase, in 2006, the Federation aimed higher and delivered some results. The regional secretariat team contributed to this overall achievement in 2006 by: • Strengthening the knowledge and understanding of Federation of the Future among many

stakeholders in the region, paving the way for stronger implementation. • Expanding the ‘business’ of the Federation, i.e. contributed to scaling up against the Global Agenda. • Adding value in terms of quality, accountability and measurability of programming around several of

the ten areas for improvement of the Framework for Action. • Strengthening belief and commitment to the humanitarian cause around the Federation’s vision and

values. • Improving institutional and operational capacity of national societies through the ten core membership

services (and taken steps to improve measurement and identification of gaps through the development of a template to act as a ‘reality check’).

• Mobilizing broader, more coherent and coordinated partnerships that invest in Red Cross Red Crescent work, i.e. ‘the selling of Red Cross Red Crescent shares more widely in the humanitarian stock market’. The team has recognized that the Red Cross Red Crescent cannot ‘do it alone’ and more than past conventional approaches is required.

• Providing different perspectives on secretariat ways of working and consequent structural changes. Overall challenge for 2007: The Federation, however, must clearly do more and continue to relate what it does more to FOF. Even though all components are on the right path (at varying pace), the need is to collectively move ahead faster.

This report covers the period of 01/01/06 to 31/12/06 of a two-year planning and appeal process. In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

Already there, always there: Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers. International Federation.

Needs: Total 2006-2007 budget CHF 9.17 million (USD 7.55 million or EUR 5.75 million) out of which 45% is covered. Click here to go directly to the attached Financial Report 2006 Click here for details on the strategy of secretariat support in South East Asia Click here for a report on membership service delivery in South East Asia in 2006 No. of people we help: millions via the direct support provided to the region’s 11 national societies Our Partners: Long-standing and loyal multilateral partners in South East Asia include: Red Cross societies from Japan, Finland, New Zealand, Germany, Netherlands and Austria; Red Cross societies/governments from Sweden, Norway and Australia; the Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC); the British government (DFID), Capacity Building Fund (CBF) and Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Strong bilateral support (note some partners work both multilaterally and bilaterally) has been provided by: the Red Cross societies from America, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Netherlands and Spain. Additional multilateral partners have engaged in support of national society around emergency operations: • Philippines landslide and floods - the Red Cross Red Crescent societies of Cyprus, Qatar,

Switzerland and Turkey, the Singapore Red Cross/government, Taiwan Red Cross Organization, Macau branch of the RCSC, Andorra government and OPEC.

• Timor-Leste storms and floods – Red Cross societies of Monaco and Republic of Korea as well as New Zealand government/NZAID.

• Vietnam Cyclone Damrey – Boeing (with American Red Cross) and Monaco Red Cross • Additional bilateral partners that contributed to national society emergency response include: Red

Cross Red Crescent societies of Bahrain, Malaysia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Current context

South East Asia, comprising 11 countries, demonstrated throughout 2006 that it is a region of exciting opportunity and progress although significant challenges around vulnerability were evident. The region’s national societies continued to reach vulnerable people and consistently make a difference to their lives. Federation support strengthened capacity, but in some areas, of course, there is still a need for effective support at the country level. Disasters continued to be a regular feature: some of the major ones saw widespread death and destruction in Indonesia (Yogjakarta earthquake) Timor-Leste (storms and floods); Philippines (Southern Leyte landslides and Typhoon Milenyo/Xangsane); and Vietnam

The regional programme helped initiate a coordinated approach to avian flu preparedness both within the Movement and with other leading humanitarian organizations. International Federation.

(Typhoon Xangsane). There was also political instability, including violence and a change of prime minister in Timor-Leste as well as a bloodless coup in Thailand. The potential for an avian influenza pandemic was a constant threat throughout 2006 and the struggle to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS were two of the main contextual factors that affected 2006 and influenced thinking for 2007. Red Cross Red Crescent societies in South East Asia remained uniquely positioned in their respective countries – through their extensive national networks and huge volunteer base – to play a vital auxiliary role with their governments in addressing humanitarian challenges, in line with the Federation’s Global Agenda and the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Progress towards objectives Programme objectives and expected results of all sectors in the Report 2006-2007 are in accordance to those in Programme Update no.1. New objectives and expected results in Programme Update no.2: 2007 Outlook will only apply to 2007 developments to be reported in the next update. Health Objective: The region’s national societies deliver quality health and care programmes and services that address the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Expected results for the HIV/AIDS, public health in emergencies, water and sanitation, blood donor recruitment and first aid projects have been streamlined/updated. HIV/AIDS

Expected result: National societies are able to scale up and improve the effectiveness of their HIV/AIDS programmes. Three national societies in the Asia Pacific (Indonesia, Cambodia and Mongolia) have critically looked into HIV-related discrimination issues at the workplace and developed policy guidelines on discrimination prevention. Public health in emergencies Expected result: National societies are able to prepare and respond effectively to epidemics and health aspects in disasters in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. In response to the global human influenza pandemic threat and recurring avian influenza outbreaks in the region, more than half of regional national societies (Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines) have introduced or significantly scaled up their existing avian influenza activities during year 2006. Aimed at raising public awareness on avian influenza and improving community preparedness, national societies’ work in this field contributed to reducing the risk of avian influenza outbreaks in many

V for volunteers: the real meaning of community outreach. International Federation.

communities across the region. The regional health unit Bangkok has contributed to this process with active technical support, resource mobilization and regional advocacy. During 2006, the Bangkok regional health unit (RHU) trained 25 experienced public health professionals from regional national societies. As a result, the region has increased public health in emergency preparedness to respond to regional and national scale disasters, which in turn helped generate interest in improving the quality of public health in emergencies interventions among national societies. One of the key lessons learnt from this training was a need for more on-the-job training in health in emergencies for national society staff and volunteers and better integration with regular regional disaster response team (RDRT) trainings at the regional level. The regional health unit staff have participated in field assessment and coordination team (FACT) deployments in the region and supported the RDRT deployments, further strengthening the link between global, regional and national disaster response mechanisms and contributing to transfer of skills in health and water sanitation in emergencies to national society staff and volunteers. The RHU initiated and conducted nine monthly regional interagency meetings on avian influenza among international organizations in Bangkok during the year, profiling very well at the regional level the contributions of the International Federation in avian influenza. These interagency meetings have increased the visibility and credibility of the Federation in being a leader in public health emergencies while enhancing the collective learning of organizations throughout the region on avian influenza. The calibre of the regional delegation’s work has been recognized by external technical organizations, which have recommended the Federation RHU be the focal point for interagency planning for avian flu in the region. The evolving result of all this continues to be better prepared and protected communities.

Engaged: the Red Cross Red Crescent works side by side with communities. International Federation.

Psychosocial support programme (PSP) Expected result: There is an increased capacity in the national societies for providing psychosocial support to people affected by disasters and other crises situations. National society capacity in psychosocial support in the region was enhanced by providing technical support through 12 country visits to help implement and address the psychosocial needs of affected populations served by six national societies. As a result, five national societies were assisted in identifying focal persons for the psychosocial support programme for more structured programme development and implementation. The psychosocial support programme manual was translated into four local versions (Malaysian Bahasa, Burmese, Vietnamese, Indonesian Bahasa). Electronic and hard copies of the community-based training manual and CD tool kits were distributed to ten national societies. The national societies use these as reference and generic tools for the production of their own local version of relevant brochures, posters and handouts for mass education in the community. During 2006, the RHU organized and conducted six psychosocial support programme trainings at the regional and country level involving five national societies (Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Thai Red Cross Society, Myanmar Red Cross, Philippine National Red Cross, and Indonesian Red Cross). These trainings resulted in a total of 278 graduates who would serve as implementers and master trainers.

Graduates would also promote the psychosocial support programme in their national society, leading to better assistance to vulnerable communities. The first regional workshop was conducted in May 2006, attended by 26 participants from ten national society and three partner national societies. Likewise, psychosocial support programme training for 28 RDRT members was conducted with a focus on psychological first aid, which is applicable during their deployment to disaster areas as frontline responders in emergencies. The sessions on managing stress in the field for RDRT members – part of the preparedness for humanitarian workers to handle their own stress (including post-deployment stress) – was recognized during a review last April in Bangkok. Psychosocial support response by national society during major disasters was a priority of the RHU; it provided technical assistance to national societies that are implementing rehabilitation and recovery activities for populations affected by major disasters. During 2006, RHU supported psychosocial support programme trainings, conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), for a total of 465 staff and volunteers from the chapters. The RHU also provided technical support to PNRC in preparing action plans and project proposal to access funds for the Leyte landslide / Bicol mudslide disaster and to implement the psychosocial support programme in six affected villages, which benefited a total of 1,431 survivors. Additionally, technical support to Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia or PMI) psychosocial support programme focal persons, technical staff and 12 volunteers during the Yogyakarta earthquake enabled technical mentoring. The mentoring focused on psychosocial assessment to identify gaps and areas of support and provided recommendations on mid- to long-term planning for effective implementation of the psychosocial support programme to most affected areas. Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion Expected result: Technical support to water and sanitation disaster response and developmental efforts is coordinated at global, regional and country levels, so that vulnerable people’s acute and chronic water and sanitation needs are met. In disaster preparedness and response The first specialized training on water and sanitation in emergencies was conducted with 28 participants of eight national societies (in cooperation with German and American Red Cross societies) to improve emergency response capacity. A development-orientated workshop was held with 15 participants from six national societies and partner national societies, focusing on monitoring and evaluation, different technologies and approaches and the International Federation tools and initiatives. In this workshop it came out clearly that the capacity in water and sanitation exists and there is great potential to grow and improve in the region.

Technical assistance for water and sanitation programmes continued in 2006 with in country support to: • the provision of water supply and sanitation and hygiene promotion programme in 14 tsunami-affected

schools in Thailand; • the completion of the first two-year phase and planning of the second phase of the water and

sanitation/community-based first aid programme (New Zealand Red Cross funded), where water and sanitation facilities and training were conducted for the water committees in 34 communities with 17,700 beneficiaries; and

• the emergency and recovery operations in the Philippines and Yokyakarta.

In development The Red Cross Red Crescent supports water and sanitation projects in those countries in South East Asia where access to clean water and adequate sanitation remains a challenge. In, for example Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste, access to safe water is respectively at 41 percent, 51 percent and 58 percent, while suitable access to adequate sanitation is respectively at 17 percent, 30 percent and 36 percent (data as of 2004, source: United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report 2006). These percentages are even lower in rural areas where water sources are unprotected, potentially contaminated or difficult to access and sanitary facilities are scarce and hygiene awareness is limited.

Water and sanitation programmes are often integrated with other programmes such as public health in emergencies and community health and community-based first aid programmes. This is exemplified in Indonesia, Laos and Cambodia where information messages on dengue fever and malaria have been included in the hygiene promotion part of the programme. Blood donor recruitment Expected result: The International Federation works with national societies to promote voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation South East Asia was well represented at the 10th International Colloquium on voluntary non-remunerated blood donor recruitment (VNBDR) where nine blood donor recruitment managers and one volunteer from six national societies (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) represented South East Asia. The blood managers networked to consolidate existing partnerships, establish new relationships, and share information on strengthening the recruitment, motivation, and retention of voluntary non-remunerated blood donors. A direct impact from this global information exchange was that 20 Red Cross youths attended the 1st South East Asian youth donor workshop hosted by Thai Red Cross in conjunction with World Blood Donor Day. Those youths advocated for, and assisted in, the establishment of two new youth donor clubs (Thailand, Myanmar) within the region in 2006. Over 120 new youths have joined the Club25 movement in 2006, which aims to strengthen existing blood donor networks and commit to expansion by engaging youth. In celebration of World Blood Donor Day 2006, the Thai Red Cross was selected as a host country for the global launch, with the tag line ‘I Am…and I Save Lives’. Approximately 3,000 people participated in the event, which included various activities such as a parade, blood donations, a pictorial wall of humanity, exhibition, digital gift of life, health check-up, food stalls, entertainment and a youth camp. World Blood Donor Day was broadcast live via the Global Network and graciously presided over by the Royal Princess of Thailand. Key messages from youth representatives were read in six languages (Thai, English, French, Chinese, Arabic, and Hindi) to support voluntary blood donation and serve as a role models for other youths. The South East Asia regional delegation was requested to present key messages together with World Health Organization (WHO), International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations (FIODS), International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), and the Thai Red Cross. First aid Expected result: Mortality and morbidity is reduced by applying effective first aid, adopting a community-based and integrated approach In late 2006, the South East Asia regional health unit facilitated seven participants from three national societies and Federation delegations to attend an Asia Pacific-wide conference on community-based first aid, which increased the recognition of exemplary community-based first aid and first aid programmes in South East Asia. The conference further committed national societies towards ensuring high quality community-based health programmes and increased regional knowledge sharing. It also created networks, and avenue for feedback on real first aid/community-based first aid needs and activities from national societies. Coordination Expected result: There is improved coordination of health and care activities within the International Red Cross and Reed Crescent Movement, and with relevant external agencies in the region, to ensure development of sustainable health programmes The official release of the Regional Health Mapping of South East Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies’ Programmes was launched in late 2006. This comprehensive collection of reports that chronicles national societies’ capacities, resources, and strategic areas for growth in health was distributed to all components within the Federation. It offers background information that can enhance quality strategic planning in 2007 and beyond. The mapping has increased the visibility of national societies’ health programme strengths and advanced regional information sharing. Within two months of

the mapping launch, several partner national societies with regional health interests as well as the RHU have used the mapping for to guide programme support in 2007 according to national health needs. Disaster management Objective: The disaster preparedness and response capacity at national and regional level is substantially improved and the linkages to the Federation’s global response system assured, through a comprehensive, integrated regional disaster management approach. Overview During 2006, a number of trends emerged within the region, linked to the cumulative development of the capacity of the 11 national societies over the previous five years. The obvious focus on disaster response and response preparedness after the Asian tsunami of December 2004 has had an impact on the region, especially in initiatives around risk reduction and climate change. In light of this, the regional disaster management programme worked with each national society to adopt a holistic or balanced approach to disaster management, and in so doing so encouraged national societies to reflect on their individual needs and look to institutionalizing risk reduction into their strategies, policy and planning. Furthermore, during 2006, the disaster management structure of the Federation was strengthened with the establishment of the Asia Pacific disaster management unit. As such, the regional disaster management programme will work with the unit to formalize its terms of reference in 2007 and its support to the pan-regional disaster management capacity. Changes in other departments have also had an impact on the programme, where population movement will be transferred to the humanitarian values department and be incorporated into a wider advocacy and awareness raising programme. Expected results: • All national societies are systematically addressing their disaster management development needs,

based on well-developed plans and through strengthened regional cooperation. • The disaster response and response preparedness capacity within the regional is further strengthened,

at both individual national society and regional level, and the understanding of and linkages to the Federation’s global response system are assured.

• The linkages and mechanisms for disaster management information and knowledge sharing between the national, regional and global level are substantially improved.

• The Federation’s regional disaster management cooperation framework is further developed, maintained and sustained.

Genuine progress was recorded in 2006. To progress more in 2007, the regional disaster management programme will: • expand support to emerging donor national society in South East Asia, particularly strengthening their

regional response tools; • work with all national societies to develop clear national response and contingency planning in which

the Federation secretariat will develop regional-level response and contingency plans; • support the concept of pre-disaster agreements between national societies and their governments;

and, • clarify the role of Red Cross Red Crescent vis-à-vis the increasing government-to-government support

in disaster response. The regional disaster management team has supported national societies at the country level by providing tailored inputs into the development of their disaster management capacity and systems. The regional team has also worked closely with the national society and country delegations in programming, strategies, preparedness plans, workshops, courses and evaluations. Specifically in Thailand, support was provided in enhancing the basic understanding of disaster management concepts, methodologies and practices of the Red Cross Red Crescent. In Timor-Leste, an integrated team comprising the Federation secretariat, partner national societies and an external consultant developed a broad proposal

for Timor Leste Red Cross (Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste and CVTL) to take their disaster management programme forward over the next five years in line with the strategic plan, as well as the development of a national disaster response team (NDRT). Similarly in Lao, support was provided in developing NDRT and in reviewing their overall disaster management programme for 2007 and beyond, while support was provided to Cambodia Red Cross in developing a multi-year disaster response preparedness project. At a regional level, systems and readiness were improved with regard to hazard mapping, response preparedness and RDRT deployment. This has also provided a greater understanding and communication of hazard monitoring, disaster preparedness and the way in which the regional disaster management programme supports the wider Federation. This greater awareness was in part through the national societies’ consistent use of the Federation’s disaster management information system (DMIS) tool. The regional RDRT induction course was improved through a review of the curriculum (which will continue with support from the Asia Pacific disaster management unit in 2007) and participant selection as well as the introduction of a more formalized assessment process. The assessment process identifies participants who are suitable to be deployed immediately and those who require further experience. This is particularly helpful feedback to the national society disaster management managers, who can then manage their staff and volunteers accordingly. With regard to regional cooperation and networking, the tenth regional disaster management unit meeting was a success in many ways. Not only did the forum allow national society disaster management mangers to meet and exchange experiences and best practices, it also addressed some long-term issues for the regional disaster management committee. This included the committee’s framework, standard operating procedures and issues around Red Cross Red Crescent involvement in government-to government-support. Furthermore, the meeting concluded with a clear action plan that has been the basis for the focus of the regional programme. In addition, national society representatives were either present or represented at major disaster management meetings, including the Federation’s global and Asia Pacific disaster management strategy development. This is an important activity to not only provide a platform for the national society to share their experience, but also to benefit from and be a part of the wider evolution of disaster management regionally and globally. Finally, linkages were developed between the Federation of the Future and the regional disaster management programme, especially through the preparation for the Asia Pacific statutory conference in Singapore in November 2006 and the documents that the focal national society contributed to this forum. Partnership Many initiatives were achieved in 2006 with continued support from various partners, particularly Swedish Red Cross who have been a long-term contributor to the regional disaster management programme. It is hoped that such long-term partnerships continue even as new partnerships are also being formed. For example, the process in Timor-Leste saw both Netherlands and Danish Red Cross societies participate in the integrated design team to support CVTL disaster management programming. This was beneficial to CVTL as well as the partners who jointly developed the programme. The IDRL Asia Pacific Programme The international disaster response laws, rules and principles (IDRL) programme opened its first regional office in Asia Pacific in August 2005 (based at the South East Asia regional delegation) to extend the reach and impact of its global activities. It was found that the pre-existing knowledge of the programme and its objectives varied considerably between individuals, organizations and governments, so an emphasis was placed on generating greater awareness of the topic through advocacy, training and case studies. Additionally, it was hoped that resources of the IDRL Asia Pacific programme would be used to develop/improve disaster management legislation and improve ‘legal preparedness’ for international disaster response. Headline achievements and partnerships Case studies were conducted in three tsunami-affected countries (Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia), examining the impact of existing legal frameworks on the speed, effectiveness and quality of international

assistance and providing a deeper insight into the legal challenges faced during international relief and recovery operations. In July, the IDRL programme hosted an information session and workshop in Bangkok, involving a range of humanitarian organizations to discuss key IDRL issues affecting the region, and also actively participated in events hosted by other organizations. In particular, the IDRL programme has been conducting training and information sessions for humanitarian workers, not only within the Movement but also for the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, Red-R and International Telecommunications Union. In December, the government of Malaysia hosted the Asia-Pacific IDRL Forum in Kuala Lumpur, co-convened by the Malaysian Red Crescent and the Federation secretariat, which provided an opportunity to consult with governments, national societies and other stakeholders on the draft "Guidelines for the Domestic Facilitation and Regulation of International Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance", for proposal to the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in November 2007. Organizational development Goal: Improve the lives of the vulnerable people through appropriate and relevant humanitarian services provided by the well functioning Red Cross Red Crescent national societies in the region.

Objective: Southeast Asia national societies attain the criteria in the “characteristics of a well-functioning national society and are able to deliver relevant and effective humanitarian services to the most vulnerable people effectively and efficiently. Expected results: • National societies have improved regional communication, cooperation and coordination in the region. • National societies in the region have updated statutes, clear roles for governance and management,

appropriate structures, human resources, and necessary systems in place • National societies in the region have developed and are implementing strategic / operational plans

having in-built monitoring, evaluation and reporting mechanism • National societies have extensive gender balanced and diverse based volunteer involvement in their

structures and service delivery. • National societies have a sound revenue plan, financial strategy and financial management capacity

leading to sustainability, independence and diversification of income. The programme provided a series of integrated initiatives (within organizational development as well as with other programme areas such as disaster management) to the region’s national societies during 2006. The regional delegation took its role seriously as a change agent and supported national societies consistently in their quest for improvement. The national society leadership in the region gave a clear signal of intent when they launched the South East Asia regional strategic review. It began a process of self-reflection and common learning around national societies’ work and their relationships with partners. The leaders committed to use the review to help empower leadership, governance and management (as well as staff and volunteers) in the region. As such in 2006, South East Asian national societies were meeting many of the criteria of being well functioning and are progressively becoming fuller and more active members of the Federation (at varying pace). Support to leadership was consistent but with several important milestones, such as preparation for the VII statutory conference of AP national societies in Singapore in November 2006. The regional delegation team effectively supported South East Asian national societies to feed into and influence the articulation of regional priorities within the global FOF. Governance support and training was also provided to individual national societies. During the year, there were several examples of short- and long-term support to planned national society change processes in such areas as leadership development, branch development and strategic planning.

Partner national societies continue to want the regional delegation to provide a clear lead in organizational development. Relations with the region’s national societies are very strong and the Bangkok team is respected as a ‘catalyst for ideas’ and ‘change agent’ on organizational development issues. There are many challenges for 2007 but the focus will be: governance, financial development, volunteering and youth, human resources (HR) and fundraising. Strengthening national societies in these regards will undoubtedly translate into better support to vulnerable people. National society ownership of the organizational development network also needs to be strengthened. Specifically in terms of HR, the regional HR officer has struggled because of workload (hugely increased since the partner national society service agreements) to engage in development work with the region’s national societies. Overall, creative ways of support that can command more concrete outputs need to be found. Some of the headline achievements during 2006 were as follows:

• The South East Asia strategic regional review provided a series of recommendations for a more comprehensive and coherent approach for the Federation over the next five years to intensify implementation of S2010/Global Agenda. The review offered in-depth analysis of vulnerability and capacity of national societies in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam as well as the secretariat’s regional programming. The review, launched by the region’s national society leaders, continues to be used to strengthen individual and collective work around priorities.

• A series of ‘retreats’ – four thus far in Timor Leste, Philippines, Laos and Cambodia (including two early 2007) – provided a forum for the host national society to strengthen common understanding of challenges and chart more coherent action with partners, drawing in part on the review’s findings. They also provided a reality check on the applicability of the Federation of the Future and specifically scaling up use operational alliances.

• Strategic planning strengthened: at least four national societies, Cambodia, Laos, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, progressed in this realm. In Timor-Leste, vulnerability assessments are the basis of its strategic plans. Thematically, regional disaster management, health and organizational development planning also improved country-level planning and action to reduce vulnerability.

• The region’s youth volunteers agreed on an action framework at a forum of youth leaders in Philippines, detailing how youth can play a more empowered role in decision-making and programming.

• Cooperation agreement strategies (CAS) evolved at varying rates in many countries, including: Cambodia, Laos, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. In the meantime, appropriate, if opportunistic, approaches to partnership contributed to reduced vulnerability, i.e. Vietnam Red Cross partnerships with Netherlands and Spanish Red Cross over a DIPECHO programme.

• Thai Red Cross Society continues to nurture its volunteers. Following a workshop entitled “Volunteering Excellence”, the national society is establishing a steering committee under the leadership of the assistant secretary general, strengthening policy/guideline development, and improving information management and developing a database. All will enhance the role of volunteers in Thai Red Cross and as a consequence, strengthen the national society itself.

• There are several encouraging trends evident in ‘domestic’ resource mobilization. In the Philippines, most branches are self-sufficient and contributing to the headquarters. The Cambodian RC’s 50th anniversary saw significant funds being raised for the national society (in the region of USD 2 million). The tsunami witnessed widespread generosity and effective fundraising by the region’s national society, i.e. Thailand (approx. USD 5 million) and Vietnam (approximately USD 3 million).

Promotion of humanitarian values Goal: The awareness and application of humanitarian values are enhanced across the region.

Objective: Southeast Asia national societies are motivated and able to generate a high degree of visibility, credibility, cooperation and support for Red Cross and Red Crescent activities.

In 2006, the South East Asia regional information programme remained significantly focused on media management and promotion of the work of national societies around the tsunami. Other emergencies during 2006, such as the landslide in S.Leyte (Philippines) and typhoon Xangsane (Philippines and Vietnam) also demanded much time and resources. The regional information unit was strengthened with the recruitment of an information officer, who, among other things, has strengthened cooperation with Thai Red Cross and been instrumental in the success of a new regional newsletter, South East Asia Link. Increased visibility, from this and other means, needs to extend more to non-tsunami programming. However, it was clear that approaches to humanitarian values need to be strengthened, not just within the information programme but across all regional work to develop a much stronger implementation of Global Agenda goal 4: Reduced intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity. Initial steps have taken place, including the consequences of a ‘living our values’ seminar that inspired the ten South East Asian national societies present to live their values more. One area of focus will be on population movement. Since the Manila Action Plan (MAP) in 2002 (an output of the Asia Pacific statutory conference) where national societies committed to address population movement, five South East Asia national societies – Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Philippines, and Timor-Leste – reported achievements against MAP. In 2007, the regional delegation is looking at how the humanitarian values programme may take on the progress of the population movement coordinator, previously situated in the regional disaster management unit. The regional management team was also concerned over reflecting on the challenge of showing a stronger lead on advocacy (area three under the Framework for Action). The need to build national society capacity in this regard is clear; it is one of the recommendations of the independent regional review. In addition, the regional team needs to ‘build relations higher’ and better represent the Red Cross Red Crescent more in the wider world: with governments and among other international organizations. Some of the headline achievements in 2006 were:

• The Philippines Red Cross’ strong commitment to values and principles helped maintain it as one of the world’s leaders in disaster response. The national society constantly tried to ‘live its values’ in a world of ever more complex disasters. The leadership mentored, coached and trained volunteers and staff to maintain this core responsibility. Philippines Red Cross was one of ten South East Asian national societies to attend a regional workshop, entitled ‘living our values’ that shared best practice. This initiative, which heard epic personal stories of humanity from several attendees, inspired national societies throughout the region to live their values more. In a related initiative, Philippines Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with support of the secretariat, debated what it is to be humanitarian, particularly in times of armed conflict, and how greater protection can be offered to those who are most vulnerable. This process continued after the 1st International Humanitarian Law Forum in Manila.

• Cambodia RC continued to lead by example in terms of tolerance and respect towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Its workplace policy on HIV/AIDS is one that other national societies, including Indonesia, is keen to follow.

• National societies were increasingly welcoming new staff and volunteers in a way that put principles and values at the beginning of their Red Cross Red Crescent learning curve. Partner national societies active in Thailand and Thai Red Cross staff and volunteers were among those adopting this approach. A secretariat-organized induction course in March proved a catalyst for better approaches in this respect.

• Consistent professional management of the media ensured that the humanitarian message remained at the heart of most Red Cross Red Crescent communications, ie during the Philippines landslide tragedy. The values element of Red Cross Red Crescent communications was strengthened after lessons from the tsunami, in terms of dignity and respectful representation of people during disasters. A precursor for authentic communication of values is a consistent

demonstration of them in action. This was at the heart of many programmes of all South East Asian national society.

• Timor-Leste RC’s respect for the Fundamental Principles preserved its access to the most marginalized communities during a series of crises this year, including storms and floods and major civil unrest. ”Without the respect that our extensive membership gives our Fundamental Principles, access to the displaced populations in various districts simultaneously would have been impossible,“ the CVTL secretary-general said.

• The Red Cross Red Crescent continued to play its unique community-global role in terms of mobilizing populations and governments to prepare; this time for a potential avian influenza pandemic. national societies worked (often with partner national society support) among communities and representation was influential throughout South East Asia. In tandem, the secretariat team represented the Federation at a World Bank video conference, hooking up health and agriculture ministries around the world, and continued to promote the unique position/influence of national societies as auxiliaries to governments at monthly South East Asian avian influenza coordination meetings (organized by the regional delegation) attended by UN agencies and various organizations.

• The work of South East Asian national societies, including Myanmar, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, in terms of relief, disaster preparedness, water and sanitation, basic community health, and HIV/AIDS was promoted via web profiles on the Federation’s website, which received millions of hits in 2006 and is a regular source for other influential sites (i.e. Reliefweb)

• Six South East Asian national societies promoted the humanitarian agenda more effectively after being provided with emergency media kits that enable multi-media released to be compiled and distributed. This was backed by media training, such as to Thai Red Cross, and the sharing of best practice among national society, through the Southeast Asian Communications Network on ways best to influence agendas.

• Cambodian Red Cross continued to raise awareness among journalists in terms of the role of international humanitarian law in the protection of vulnerable groups during armed conflict.

Working in partnership Under the Federation’s new operating model, the three main roles/functions of the secretariat are: leadership and the provision of core membership services to all 185 national societies, facilitation and support of operational alliances, and the direction and coordination of disaster response.1 The secretariat’s regional delegation, based in Bangkok, in support of country delegations, in 2006 worked appropriately with all partners in the above roles in South East Asia to scale up implementation of the Global Agenda/S2010. It did this through: monitoring adherence to and implementation of international commitments; managing relations with national societies and partner coordination; promotion of networking and knowledge management, including the evaluation and conceptualization of experience and lessons learnt; facilitation of coordination and cooperation; and regional representation and leading support in times of mega-disaster. In addition to its direct work with national societies, the regional delegation, worked with all Movement components and external partners, to expand or scale up, the potential of Federation partners in South East Asia to access resources and deliver more services and support. This could be described as an expansion of the ‘humanitarian business environment’ of the Federation to provide more opportunities for all. The regional delegation did this by increasingly: assessing vulnerability and opportunity; identifying programmes; and subsequently agreeing the way forward with partners in terms of national society

1 The 10 core membership services are to provide Federation governance support; support global and regional planning, monitoring and evaluation; coordinate and support capacity building and provide technical assistance in the four core areas of S2010; provide organisational development support to national societies; ensure direction and coordination in disaster response; ensure representation, and facilitate internal and external communications and global advocacy; support global resource mobilization; establish and nurture global and regional partnerships; facilitate networking and knowledge sharing; and enable relationship management.

support. This process will continue to define what role, if any, the regional delegation has in terms of mobilizing resources.

Contributing to longer-term impact The regional delegation contributed significantly towards supporting national societies in contributing more to the millennium development goals (MDGs) within their country as well as the Federation’s Global Agenda. One significant initiative was the region became the first to catalogue progress – and gaps – against the Federation of the Future’s framework for action and its ten areas of improvement. The first report in 2006 is linked here in full (although elements are highlighted within this report) and it demonstrates comprehensively regional support to long-term impact at the country level through effective capacity building support. Nevertheless, there is a much more to be done. <click here to view the first South East Asia’s report against the framework for action>

Looking Ahead Throughout 2007 and beyond, the Federation regional delegation will continue its support to South East Asian national societies and their partners in the development and implementation of quality programmes to deliver against Strategy 2010/Global Agenda. These will be targeted at achieving improved volume and impact in services to the most vulnerable. The role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent as a leading player in the civil society of South East Asian nations will be promoted to the diplomatic community, the UN family and other relevant organizations including major funding/grant agencies such as the Asian Development Bank. In particular, the specific contribution of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in the battle against HIV/AIDS – especially through prevention, anti-stigma and anti-discrimination activities – and other emerging health challenges will be highlighted in international forums where the Federation is represented. To continue to provide relevant services, national societies and the Federation must ensure that ongoing programmes, and existing regional strategies, are responsive to evolving needs. The regional delegation team will continue to hold retreat meetings with host national societies (plus the country delegations and partner national societies) to hear from what direction national societies wish to go in and how they wish to change over the next few years. Such meetings have been held with Philippines Red Cross and CVTL in Timor-Leste (meetings with Lao Red Cross and Cambodia Red Cross were held early 2007 with others planned, including in Myanmar). Outcomes have and will continue to help shap the direction of planning for 2007. The regional delegation facilitated an external review of strategic issues to help national societies assess strategies and review priorities. This strategic exercise aimed to design a coherent framework to better define the Red Cross Red Crescent’s competitive advantage and challenges in the region. Seven countries that have Federation and bilateral delegations were covered (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam). The final report contains 36 recommendations for the Movement to improve collective performance in support of vulnerable people in South East Asia. These regional recommendations, and also those at country level, are informing national society and Federation planning as deemed appropriate throughout 2007 and beyond. 2006 has seen a move by partner national societies to become integrated with the Federation at regional level. This has resulted in the conclusion of integration agreements with six such national societies whose regional representatives are now accommodated in the Federation’s Bangkok office. In order to provide the required high quality services to these partners, the delegation has had to scale up its support services capacity beyond what was originally envisaged for 2006-2007 and this is reflected in the 2007 budget.

The delegation’s human resource unit will continue to work with the human resources department in Geneva and in the Asia Pacific region to ensure that their policies are consistent and in line with the Federation’s. In addition, it will work with country and regional delegation units in organizational development and disaster management to create a computerized human resource database, tracking records of all staff, plus active lists of regional disaster response team trained personnel, basic training course (BTC) trained candidates, and future candidates for the BTC. The human resource unit will also provide assistance to various national societies in the region to build human resource capacity. Due to the current limited capacity of the Bangkok HR unit in view of the heavy workload associated with servicing the integration agreements, progress in HR development has been limited so far in 2006. This will be addressed during 2007. In sum, the regional delegation and its country teams in 2007 seeks to build on past progress through strengthened: • Support of national society development, through country delegations working as internal change

agents and the regional delegation as an external facilitator. This in-tandem approach will provide interdependent, incremental support – without overlap – based on agreed priorities (identified through ‘retreats’, regional planning and management meetings, regional delegation management visits for dialogue with leadership etc).

• Host national society ownership of activities. In particular, health and organizational development networks need to be strengthened and consolidated along the lines of the regional disaster management committee (RDMC).

• Definition and articulation of an increased role for the Federation in partnership relations with the membership. Integration agreements for services and coordination for the pioneering work of some partner national society is a beginning. But the regional delegation aims to do more in terms of business development: vulnerability and opportunity assessments at the country and regional level in relation to the Red Cross Red Crescent mandate.

• Knowledge management (i.e. its collection, collation and use). The comprehensive health mapping exercise and the regional review are examples of progress in this respect. Similar approaches will emerge in disaster management and operations update. Best practice in all fields will be better captured and disseminated for use.

• Support to heads of delegation and Federation representatives to increase link with governments, UN organizations, the corporate world and others to increase visibility and promotion of Red Cross Red Crescent work to earn better recognition. This will create a good base for resource mobilization and advocacy.

• Leadership in terms of implementing Federation of the Future (as discussed above in more detail) to scale up progress against the four goal areas of the Global Agenda.

• Use of the Kuala Lumpur service and resource centre, in support of the regional team’s initiatives. • Input into the decision-making process at the Geneva secretariat, particular in areas that affect South

East Asia.

For further information please contact: Federation regional delegation Bangkok: Mr. Bekele Geleta (Head of Regional Delegation), Bangkok, Phone: +66

26661 8201 ext 100, Email: bekele.geleta@ifrc.orgFederation secreriat In Geneva: Sabine Feuglet (South East Asia Regional Assistant), Phone: +41 22 730 4258;

Fax +41 22 733 0395, Email: sabine.feuglet@ifrc.org

To support or find out more about the Federation’s programmes or operations, click on www.ifrc.org

Selected ParametersReporting Timeframe 2006/1­2006/12Budget Timeframe 2006/1­2007/12Appeal MAA51001Budget APPEAL

All figures are in Swiss Francs (CHF)ANNUAL REPORT 2006

MAA51001 ­ SOUTH EAST ASIA

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

I. Consolidated Response to Appeal

Health & Care DisasterManagement

HumanitarianValues

OrganisationalDevelopment

Coordination &Implementation TOTAL

A. Budget 3,339,564 2,032,990 469,403 1,960,720 1,370,909 9,173,586

B. Opening Balance 460,746 593,571 20,874 82,198 307,002 1,464,391

IncomeCash contributions

0.00 Australian Red Cross 8,365 12,855 21,220British Red Cross 0 34,200 0 0 34,200Canadian Red Cross Society 96,028 96,028Danish Red Cross 23,882 5,802 156,700 186,384DFID Partnership 163,942 160,708 125,120 17,462 467,232Finnish Red Cross 33,180 33,180German Red Cross 122,593 0 122,593Japanese Red Cross Society 0 ­0 0 0 ­0Netherlands Red Cross 6,045 6,045New Zealand Red Cross 131,890 96,438 228,328Norwegian Red Cross 69,825 135,682 20,922 226,429Other 707 707Spanish Red Cross ­1,209 ­1,209Swedish Red Cross 101,892 132,440 188,817 119,386 542,535

0.00 C1. Cash contributions 550,148 543,384 132,440 491,559 246,141 1,963,672

Outstanding pledges (Revalued)1.00 Australian Red Cross 49,037 ­13,120 35,917

Japanese Red Cross Society 66,690 65,664 19,494 28,728 24,624 205,200New Zealand Red Cross 37,525 ­37,142 383

1.00 C2. Outstanding pledges (Revalued) 104,215 114,701 19,494 28,728 ­25,638 241,501

Reallocations (within appeal or from/to another appeal)2.00 DFID Partnership ­40,000 20,500 ­19,5002.00 C3. Reallocations (within appeal or ­40,000 20,500 ­19,500

Inkind PersonnelAustralian Red Cross 90,100 90,100Danish Red Cross 65,307 65,307Netherlands Red Cross 74,400 74,400Swedish Red Cross 73,780 31,000 104,780C5. Inkind Personnel 139,707 90,100 73,780 31,000 334,587

C. Total Income = SUM(C1..C6) 754,070 748,186 225,714 571,787 348,962 2,648,719

D. Total Funding = B +C 1,214,816 1,341,757 246,588 653,985 655,964 4,113,110

II. Balance of Funds

Health & Care DisasterManagement

HumanitarianValues

OrganisationalDevelopment

Coordination &Implementation TOTAL

B. Opening Balance 460,746 593,571 20,874 82,198 307,002 1,464,391C. Income 754,070 748,186 225,714 571,787 348,962 2,648,719E. Expenditure ­577,944 ­877,144 ­178,948 ­475,179 ­546,284 ­2,655,498F. Closing Balance = (B + C + E) 636,872 464,613 67,641 178,806 109,681 1,457,612

Other IncomeService Agreements 128,458 128,458C6. Other Income 128,458 128,458

Prepared on 29/Mar/2007 Appeal report.rep Page 1 of 2

Selected ParametersReporting Timeframe 2006/1­2006/12Budget Timeframe 2006/1­2007/12Appeal MAA51001Budget APPEAL

All figures are in Swiss Francs (CHF)ANNUAL REPORT 2006

MAA51001 ­ SOUTH EAST ASIA

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

III. Budget Analysis / Breakdown of ExpenditureExpenditure

Account Groups BudgetHealth & Care Disaster

ManagementHumanitarian

ValuesOrganisationalDevelopment

Coordination &Implementation TOTAL

Variance

A B A ­ B

BUDGET (C) 3,339,564 2,032,990 469,403 1,960,720 1,370,909 9,173,586

SuppliesConstruction Materials 13,665 13,665 ­13,665Water & Sanitation 180,000 46,591 46,591 133,409Medical & First Aid 76,000 7,807 5,144 389 13,340 62,660Teaching Materials 165,000 165,000Utensils & Tools 20,000 20,000Other Supplies & Services 2,000 2,000Total Supplies 443,000 68,063 5,144 389 73,596 369,404

Land, vehicles & equipmentComputers & Telecom 16,980 4,785 2,131 16,458 23,375 ­6,395Office/Household Furniture & Equipm. 13,836 1,375 14,532 15,907 ­2,071Total Land, vehicles & equipment 30,816 6,160 2,131 30,990 39,282 ­8,466

Transport & StorageStorage 4,293 465 2,745 170 7,673 ­7,673Distribution & Monitoring 412 388 800 ­800Transport & Vehicle Costs 27,273 4,638 1,462 1,783 7,883 19,390Total Transport & Storage 27,273 9,343 1,462 465 4,528 558 16,355 10,918

Personnel ExpendituresDelegates Payroll 1,931,940 51,590 97,885 90,639 240,114 1,691,826Delegate Benefits 1,021,030 181,460 127,292 108,719 78,074 57,563 553,109 467,921Regionally Deployed Staff 218,400 12,128 83,234 95,362 123,038National Staff 649,773 15,528 42,524 18,066 31,032 71,565 178,714 471,059National Society Staff 144,097 18,716 16,033 23,889 58,638 85,459Consultants 153,300 30,748 30,312 1,406 30,132 67,631 160,229 ­6,929Total Personnel Expenditures 4,118,540 310,170 299,395 128,191 261,012 287,398 1,286,167 2,832,373

Workshops & TrainingWorkshops & Training 2,517,678 141,095 106,256 17,213 110,284 45,500 420,349 2,097,329Total Workshops & Training 2,517,678 141,095 106,256 17,213 110,284 45,500 420,349 2,097,329

General ExpenditureTravel 670,936 38,775 91,390 12,182 60,009 25,376 227,732 443,204Information & Public Relation 189,500 13,246 24,176 785 6,481 1,483 46,171 143,329Office Costs 482,142 6,221 9,489 924 22,390 103,685 142,709 339,433Communications 24,418 2,100 21,019 7,558 13,504 13,092 57,274 ­32,856Professional Fees 512 12 12 12 29 576 ­576Financial Charges 2,061 1,513 280 1,119 2,186 7,158 ­7,158Other General Expenses 73,000 837 91,255 18 20,639 4,610 117,360 ­44,360Total General Expenditure 1,439,996 63,752 238,855 21,759 124,155 150,461 598,982 841,014

Program SupportProgram Support 596,283 36,976 56,634 11,320 30,756 35,508 171,194 425,089Total Program Support 596,283 36,976 56,634 11,320 30,756 35,508 171,194 425,089

Operational ProvisionsOperational Provisions ­51,456 163,237 ­58,076 ­4,131 49,575 ­49,575Total Operational Provisions ­51,456 163,237 ­58,076 ­4,131 49,575 ­49,575

TOTAL EXPENDITURE (D) 9,173,586 577,944 877,144 178,948 475,179 546,284 2,655,498 6,518,088

VARIANCE (C ­ D) 2,761,619 1,155,846 290,456 1,485,541 824,626 6,518,088

Prepared on 29/Mar/2007 Appeal report.rep Page 2 of 2