Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 7: Disaster laws and policies that leave no one behind (33IC/19/R7) – Austrian Red Cross

Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?

The commitments are incorporated into:
Policy
Operational plan

At the Regional, National, Local level

Explanation:

The Austrian RC is continuously advocating for disaster policies that leave no one behind. Special focus at the moment is on the humanitarian consequences of climate change.

Climate change adaptation and action takes place across all operational fields of the organization. The Austrian RC has developed the “Sustainability Charter of the Austrian RC” which is essentially a national translation of the Climate and Environmental Charta for Humanitarian Organisations and contains 5 central commitments, that are implemented all the way down from the national to the local level.

The recognition as auxiliary to the public authorities in terms of disaster management which is reflected not just by the recognition in the federal Red Cross law but also by the integration in the National Crisis and Disaster Management (SKKM) mechanism that enables efficient disaster management in Austria and abroad based on cooperation between all competent authorities and rescue organizations at federal and provincial level. (Ministry of Interior)

Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?

Partner with:
Government and/or public authorities
ICRC/IFRC
Other National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies
Humanitarian and development partners (e.g. UN, NGOs etc.)
Academia

Examples of cooperation:

On-going exchange with all relevant stakeholders in the field of disaster and crises management.

Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?

With challenges on:
Competing priorities

Details about challenges:

Yes, Austrian RC is faced with a kind of “missing state of mind” or lack of a sense of urgency about the humanitarian, social, economic needs evolving from the climate crises in conversations, actions and policies. With little public debate on the upcoming transformations induced by climate change, there is also little public understanding of the urgency to take consolidated and comprehensive action.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?

Details about the impact:

According to the “Sustainability Charter of the Austrian RC” which is already mentioned above, there is a direct impact on the way we work and operate as a National Society. In particular building capacities and disseminating the relevant knowledge among staff and volunteers is central the the Charter.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?

Description of the impact:

As the Austrian RC is literally anywhere in Austria and the main actor in health response, every improvement of our system directly translates into a higher impact on communities.