Report on resolution 5
– Date: 05.07.2019
– Country: Sweden
– Type of entity: National Society
– What measures did your National Society take to strengthen the safety and security of your volunteers? Please check what applies below:
In 2019, the Swedish Red Cross made a review and updated the Volunteering Policy. In this new updated version, we have used this resolution to emphasize the importance of the security aspects of our volunteers. In the policy, we have also clarified the right and the importance of continuous psychosocial support both in continuous operations and in special emergency operations. In the SRC strategy 2023 the following is said concerning the safety of volunteers: Reorganization of branches with the goal to improve volunteer management National support for all branches to secure that all steps in the volunteer management cycle is covered Volunteers should get briefing and psychosocial support when needed All branches should: Investment in Volunteer leadership Look after that all volunteers are aware of the fundamental principles and acts thereafter. All volunteers get the adequate training for their missions At the Swedish General Assembly 2019, a number of motions from branches was submitted that highlighted the need to review the existing insurance policies that volunteers have today and compensation for costs in connection with the voluntary assignment. The following decisions were made ate the General Assembly: – The Swedish Red Cross Board to review the existing insurance coverage and ensure that it is comprehensive and provides a reasonable remuneration. – The Swedish Red Cross Board to ensure continued work with training in psychosocial support and further develop it to ensure sustainable assignments for volunteers.
– What measures did your National Society take to identify and or review potential threats to the volunteers? Please check what applies:
– ensuring that their plans and programmes include measures to reduce and mitigate these risks
– What activities has your National Society undertaken to ensure safety and security of volunteers, in cooperation with:
– Other partners and stakeholders of influence
– Does your National Society ensure that volunteers have adequate insurance or equivalent “safety net” assistance with regard to death, injury, sickness or trauma they may endure while carrying out their duties? In case of absence of insurance or equivalent “safety net”, is your National Society aware of the functioning of the French Fund Maurice de Madre (FFMM) or others? Please check the appropriate box:
– Yes: please let us know what type of insurance or equivalent “safety-net” form you use
– What support did you provide to other National Societies for increasing safety and security of volunteers? Please check appropriate box:
– Advocacy
– Develop standards and guidance on the topic
– What activities have you undertaken to facilitate partnerships towards strengthening the safety and security of volunteers?
In discussion with our government we have highlighted the importance of making sure that any agency that are using NS to implement humanitarian asssistance need to take this issues into account. Volunteers are risking their lives for the big agnecies and NS are not always provided with sufficient resources to enuste the security and safety of their volunteers.
Volunteering in Conflict and Emergencies
– Country: Sweden
– Type of entity: National Society
– What measures did your National Society take to strengthen the safety and security of your volunteers? Please check what applies below:
In 2019, the Swedish Red Cross made a review and updated the Volunteering Policy. In this new updated version, we have used this resolution to emphasize the importance of the security aspects of our volunteers. In the policy, we have also clarified the right and the importance of continuous psychosocial support both in continuous operations and in special emergency operations. In the SRC strategy 2023 the following is said concerning the safety of volunteers: Reorganization of branches with the goal to improve volunteer management National support for all branches to secure that all steps in the volunteer management cycle is covered Volunteers should get briefing and psychosocial support when needed All branches should: Investment in Volunteer leadership Look after that all volunteers are aware of the fundamental principles and acts thereafter. All volunteers get the adequate training for their missions At the Swedish General Assembly 2019, a number of motions from branches was submitted that highlighted the need to review the existing insurance policies that volunteers have today and compensation for costs in connection with the voluntary assignment. The following decisions were made ate the General Assembly: – The Swedish Red Cross Board to review the existing insurance coverage and ensure that it is comprehensive and provides a reasonable remuneration. – The Swedish Red Cross Board to ensure continued work with training in psychosocial support and further develop it to ensure sustainable assignments for volunteers.
– What measures did your National Society take to identify and or review potential threats to the volunteers? Please check what applies:
– ensuring that their plans and programmes include measures to reduce and mitigate these risks
– What activities has your National Society undertaken to ensure safety and security of volunteers, in cooperation with:
– Other partners and stakeholders of influence
– Does your National Society ensure that volunteers have adequate insurance or equivalent “safety net” assistance with regard to death, injury, sickness or trauma they may endure while carrying out their duties? In case of absence of insurance or equivalent “safety net”, is your National Society aware of the functioning of the French Fund Maurice de Madre (FFMM) or others? Please check the appropriate box:
– Yes: please let us know what type of insurance or equivalent “safety-net” form you use
– What support did you provide to other National Societies for increasing safety and security of volunteers? Please check appropriate box:
– Advocacy
– Develop standards and guidance on the topic
– What activities have you undertaken to facilitate partnerships towards strengthening the safety and security of volunteers?
In discussion with our government we have highlighted the importance of making sure that any agency that are using NS to implement humanitarian asssistance need to take this issues into account. Volunteers are risking their lives for the big agnecies and NS are not always provided with sufficient resources to enuste the security and safety of their volunteers.
Volunteering in Conflict and Emergencies
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