Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 3: Time to act: Tackling epidemics and pandemics together (33IC/19/R3) – The Canadian Red Cross Society

¿ Ha incorporado el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en los planes estratégicos u operativos pertinentes?

Los compromisos han sido incorporados en
estrategia
plan operativo

A internacional, nacional, local nivel

Explicación:

• At the international level, Canadian Red Cross (CRC) developed a program to enhance pandemic and epidemic preparedness in partnership with the Bulgarian Red Cross. The program focused on capacity strengthening and providing essential support to Ukrainian refugees. CRC also supported the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society in the development of PHiE unit and roadmap. Through the IFRC CP3 project, CRC supported Cameroon Red Cross in the development of a cholera response plan.
• Nationally, CRC’s strategy has focused on Health in Emergencies which includes Epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response. CRC developed multiple operational services in response to COVID. These services evolved into a broader roadmap for outbreak preparedness and response. CRC has also created a public health roster domestically.
• At the local level, during the COVID-19 pandemic, CRC supported various geographical branches in developing and implementing operational plans to effectively respond to the crisis.

Ha trabajado el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución con otros asociados para poner en práctica los empeños contenidos en esta resolución?

En asociación con:
gobierno y/o autoridades públicas
CICR/Federación Internacional
otras Sociedades Nacionales de la Cruz Roja y de la Media Luna Roja
mundo académico

Ejemplos de cooperación:

– Government/ public authorities: Liaised with government and public authorities at all levels during COVID response and responded within auxiliary role. Continued discussions with government and public authorities in coordination to preparedness, epidemic/pandemic response national and internationally.
– IFRC/ ICRC/ RCRCS: Strengthened epidemic/pandemic preparedness and response through bilateral programming and IFRC CP3 Programming (e.g. Bulgaria, Syria, CP3 countries – specifically Sierra Leone, Guinea, Kenya), including development of response plans and disease specific contingency plans. Deployment of ERUs during the COVID pandemic. Lead development of Public Health ERUs specifically for safe and dignified burial. Climate based assessment including impacts of epidemic/pandemic was completed in coordination with the Nepal Red Cross.
– Academia: Hosted Canadian Field Epidemiologists training site for the Public Health Agency of Canada. One Field Epidemiologist completed the two-year training in 2023 and CRC will host another trainee this year.

¿Ha habido dificultades para poner en práctica los empeños contenidos en esta resolución?

Dificultades en relación con:
limitaciones de financiación
conflicto de prioridades

Describa detalladamente estas dificultades:

CRC has the capacity to respond effectively but lacks sufficient funding. CP3 serves as a successful example of shared funding. A platform is needed to improve access to funding. Epidemic and pandemic readiness and preparedness are often less appealing to donors compared to medical, clinical, and large-scale humanitarian responses. There is a notable decrease in funding post-COVID, despite the increased recognition of the importance of pandemic preparedness and response.

¿Han incidido los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en el trabajo y la dirección del Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución?

Tipo de repercusión:
fortalecimiento de la cooperación entre el gobierno o las autoridades públicas y la Sociedad Nacional
aumento de la eficacia y la eficiencia de los programas y operaciones
establecimiento o fortalecimiento de asociaciones con otros actores humanitarios
formación y capacidad de los miembros del personal y de los voluntarios (en el caso de las Sociedades Nacionales);

Describa detalladamente las repercusiones:

– CRC actively engages with government and public authorities to establish partnerships related to epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response.
– There is increased recognition of the importance of including epidemics as hazards in response and contingency plans.
– CRC is continuously working towards improved domestic outbreak management.
– CRC supports youth engagement and volunteer development by integrating them into research teams and supporting efforts in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and public health engagement.

5. Han incidido los empeños contenidos en esta resolución en las comunidades a las que el Estado/la Sociedad Nacional/la institución presta servicios?

Describa las repercusiones:

– CRC has seen an increased openness to outbreak-related programming at the local level.
– Continuing efforts to enhance our capacity.
– CRC has been providing community support within long-term care, Indigenous communities, prison systems, border crossings, migrant worker support, and youth engagement in public health initiatives.