Acciones tomadas:
Polish Red Cross is a National Society of the Republic of Poland within the meaning of the Geneva Conventions for the Protection of War Victims of 12 August 1949 (Journal of Laws, item. 171) and the Additional Protocols to these Conventions of 8 June 1977 (Journal of Laws of 1992, item. 175). It acts under the Act of the Polish Red Cross
of 16 November 1964 (Journal of Laws, item. 276) and the Statute issued on its basis and approved by the Council of Ministers on 20 September 2011 (Journal of Laws, item. 1284).
Republic of Poland acknowledges a special role of the Polish Red Cross and its commitment to the implementation of mission to prevent human suffering and mitigate their consequences and the protection of human dignity, without any discrimination based on nationality, race, gender, religious or political beliefs. Accordingly, the Republic of Poland and its National Red Cross Society pledge to continue a constructive dialogue in order to strengthen the organizational capacity and ensure effective action for the people in need.
Action plan:
– amendment to the Statute of the Polish Red Cross
– preparing and implementing a new framework strategy of the Polish Red Cross
– strengthening existing relations and establishing new partnerships between the Polish Red Cross and state institutions
Indicators for measuring progress:
– adoption of the Statute of the Polish Red Cross amendment by the National Congress of the Polish Red Cross and the Prime Minister
– adoption of a new framework strategy of the Polish Red Cross by the National Congress and its dissemination in the National Society
– participation in meetings on important social and humanitarian issues
Resource implications:
– an increase of knowledge of the Polish Red Cross mission and objectives
– an increase of support for the Polish Red Cross in achieving its mission and goals
Implementation:
On 29 September 2021, the Polish Red Cross hosted a National Reporting and Polling Convention that saw the election of the society’s new authorities. The new Governing Board launched work on a new PRC Strategy, which refers to the Strategy of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies adopted in Geneva in December 2019. It is also planned to resume work on amending the PRC Statute and the PRC Act.
On 24 September 2022, the PRC General Assembly adopted a new Strategy 2030. Its motto is, “Be aware. Be active. Be with us.” The work on the strategy was inclusive in character, engaging PRC employees, members, and volunteers, and encompassing a questionnaire for the society’s beneficiaries and partners to better embrace the priority areas the organisation is planning to develop. Eventually, the following priority areas were identified: humanitarian assistance in times of crises, health-oriented and preventive measures, activation of society, and eliminating social inequalities. An operational plan is being in the making to help implement the measures, combined intrinsically with internal transformation of quality standards and quality control, the funding system, compliance, HR management, internal and external communication, and knowledge management.
At the same time, given the presence of delegates from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the plans for long-term measures to be taken in Poland in connection with the armed conflict in Ukraine, work has been underway to formalise the said delegates’ status in the country. Two separate acts are envisaged for adoption as part of the process. On that occasion, the question of either amending or replacing the PRC Act and amending the statute of the Society has been put back on the table. The work on the documents resumed in 2023, as the existing drafts need to be revised to take advantage of the field experience from the current humanitarian crisis. Efforts have recently been made to put together the latest guidelines and recommendations of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, sample statutes of the sister societies of the red cross in other countries, post-audit recommendations, and concepts to strengthen the organisation’s governing structure.
Additionally, in 2023 the PRC adopted its Code of Ethical Conduct, Child Safety Policy, Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention and Protection Policy, and Recommended Practices for Testing for Drugs or Alcohol.
In connection with the migration crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border and the armed conflict in Ukraine, representatives of the PRC take part in thematic meetings held on the initiative of EU commissioners, ministries, the Parliamentary Group for Humanitarian Aid and International Humanitarian Law, embassies, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, UN agendas, and NGOs. They present the society’s work, discuss key challenges and opportunities for cooperation, and advocate reduction of humanitarian needs.
