Acciones tomadas:
The Italian Red Cross has been actively engaged in improving disaster preparedness and response capacities in the Balkans, recognizing the challenges faced in the region and the need for effective cooperation. The organization focuses on enhancing solidarity and implementing the experiences and practices of the IFRC, ICRC, and other National Societies.
Notable initiatives include projects such as FloodNorthAlb, BRAT, and VolfAid, led by the Austrian Red Cross. These projects aim to enhance disaster management capacities in the region, particularly through improving regional collaboration and the quality of preparedness systems. For instance, as part of the BRAT project, the Italian Red Cross established and implemented basic and follow-up training for assessment teams in Bosnia and Herzegovina, involving around 30 volunteers. The FloodNorthAlb project, initiated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in 2023, plans to operate in 2024. It aims to implement a Full Scale Exercise in Albania to bolster multi-level flood response preparedness and affirm the auxiliary status of the Red Cross in the Albanian disaster management system. Furthermore, the VolfAid project saw the Italian Red Cross conduct a workshop and a Discussion-Based Exercise with the Albanian Emergency Management Authority and the Albanian Red Cross, reflecting efforts to enhance regional disaster preparedness and response through the sharing of knowledge and expertise, as well as training and exercises.
In addition to these projects, the Italian Red Cross has been an Observer member in the NHF network, contributing modestly to its overall work and implementation. Since the network’s inception, the Italian Red Cross staff has participated in various meetings, both online and in-person, such as those held in Sofia and Geneva in 2019 and online in 2021. Notably, the Italian Red Cross provided financial support for the event in Sofia. Through the NHF network, the Italian Red Cross organized a series of online webinars on COVID-19 response across different sectors, including health, disaster risk reduction, social inclusion, and volunteer management. These webinars were part of a broader initiative to support RCRC National Societies in their COVID-19 response, aiming to enhance skills and exchange best practices. Although invited to participate in a training course on psychosocial support and field simulation in Croatia in 2021-2022, the Italian Red Cross could not deploy its experts due to internal operational challenges.
Overall, the Italian Red Cross’s efforts in the Balkans and within the NHF network highlight its commitment to enhancing regional disaster preparedness and response, fostering cooperation, and sharing valuable expertise and practices.