A) Objectifs de l’engagement:
The Arctic region is a vast northern area, characterized by severe conditions and challenging geography. It is home to numerous northern communities, but also a target of growing interest from outside the area looking to the untapped possibilities, resources, and commercial interests the area has to offer. Shipping traffic, industries, and tourism are gradually increasing in often challenging territories, which often are habited by small communities and indigenous communities. National Red Cross Societies act as auxiliaries to their governments and serve as key actors in social and humanitarian work throughout the Arctic region. They contribute to varying degrees to their respective national disaster preparedness and response frameworks, in some contexts having a large and formal role and, in others, a less defined role. In all contexts, their presence and contribution are based on a network of trained local volunteers with extensive knowledge and experience about the Arctic region conditions and, to a varying degree, national deployable groups and staff. The National Societies cooperate in developing new ways of increasing the level of preparedness, i.e., through training, capacity building, planning, and exercises in Arctic settings.
B) Plan d’action
For the years 2020-2024, the undersigned National Red Cross Societies hereby pledge – in positive synergy with the work of the Arctic Council:
- To strengthen the sharing of knowledge and experience, cooperation, and coordination in the field of disaster preparedness and response in the Arctic region.
- To deepen the cooperation of Red Cross Arctic National Societies and the IFRC with regard to the work done by the Arctic Council
- To further develop community preparedness and resilience initiatives for the Arctic region related to emergencies and disasters by exploring effective solutions to reduce and minimize potential vulnerabilities caused by climate risks and hazards in the Arctic region.
C) Indicateurs permettant de mesurer les avancées:
- Establish an informal network representing Red Cross Arctic National Societies and the IFRC with the aim of strengthening the internal collaboration and the IFRC Observer role in the Arctic Council and its working groups.
- Outline a scope for and/or conduct Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (VCA) together with selected communities prone to emergencies and disasters in the Arctic region.
- Identify and list possibilities for increased cooperation on Arctic preparedness and response and/or develop preparedness and response tools such as early warning systems, contingency plans, and protocols in close cooperation between relevant authorities.
- Share knowledge and investigate the possibility of harmonizing National Societies’ disaster response tools and protocols for arctic and remote areas to support local action and regional cooperation.
D) Ressources nécessaires:
N/A
