A) Objectives of the pledge:
In order to help address the needs of separated families and the families of missing persons, the components of the Movement must be able to rely on a strong global network and close cooperation with States. This pledge aims to strengthen this network, the partnerships between its members, and the mutual support between them and their national authorities.
This document provides a set of potential clauses that might be used in individual or joint pledges by National Societies, or National Societies and their State. Each of the clauses proposed serves to translate into definite actions specific elements of the 33rd International Conference Resolution “Restoring Family Links while respecting privacy, including as it relates to personal data protection” and the related Restoring Family Links Strategy 2020–2025.
B) Action plan:
Rwanda Red Cross Society actions and cooperation between National Societies
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society ensures that its management and all relevant departments are fully aware of the Restoring Family Links Strategy 2020–2025.
[] The Restoring Family Links (RFL) Program of the Rwanda Red Cross Society adapts the implementation measures in the Restoring Family Links Strategy 2020–2025 to its specific national context and develops annual action plans aligned with the strategy.
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society establishes its own RFL strategy based on priorities identified in and aligned with the Restoring Family Links Strategy 2020–2025.
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society establishes or reviews its strategic plan and/or development plans for the years until 2023 to ensure that restoring family links is meaningfully reflected as a program of the National Society, and that it is integrated in a multidisciplinary response to meet the needs of people affected.
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society is engaged to develop its own resources so that to be able to contribute for the implementation of RFL activities.
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society as a full member of Implementation Group and Application Group of Code of Conduct on Data Protection to be ambassador in the region, engages in peer-to-peer support with other National Societies to help them revise their strategic and/or development plans and their national RFL strategy.
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society engages in peer-to-peer support with other National Societies to help them strengthen their RFL capacities through temporary staff exchanges and joint operations.
(NB: i.e: Burundi Red Cross on Family Links Answers (FLA) Database-Dead Body Management; Belgian Red Cross on different fields include Unaccompanied children follow up; Danish Red Cross on PSS approach; American Red Cross on RFL in emergency; and other NS which could be identified upon need)
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society engages into peer-to-peer support with other National Societies to help them strengthen their RFL capacities by sharing experience and good practice related to casework, outreach and training.
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society includes RFL as a focus area of its international cooperation, including international cooperation conducted with other National Societies, IFRC, ICRC, and other relevant external stakeholders.
Cooperation between Rwanda Government and Rwanda Red Cross Society
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society works together with the Rwanda Government to ensure a clearly defined role for the Rwanda Red Cross Society by its integration in the country’s disaster preparedness plans and/or disaster risk management laws and policies, including those related to RFL services.
[] Joint annual meetings are held with relevant departments, and training courses and simulation exercises are conducted between relevant parties to improve preparedness.
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society works together with the Rwanda Government to ensure that the RFL needs of people are met.
[] The Rwanda Red Cross Society is granted access to places where people may be in need of RFL services in order to assess their needs. The findings are discussed in official meetings with relevant departments and action plans are established for follow-up.
[] The Rwanda Government and the Rwanda Red Cross Society recognize and promote the right to family life and the principle of family unity. Together, they coordinate and engage with other parties to address the multifaceted needs of separated families and the families of missing persons through a holistic and multi-sectorial approach.
C) Indicators for measuring progress:
C.1. Individual NS/Cooperation with other NS
*Awareness raising on RFL Strategy 2020-2025:
– One session of training to be organized to the Senior Managers of RRCS,
– One session of training to be organized to the Board Members of RRCS (include the Rwanda Government representative),
– One session of training to be organized to the Tracing Unit staff and FO of the ICRC Kigali Delegation,
– Two internal training sessions per year to be organized to the general staff of RRCS throughout quarterly coordination meetings,
– One session of training to be organized to the RFL Staff and volunteers of RRCS,
– Various session of training to be organized to the RFL and DM Focal Points of other National Societies throughout peer-to-peer visits, and/or annual RFL Regional meetings in different parts of Africa,
– Dissemination of RFL Strategy 2020-2025 amongst African NS via peer-to-peer visits, Regional meetings, virtual meetings and online platforms,
– Other opportunities which can be occur at any occasion.
*RFL annual action plan aligned with the Strategy:
– The documents includes the annual RFL plan of action and RRCS RFL Strategy are available at RRCS HQ and reflect the grand lines of RFL Strategy 2020-2025 in Rwandan context.
*Integration of RFL into RRCS Strategic/Development plans for the years until 2023:
– The reviewed and newly developed strategic plans for the RRCS until 2023 is including RFL as core programme of RRCS, and it is integrated to all its development plans and DREF, and the document will be available at RRCS HQ.
*Resources development
– By 2023, the RRCS will be able to develop its own resources by covering 50 % of its core cost and be able to contribute to support some RFL activities.
*Cooperation with other National Societies:
– Being full member of IG&AG, the RRCS will benefit that membership to cooperate with other NS in region to review their RFL Strategies by adapting the RFL Strategy 2020-2025 in their respective context, and support in the development of joint operations, staff exchange where possible, as well as sharing experience and good practice in concrete and virtual ways. The number and names of cooperated NS will be recorded and reported.
*RFL in international cooperation:
– RRCS will ensure that the cooperation and partnerships agreements signed with other NS, IFRC, ICRC, and other relevant stakeholders include RFL where necessary. Number of MoUs developed between RRCS and those actors which integrate the RFL will be signed, recorded, filed, and reported.
C.2. Cooperation between GoR and RRCS
*Joint meetings and simulation exercises:
– RRCS and GoR would appoint an annual review meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness, and Response; and at least one simulation exercise would be organized annually on preparedness issues. Agenda and report of joint meeting are recorded and reported; and the content of simulation exercise and its report are also recorded, filed, and reported.
*Affronting the RFL needs of people:
– RRCS will organize refresher session to the States Departments in charge of Emergency Management (where RFL is figured) to make sure that the GoR is well informed on RFL matters, RFL beneficiaries, and RFL needs; and session report will be recorded, filed, and reported.
– RRCS will cooperate with GoR to fulfill the RFL needs of people.
D) Resource implications:
Resources needed:
– Funds (Money)
– Equipment
– Staffs and volunteers
– Timeframe
– State and RC/RC Movement cooperation and coordination
– IG&AG Members official RC/RC Movement accreditation