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

Statutory Meetings / 33rd IC Resolution Report / 33rd International Conference / Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 3: Time to act: Tackling epidemics and pandemics together (33IC/19/R3) – British Red Cross

  1. Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?

    Yes

    The commitments are incorporated into:
    Strategy
    Policy
    Operational plan

    At the National level

    Explanation:

    In 2021 the British Red Cross published our report ‘Ready for the Future’, which looks at how we can learn from the pandemic and other recent emergencies in order to improve our response. It explores how we can meet people’s needs in a crisis by adopting a human-centred lens.  This research was several years in the making. It was planned before COVID-19 but took on an additional dimension as the pandemic changed what was meant by an emergency, and seriously challenged the existing structures and systems that make up our emergency response. Our teams also responded to the government’s consultation on a National Resilience Strategy.

    We continue to engage with decision-makers to influence the detail of the strategy and the Civil Contingencies Act review. We are seeking to ensure that any future legislation underpinning the response to UK emergencies meets people’s needs by placing them at the centre of preparation, response and recovery.
    https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/we-speak-up-for-change/ready-for-the-future-improving-emergency-structures#:~:text=Our%20report%2C%20Ready%20for%20the,and%20effective%20in%20an%20emergency

    Building on the lessons of the COVID pandemic, pandemic preparedness has been developed as a core contingency plan for the British Red Cross’ UK crisis response services.

  2. Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?

    Yes

    Partner with:
    ICRC/IFRC
    Academia

    Examples of cooperation:

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of States enacted emergency decrees and/or other new legal instruments that introduced measures to prepare for and respond to the pandemic. The British Red Cross supported the IFRC Disaster Law Program to complete a mapping of the emergency measures introduced in 113 countries. A subsequent mapping was conducted to further understand measures beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on public health emergencies generally. This work contributed to the IFRC’s Guidance on Law and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. The British Red Cross also financially supported the publication, which provides guidance on best practice for law and public health emergencies.

    As part of the above mapping, the British Red Cross also reviewed the emergency legislation for the 14 British Overseas Territories.

  3. Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?

    Yes

    With challenges on:
    Human resources
    Funding constraints
    Competing priorities

  4. Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?

    Yes

    Type of Impact:
    Programming and operations have become more effective and efficient
    Innovative tools/methodologies have been developed and are utilized
    Increase in mobilization of resources
    Training and capacity of staff and volunteers has increased (for National Societies)

    Details about the impact:

    In March 2021, the British Red Cross Psychosocial & Mental Health Team (PMHT) received its final evaluation from Public Health England (now known as the UK’s Health Security Agency), noting that PMHT activities have ‘led to measurable improvements in the workforce’s self-reported capacity to cope with and respond to individuals in crisis’ and highlighted the ‘value of the CALMER framework for promoting the resilience of frontline responders’.

    Amongst our offers of support are our responses to critical and major incidents, joint consultations (joining staff and volunteers to meet with clients they have most concerns about) and co-developing mental health care pathways. We supported teams in crisis responses, including to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  5. Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?

    Yes

    Description of the impact:

    Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the British Red Cross organised a ‘COVID-19 Lived Experience Advisory Group’ (LEAG) which met during 2020 – 2021. This was a group of people from across the country who were particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Drawing on their personal experiences, advice and collaboration, British Red Cross teams work to ensure that our services, products and activities are inclusive, accessible and relevant for everyone who needs them.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, in its function as Trustee of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (the Conference), cannot be held responsible or liable in any manner for any user-generated content or posts on this Database. In the event that the Website team considers any post or content to be incompatible with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and/or with the objectives of the Conference, it reserves the right to remove such content.