Humanitarian cooperation

Belarus developing foreign humanitarian aid platform

MINSK, 16 February (BelTA) - A platform to provide foreign humanitarian aid is being set up in Belarus. Its main provisions are outlined in the framework agreement on partnership signed between the Belarusian Red Cross Society (BRCS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross, BelTA learned from the BRCS press service.

The parties agreed to develop partnership, with the main focus on the projects to increase the capacity for preparedness and response to emergencies, the spread of knowledge about international humanitarian law and external operational communication, first aid, the restoration of family ties and migration, and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the displaced people from Ukraine. “The ICRC and BRCS have many years of partnership in many areas of mutual interest and regional importance. The Strategic Partnership Agreement for 2017-2020 was signed between the ICRC Regional Delegation to Russia, Belarus and Moldova and the Belarusian Red Cross Society. The implementation of this agreement is one of the tasks of the new framework document,” the BRCS noted.

Among the priority tasks the parties set forth is the strengthening of the BRCS' capacity in project management. The National Red Cross Society, with the support of partners, has already developed a budget for overhead expenses and a grading system for assessing posts and wages in order to introduce a uniform standard of financial support from partners and motivate its employees.

It is expected that the ICRC will allocate over €164,600 to the BRCS to carry out the activities stipulated in the framework agreement regarding the planned projects. Among them is a project to improve operational capabilities to respond to emergencies; to provide assistance to persons detained in connection with the violation of the migration legislation of Belarus; to restore family ties; spread knowledge on international humanitarian law; and first aid. 

The agreement is valid through the end of 2018. Its prolongation is not ruled out.

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