Yemen Red Crescent Society’s five-year strategy unveiled [Archives:2003/636/Health]

In a report released recently, the Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) has unveiled its strategy for the period of 2001-2005. The new initiative taken by the new head of the society, Former Minister of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Abdulwali Nasher, aims to project activities and plans based on the needs and ambitions of the society and also based on the 2000-2010 strategy of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCRCS).
The YRCS report contained goals and policies it has been working for and would be implementing during the above specified period.
According to the strategy, the society's administrative structure would establish as soon as possible new branches in governorates where none currently exist. Local priorities will dictate the order in which these branches are to be opened. The YRCS will also increase the number of the society's members and volunteers to 10,000 by the year 2010. The society also plans to update the society's technical, administrative and financial programs and regulations and to restructure the society's executive council and branches.
According to the new strategy, the Secretary General of the Society will be responsible for human resources, finance, and administration of archive and records, information, and the library.
On the other hand, the Assistant Secretary General will carry out his responsibilities in disaster coordination, international relations, information, education, youth, training, planning, research, and development.
In addition, a prototype structure will be designed with the aim of decentralizing administration and thus granting the Society's branches enhanced powers to implement plans and programs.
The report mentions that the society's partnership base will be extended at both local and international levels. Relations with all partners will be sustained and strengthened.
As for essential drugs policy, the report mentioned that the society will be committed to conforming to the National Essential Drug list and promoting awareness, among both care providers and recipients in the community, about the rational prescription and use of drugs.
For first aid policy the report says that, training in first aid for the home, factories and all public places will be expanded and improved.
The report mentions that in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and Population and other relevant bodies, the Society will work towards raising standards and extending coverage of health care in many fields. Among those fields are primary health care (particularly first aid, reproductive health and family planning), combating diseases (particularly-HIV/AIDS), ensuring blood safety, health education, prison health, mental health, and environmental health, safety in the home, schools, workplaces, centers of recreation etc.
Regarding social services policy, the report mentions that in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministries of Finance, Planning, Social Security and Labor, the Social Fund for Development and other relevant bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, the society will adopt and expand the Basic Development Needs (BDN) Program.
The society will also prioritize and provide for, as far as possible, the needs of particular target groups such as the vulnerable and the socially marginalized minorities, e.g. Akhdam, refugees, the handicapped etc.
The society in its youth policy will work towards attracting new members, both male and female, expanding training and education programs for new members, and giving all due importance to the training of trainers in both headquarters and branches, this training to be carried out in coordination with the relevant ministries and other institutions.
On disaster preparedness and response policy, the society will increase the strategic stock of relief and shelter materials and improve the standards and abilities of disaster-relief teams, to enable it to respond to disasters efficiently and rapidly. These improvements will be carried out in coordination with the society's national and international partners.
The Society will have an adequate emergency response policy, with particular reference to road traffic, firearms and burn accidents. In coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Interior and other relevant bodies, the society will implement training programs for ambulance crews and policy emergency response teams (Alnajda) operating in cities and on the highway. In addition, the society will promote educational programs to reduce both the number of preventable accidents and the human and economic damage resulting from them.
The society will in its gender policy work towards educating the public on the equal rights of both sexes regardless of age or class.
The report has further mentioned that the Society will audit and evaluate on a monthly basis the implementation of its plans. It will also computerize all its administrative and financial activities.
The society will employ all means available to promote the Seven Fundamental Principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality)
It will also lobby the International Federation of RCRC to include Yemen in its African Initiative (ARCHI) so as to make use of the Initiative's available resources.
The society will press for the appointment of representatives to the Donor Coordination Committees in the Ministries of Planning, Health and Population, Tourism and Environment, Education, Youth and Sport, and Information.
As for its fund raising policy, the society's report mentions that funding will be sought in Yemen from membership fees, state support, a special budget, grants, a Red Crescent Society Fund to be based on nominal sums levied on the sale of every packet of cigarettes, liter of petrol, diesel and Kerosene, and liquid gas cylinder. The society will also be accepting gifts and grants from institutions, companies and individuals.
As for finances coming from abroad, the society will be accepting funds from the International Federation of RCRC, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies throughout the world. It will also receive donations from Arab and Non-Arab states, Institutions and individuals, as well as international organizations.
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