This reports covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2011
Programme outcome
To strengthen the Viet Nam Red Cross society's role as the leading humanitarian organization in Viet Nam.
Programme summary
Overall, in the year 2011, Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC) demonstrated its renewed capacity to deal with disaster and health programmes and operations through its growing network of trained volunteers, clear strategic and operational frameworks and ability to incorporate lessons from previous experiences.
In disaster management, the focus was on building capacities in disaster response and preparedness and risk reduction. The development of standard operating procedures (SOP) and launch of a trained National Disaster Response Team (NDRT) were significant steps towards building surge capacity. Lessons learnt from the previous disaster operation were incorporated in the plan for a new emergency appeal launched in view of the extensive damage caused by floods that hit the Mekong region in November 2011. Evaluations of the previous phase of the mangrove plantation/disaster risk reduction programme informed the design of the final phase, aiming towards sustainability and with an additional focus on climate change adaptation. Challenges and constraints in logistics capacity development and branch engagement in disaster response preparedness were acknowledged and will be incorporated in follow-up discussions in 2012.
In health care, the focus was on further intensifying the community-based health and first aid (CBHFA) approach as health campaigns brought together communication on behaviour change and contingency planning for disease prevention, injury prevention and activities for community hygiene inside and outside health emergencies. A key element of the programme was tapping into an extensive pool of trained and experienced volunteers in initiatives to check the spread of infectious diseases such as influenza, dengue fever and hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). While road accidents continue to be a growing menace in Viet Nam, the work of Red Cross volunteers for first aid and road safety gained a lot of significance. However, the lack of adequate long-term funding could pose challenges to continuity of efforts and their impact.
In organizational development, finalization and dissemination of VNRC’s strategic plan up to 2020 strengthened its focus as operational plans for implementing the strategy were worked out. Capacities in planning, monitoring and reporting were built at different levels. The information and volunteer management systems received a further boost through initiatives on enhancing the use of information and communication technology. The ongoing financial audit process gained significant progress during the reporting period, marking a move towards greater accountability and transparency.
The initiation of technical working group meetings and a knowledge sharing platform provided by the partnership meeting in September 2011, facilitated the process of strengthening greater coordination between VNRC and its partners. VNRC’s strategy 2020 document and IFRC country office’s long-term planning framework (LTPF) have provided a framework for VNRC’s programmes in the next few years in order to achieve the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’s objectives articulated in the global Strategy 2020 framework.
Financial situation
The total 2011 budget is CHF 1,114,967 of which CHF 1,286,663 (115 per cent) was covered during the reporting period (including opening balance). Overall expenditure as of 31 December 2011 was CHF 827,011 (74 per cent) of the budget.
No. of people we have reached
A total of 438,870 people have been reached through activities under this country plan. Of this, 85,668 people (out of which 69 per cent are women) have been reached directly and 353,202 people (out of which 53 per cent are women) have been indirect beneficiaries.
Our partners
Main partners who have supported VNRC under this appeal include Japanese Red Cross Society (as a long-term partner under the 2011-2015 memorandum of understanding) and New Zealand Red Cross, as well as Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) through Australian Red Cross, UK Department for International Development (DFID), Rockefeller Foundation (through Netherlands Red Cross/Climate Centre).
Also contributing to the work of the national society on a bilateral basis are the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), American Red Cross, Australian Red Cross, French Red Cross, German Red Cross, Italian Red Cross, Netherlands Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, and Swiss Red Cross.
The total international Red Cross Red Crescent Movement (Movement) support to VNRC for its development programmes in 2011 was CHF 4,097,888. On behalf of Viet Nam Red Cross, IFRC would like to thank all partners and contributors for their response to this appeal and other bilateral support.