ReliefWeb

This report covers the period of 01/06/07 to 31/10/07.

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

In brief

Programme Summary:

The Panama Regional Representation has been strongly supporting the important work of National Societies which focuses on assisting people of the Central America region who are vulnerable due to a variety of social, economic and environmental challenges. Much consideration has been given to the individual and collective priorities of the National Societies of the region, particularly as they are outlined in National Development and Strategic Plans, and as expressed during regular Presidents and Technical Seminar Meetings. Given that the Inter American Plan 2007-2011 agreed upon in Guayaquil also sought to reflect such priorities, the Regional Representation's core programme areas have guided and supported National Societies and their programmes in the drafting of Strategic Plans and Plans of Action aiming to ensure the inclusion of the Guayaquil commitments.

The integrated development of the regional plan for 2008-2009 also took place during this period, within the framework of the new Inter-American Plan 2007-2011, the Global Agenda and in line with regional plans across the continent.

The Regional Health and Care Programme is seen as the regions' leader in the forwarding of new initiatives and the rolling out of methodologies. It coordinates and cooperates with the Caribbean and South America region with the objective of achieving harmonization of the programme on a continental level. The programme has also been following the Global Health and Care Strategy by focusing on intensifying and scaling up its contribution to the health and socio-economic development of communities through capacity building, social mobilization, partnerships, health in emergencies, advocacy and community empowerment. Additionally, the programme has adhered to the new components agreed upon at the Inter-American Conference which total a number of ten, including the new components: "Road Safety" and "Harm Reduction." The regional Health and Care programme has also begun work with National Societies in the region towards the Global Alliance on HIV and AIDS through the drafting and subsequent revision of Frameworks for Action.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Programme has continued to aim its work towards two vital areas: the improvement of National Society capacity and the ever better preparedness and recovery of communities from natural hazards. Work towards the achievement of these results has been carried out through the centres of reference, the regional focal point on SPHERE and the regional disaster network "REDCAMP Disasters." The latter seek to establish links between individual projects thus creating process and seek to establish common approaches to risk reduction within each National Society and its branches which has ultimately resulted in the harmonization of methodologies, and use of materials.

Even though the Regional Organizational Development and the Regional Humanitarian Pronciples and Values Programmes have suffered the most from lack of financial resources which have limited their actions; both have been able to carry out efficient and effective initiatives. Such initiatives are the result of creative thinking and strategic alliances.

Natural disasters have continued to manifest itself in Central America, showing an increase in events since 2006 and at the same time an increase in National Society capacity to respond effectively, thanks in part to the timely support of the Federation through the Regional Representation and the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU). Almost all countries in the region have experienced bad weather during the reporting period with minor to severe damage. Hurricane Felix in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, floods in Mexico and floods in Costa Rica have been the highlights of the regions' meteorological events.

The full consolidation of the zone technical team has not taken place as expected due to a decrease in financial resources. The new Head and Deputy Head of Zone, with the zone senior management team, have been in ongoing contact with membership and National Societies cooperating in the continent in order to define innovative approaches to face the challenge of putting the new operating model into action.

Due to the significant reduction of core funding for 2008 and the potential decrease in financial support from traditional donors due to changing priorities, new and improved working methods are already being explored by the regional team in Panamá through integrated programming, identification of new funding sources and strengthened partnerships and alliances in the region.

Needs: Total 2006-2007 budget CHF 6,545,117 (USD 5,854,309 or EUR 3,966,738) out of which 74% covered. Outstanding needs are CHF 1,726,015 (USD 1,543,842 or EUR 1,046,069).

No. of people we help:

The Panama Regional delegation focuses on building the capacities of National Societies in the region. In consequence, direct beneficiaries of the regional delegation's programmes are National Societies themselves including their staff at headquarters and branch level, governance bodies and volunteers. In effect, the regional delegation's indirect beneficiaries belong to the civil society since it is through the strengthening of National Society's capacities and the technical support offered, that methodologies, initiatives and activities as a whole can be carried out and implemented accordingly.

Our Partners:

The Panama Regional Delegation has a number of partners who offer technical and/or financial support to the different programme areas while other partners work hand in hand with the delegation through alliances and joint collaborations. Partner National Societies include the American, British, Canadian, Italian, Netherlands, Finnish, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and Swiss Red Cross Societies with funding received from the British, Swedish, Finnish Red Cross Societies, DFID, ECHO and ProVention. The regional delegation continues to build on its relationships with other organizations during the reporting period such as Plan International, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UNOCHA, PAHO/WHO, ISDR, World Food Programme (WFP), McCann Erickson and AudioVideo.

For further information please contact:

In Panama: Fabricio Lopez; Acting Regional Representative, Panama City; email: fabricio.lopez@ifrc.org; telephone: + 507 317 1300; fax + 507 317 1304

In Panama: José Garcia-Lozano, Head of Zone, Americas Zone; email: Jose.Garcialozano@ifrc.org; Telephone + 507 317 1300; Fax + 507 317 1304

In Panama: Maria Alcazar, Resource Mobilization Coordinator, Americas Zone; Email: maria.alcazar@ifrc.org, Telephone: + 507 317 1300; Fax + 507 317 1304

To support or find out more about the Federation's programmes or operations, go to on www.ifrc.org