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Overview

Bosnia and Herzegovina Annual Report The Red Cross programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina are aligned with the aims of the IFRC`s Strategy 2020 to save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises; enable healthy and safe living; and promote social inclusion and culture of non-violence and peace. The capacity-building efforts are specifically linked with Enabling Action One to build strong National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Stagnation in country’s economy coupled with the global financial crisis has severely and disproportionally affected the society of the country. Many of the middle class workers, pensioners, older people, single parent families and Roma are struggling to survive. Lack of opportunities, political instability and economic depression have caused large-scale emigration of skilled and educated individuals primarily youth, amplifying population depletion and aging process of the country’s demographics.

This situation also influences the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RCSBiH). In 2011 National Society’s primary source of funding - government grant has not been transferred to the NS due to the country’s political blockade adding additional strain on National Society’s operational functioning in 2012 and deepening the RCSBiH’s dependence on the support of other Red Cross partner organizations and donors. Despite the difficult economic situation the National Society found a way to stretch its capacities in order to cover the growing needs of the vulnerable population and by making the most out of its donor’s support, branch and volunteer network, the RCSBiH was able to keep alive its major programs during the reporting period.

Due to the tense and limiting political situation, the IFRC country representation has been focusing on fostering cooperation between the three different constituent people present in the National Society, feeling that the cooperation, integration and celebration of differences is indeed possible. The IFRC country representation continues to maintain dialogue and coordination between the Movement partners, supporting RCSBiH projects/programs and facilitating tailored organizational development support to the RCSBiH with an aim to strengthen its governance and management, resource mobilization and human resource management. Inclusion of the capacity building elements such as exchanges of experiences and trainings into the IFRC supported projects remains high priority and is underpinned in all areas of achievement as a means of enhancing National Society’s service delivery in empowering the most vulnerable communities.

Programs:

In addition to the on-going disaster preparedness activities, the International Federation provided continuous support to the municipal level disaster response operation during the cold wave at the beginning of 2012. The Bosnia and Herzegovina National Society was supported in reaching a successful agreement with the Ministry of Security regarding the National Society’s roles and responsibilities during international and national Disaster Management (DM) interventions.

Related to the European Union`s (EU) 2012 campaign under the motto, “Active Aging and Solidarity between Generations”, the National Society introduced an active aging component to the existing Home Care program. Furthermore, with the support of the IFRC, the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RCSBiH) started the implementation of a project aiming to facilitate integration of the Roma national minority into the society.

In terms of Organizational Development, the RCSBiH applied in 2012 to participate in the Organizational Capacity Assessment and Certification (OCAC) process. Applying and participating in the process is a testimony to the RCSBiH commitment to fully develop their Society into a modern and well-functioning National Society. Capacity building efforts remain a priority of the IFRC work. The focus in this reporting period was on building NS Resource Mobilization (RM) capacities through RM workshops and development and the adoption of the unified reporting system according to Federation standards.