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Indian Ocean Sub-regional Programmes Appeal 2006-2007 No. MAA64002

Attachments

This appeal seeks CHF 913,370(1) to fund programmes and activities to be implemented in 2006 and 2007. These programmes are aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda goals:

1. Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.

2. Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.

3. Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross and Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.

4. Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

Programmes
2006 Budget in CHF
2007 Budget in CHF
Total Budget in CHF
Organizational Development
[Comoros] - [Madagascar] - [Mauritius] [Seychelles]
353,674
341,514
695,188
Implementation and Coordination
[Indian Ocean Islands sub-regional office]
109,091
109,091
218,182
Totals
462,765
450,605
913,370


Focus in 2006

The Indian Ocean sub-region comprises the four south western countries of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. The sub-region is very diverse politically, economically, demographically and in general living conditions. The health conditions of a major section of the population of Madagascar and Comoros are deplorable. Cholera and malaria are endemic and HIV/ Aids prevalence is growing. In rural areas of Madagascar, where most Malagasy live, only 3% have adequate sanitation and 10% have access to safe water. In Comoros some 82% of the population have access to basic healthcare but poor hygiene and the high number of inhabitants per square kilometre contributes to significant levels of disease transmission.

The sub-region is susceptible to natural disasters, particularly floods during the annual cyclone season from December to April. Although Mauritius, Rodrigues and La Reunion do not escape Madagascar tends to be the worst affected as the cyclones frequently find landfall as they continue their path westwards. In Comoros the Karthala volcano on the island of Grande Comore is quite active, its most recent eruption being in April 2005, forcing 10,000 inhabitants to flee their homes. Additionally considerable damage was caused to some of the Seychelles islands following the December 26 2004 Tsunami.

The national societies are key actors in times of natural disasters epidemic outbreak and vaccination campaigns. Activities to strengthen the capacity of the four national societies in the fields of disaster preparedness and health and care, in 2006, are covered under the Tsunami Plan of Action.

This Appeal seeks support to assist the four national societies to put the systems and structures in place to manage their programmes effectively throughout their respective countries. This includes monitoring, reviewing and revising strategic plans, drawing up annual plans, reviewing organograms, adapting human and financial resource systems to meet changes in programming, revision of statutes and internal regulations. Particular priority will be given to the Malagasy Red Cross to resolve its institutional challenges in the organisation. This will require a restructuring of the national society, with a major focus on sound management at central level and strengthening of branches throughout the country. The revision of the Red Cross Act and the national society's Statutes is urgent.

In Comoros, support will be given to the national society to fulfil its obligations as a new member of the Federation. Emphasis will be placed on branch development and strengthening the co-ordinating role of the headquarters. In Seychelles, building up a management structure in the national society is a priority. This will require the design of a new organogram and changing roles for governance members, who previously had more of a hands-on role in the day to day running of the organisation.

The transformation of the organization since the 26 December 2004 Tsunami has highlighted certain gaps which will require a revision of Statutes and the Red Cross Act. As part of the Federation's change strategy, and due to the increased level of activities within the four national societies since the Tsunami, a new sub-regional office will open in Mauritius before the end of 2005. The location of this small office will allow flexibility of movement within the four countries, more consistent support to the national societies and enable more effective networking with other humanitarian actors based in the sub-region.

The International Federation is the world's largest humanitarian organization, and its millions of volunteers are active in over 183 countries. Our aim is to build safer communities, able to prevent and re spond to human suffering in times of crises and distress, and where people work together to promote hope, dignity and equity. We work to support vulnerable communities through neutral, impartial, independent humanitarian action, in accordance with our Fundamental Principles and in line with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Code of Conduct, the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, and the SPHERE Project.

Note: 1 USD 696,166 or EUR 590,223

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