Executive summary
Bosnia and Herzegovina is situated in south-eastern Europe, on the western Balkan Peninsula, and has a population of approximately 4 million. The Balkan wars caused extensive destruction and created sharp divisions between the country's populations. The real gross domestic product plummeted by 80 per cent and more than two million people - nearly half the prewar population - became refugees, either abroad or internally. Since the end of war in 1995 and the Dayton Peace Agreement, the country has moved towards peace and reconciliation. Endeavours to increase cohesiveness and countrywide cooperation are, however, progressing slowly as deep divisions and mistrust still persist.
The political impasse has had adverse effects for economic and social development. The country has a modest GDP per capita of USD 4,800, unemployment is exceptionally high and corruption is a major challenge. Poverty is widespread and several groups face hardship and vulnerabilities. In 2009 the country experienced sharp increases in social spending and a fiscal crisis precipitated by the global economic downturn. The financial crisis is thus currently taking its toll on the country's economy and available data indicate that the economy is in recession. Public sector and tax revenues have been dropping rapidly, and in the first quarter both exports and imports dropped significantly. As spending on social protection schemes is large by international standards these trends may have serious social and humanitarian consequences if the sustainability of the system is put at risk. The public pension is below the official threshold of relative poverty and other state allowances are low, and thus already inadequate for maintaining an adequate standard of living for many.
Among the most vulnerable are poor families with children, pensioners and elderly people, disabled people, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and minorities. A substantial number of IDPs have returned, but face legal, social, economic or political obstacles to reintegration. Furthermore people at risk of being trafficked have emerged as a serious challenge. In addition to political and socioeconomic issues, various natural and man-made disasters hit the country almost every year with floods becoming increasingly frequent. The level of poverty and already existing vulnerabilities in the country increases the risk to, and the potential destructive effects of these phenomena for the most vulnerable.
In this context the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only humanitarian actor covering and addressing humanitarian needs in the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This plan seeks to support the National Society's endeavours in disaster management, health and care, organizational development and the promotion of Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and humanitarian values. Hence it is aligned with the Federation Global Agenda Goals and the Federation of the Future Framework for Action.
Disaster management activities focus on organizational and preparedness, community preparedness and risk reduction, and disaster management planning. Objectives centre on establishing, training and equipping national disaster response teams (NDRT) and municipal entities. Reduced vulnerability to disasters through community-based projects thus constitutes an essential element. Moreover the society will conduct a vulnerability and capacity assessment and develop a national plan for preparedness and response including standard operating procedures.
In health and care the main objective is to provide quality home care services to vulnerable elderly people. Services include home visits and personal care as well as distribution of food and hygiene parcels. Further emphasis will be put on planning and quality as to better meet the needs among target groups and maintain public authorities' recognition of the programme, as the latter has recognized that the programme is currently addressing gaps in the health sector. Furthermore the added value of the programme in terms of promoting a culture of cooperation between the two entities will be further fostered. HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and harm reduction activities constitute elements in the second health and care component. Voluntary non-remunerated blood donation and first aid are additional activities carried out by the National Society.
Organizational development has for long been a particularly thorny issue for the society. Since the adoption of new statutes in 2006 the society has experienced a deadlock over the election of a president and selection of a secretary general. This has impeded not only organizational development, but has had severe consequences for the society as a whole in developing into a more robust and coherent organization. However, in 2009 the National Society succeeded in uniting on both a president and a secretary general, making it the first national organization in the country to abandon the presidential rotation system. This opens up a possibility for an effective restructuring of the society. In order to build upon the recent promising developments the supported components focus on developing leadership skills, improving the society's human resource structure and policy, and enhancing programme performance. Key activities include an organizational assessment which will serve as the basis for restructuring the society, and a revision of the society's statutes.
The promotion of the fundamental principles and humanitarian values are integrated elements in all programme activities as well as the profiling of the National Society. The component under the programme forges information networks and vocational training for asylum seekers from Bosnia and Herzegovina to increase their ability to become self-sustainable. The society is currently exploring the need for targeting new vulnerable groups such as victims of human trafficking and intends to continue its work with Roma people.
The International Federation's representative office in Bosnia and Herzegovina will support the National Society based on the latter's strategic priorities within disaster management, health and care, organizational development and fundamental principles and humanitarian values. Supported areas are in line with the four Global Agenda Goals and the Federation of the Future Framework for Action. The plan furthermore reflects the society's commitment towards scaling up its activities with emphasis on health and social care including activities related to HIV and AIDS. The support encompasses technical advice in programme planning and management, training, information sharing, advocacy and active promotion of programmes in conjunction with regional and cross regional networks.
The total 2010-2011 budget is CHF 425,134 (USD 415,438 or EUR 280,887).
