Executive summary
Kosovo lies in the centre of the Balkan Peninsula, and is in border with Serbia in the north and east, Macedonia in the south, Albania in southwest and Montenegro in northwest. The UN Security Council resolution 1244 adopted in 1999 recognizes a special status to the Kosovo region under UN authority. The Kosovo assembly on 17 February 2008 declared independence, and since then some 62 countries have recognized Kosovo's independence.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' office in Kosovo provides support to the two local Red Cross organizations in Kosovo; the Red Cross of Kosova, covering approximately 90 per cent of the territory, and the Red Cross of Kosovo and Metohija, which considers itself as a provincial branch of the Red Cross of Serbia. Both Red Cross organizations work actively to support the vulnerable population in Kosovo based upon the humanitarian needs.
Kosovo remains one of the least developed areas of the Balkans, or for that matter Europe. A socio-economic crisis has led to growing poverty, while a wide range of health threats, proneness to natural disasters combined with public structures often unable to provide even the minimum of basic services all contribute to a high level of vulnerability among communities in Kosovo. While the capacity and experience of the Red Cross organizations in Kosovo has been steadily growing in recent years there is a continuing need for support from partner National Societies, the International Federation secretariat and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), assisting them in increasing their level of quality support to more vulnerable population while at the same time progressing towards becoming modern and well-functioning Red Cross organization based upon the criteria for a well-functioning National Society.
The overall goal of the Federation is to strengthen the capacities of the two organizations in order to provide support to the most vulnerable populations in line with vision as envisioned in its constitution and Strategy 2020 of the International Federation. The plan 2010-11 presents the prioritized needs of both Red Cross organizations and is being developed jointly.
Key areas for support of the Federation during 2010-11 will be focused on improving Red Cross organizations organizational and operational capacity through the organizational development and capacity building programme, strengthening the disaster management capacity through improved disaster preparedness and response capacity including risk mapping and contingency plans, strengthening the capacity to identify and respond to the basic health needs of the population, and build the capacity to provide basic support to vulnerable returnees. Promotion of humanitarian principles and values are a cross cutting programme component integrated in all programmes. This will also contribute to achieving the International Federation strategic aims 2020.
The implementation of the two-year plan 2010-2011 will result in having more visible, active and responsive Red Cross organizations with better image, improved planning and more sustainable programmes with an appropriate organizational structure, including supportive governance. It also aims at increasing Red Cross capacity and strengthening its role in civil society. All programmes supported by the International Federation's office in Kosovo are aligned with the Federation's Global Agenda goals as well as with the Framework for Action and Strategy 2020 that builds on achievements under Strategy 2010. At the same time, the plan puts into practice the Istanbul Commitments made by the VII European Regional Conference in May 2007. These commitments see the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Europe pledge to address together vulnerability and the challenges that their communities face. Health and social care and addressing the needs of people affected by migration are the main issues that the conference agreed will be addressed in the coming years through building stronger partnerships and alliances, and by advocating for the rights and needs of individuals and communities.
The total 2010 and 2011 budget is CHF 1,476,819 (USD 1,360,889 or EUR 973,815).
