The Red Cross Society of Georgia

Founded: 1918 Members: 10,200 (2005) Volunteers: 1,050 (2005) Staff: 61 (2005) Expenditure: 208,887 GEL 146,708 CHF (January-July, 2005)

1. Foundation

Mission In 2003, the Red Cross Society of Georgia adopted a new mission and vision, which convey the essence of the organisation’s existence, its values and aspirations to improve the lives of vulnerable people.

The mission of the Red Cross Society of Georgia is ‘to assist vulnerable people in coping with the effects of emergencies and socio-economic crisis by mobilizing the power of humanity and ensuring appropriate means and services to protect human life and dignity’.

Its vision is to become ‘a strong and well-functioning national society, responsive to and focused on the vulnerable, with efficient services in line with international standards and promoting creation of an environment that is free from poverty, violence and prejudice’.

The focus and priorities of the national society’s work are detailed in the national society strategy paper for 2004-2005, which is now being revisited and adjusted based on the analysis of internal and external environment. The objective is to establish a relevant and pragmatic plan, which will guide the national society over the coming four years (2006-2009).

Legal base The Red Cross Society of Georgia was formally recognized under the former Soviet structure and, after independence, by presidential decree in 1993. The Red Cross law was passed by the parliament in 1997. The same year, the national society became a member of the International Federation. The Georgian Red Cross statutes were revised to distinguish between governance and management functions and to ensure compliance with the national legislation and the Federation’s minimum requirements. The Joint Federation and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Statutory Commission in Geneva has reviewed the latest draft, which will now be presented to the General Assembly of the national socie ty for adoption by the end of 2005.

Constituency The national society structure covers all administrative regions of the country except a breakaway region of Abkhazia, in western Georgia. The national society was able to re-establish some presence in the disputed territory of South Ossetia, where two primary Red Cross organisations (community groups attached to the Red Cross) were established. The Red Cross has in total 10 regional and 74 branch offices (including 10 branches in the capital Tbilisi).

Capacities of the Red Cross branches were mapped in 2004 through a comprehensive assessment conducted jointly by the Georgian Red Cross, the Federation and the ICRC. 59 of 75 branches were visited to collect information on their legal status, foundation, structures, human, material and financial resources, the scope of work and involvement with the communities. The remaining 16 branches, mainly in western Georgia, were covered by the ICRC. The assessment revealed that:

1 · 34.5 per cent of the branches assessed have a basic capacity that include premises, human resources and limited activities implemented in partnership with other organisations (these branches received less then two points according to the CAPI1 scoring scale of one to five, in which one point is the highest indicator and five is the lowest). · 30.6 per cent have 20 and more volunteers. · Three Red Cross branches (6.1 per cent) do not have volunteers and have been classified among the weakest branches. · Five branches in Tbilisi, one in Kvemo Kartli region, three is Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region and another three in Adjara region have been identified as the strongest branches.

2. Capacity

Leadership The general assembly elects president and 11 members of the presidium, which meets at least every three months. In 1999 a position of secretary general was introduced and was filled in April 2004. Decisions regarding policy are centralized in the office of the Red Cross president. Operating and financial issues are managed by the Red Cross secretariat headed by the secretary general.

Human resources The Red Cross Society of Georgia employs 61 people (21 at the national headquarters and 40 at regional/branch level). Salaries in the national society are lower compared to other non-governmental organisations in the country. Red Cross has about 1,050 volunteers who are involved in its various activities.

Financial resources The society’s expenditure in 2005 (as of 1 July 2005) was GEL 208,887 (CHF 146,708). Almost all Red Cross funding currently comes via the Federation’s annual appeals, the ICRC and few other international donors. There are very little domestic sources of income. Red Cross regional and branch offices have made efforts to raise funds locally, but with not much success.

Material resources The Red Cross Society of Georgia owns its headquarters building, a warehouse in Tbilisi, a number of computers, some office equipment, and seven operational vehicles. Most material resources have been financed and/or donated by the Federation Secretariat and the ICRC. In regions, Red Cross branches experience shortage of material resources including office space, equipment and furniture.

Organisation/planning Since 2003, the Red Cross has been rebuilding the organisation that ceased operating during uncertainty over its leadership in 2001-2002. The focus has been on improving Red Cross legal base as well as on strengthening management and governance functions, which is essential for the effective functioning of the organisation. The Statutes of the Red Cross Society of Georgia was revised. Regulations, rules and procedures were established for the governance and management to increase effectiveness of their performance. The national society has advanced in its strategic planning for 2006-2009. The plan will enable the Red Cross to realise its objectives in a consistent way.

The finance management system and mechanisms have been established too to improve the accountability. Branch development strategy is in preparation. Efforts have been made to improve communication within the national society – between the headquarters and branches. A number of community-based projects have been initiated too in few regions via participatory approach (Participatory Community Development).

1 Customised Assessment and Performance indicators, a self-assessment methodology. 2 Partnerships The Red Cross Society of Georgia cooperates with various ministries and institutions in the country, particularly the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior (Emergency and Civil Safety Department), as well as Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation. Dialogue has been initiated with the local authorities too to ensure coordination and support for Red Cross community work.

Although the number of non-Movement partners has increased over the last three years, it is still modest. The national society is determined to continue fostering bilateral relations and it is hoped, the positive changes of the recent years will encourage more organisations to work with it.

In terms of Movement partners, several national societies work with the Red Cross Society of Georgia through the Federation’s annual and/or emergency appeals: the British Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Finish Red Cross, German Red Cross and Swedish Red Cross. The British Red Cross also works bilaterally with the Red Cross Society of Georgia supporting a project in Kutaisi, west Georgia, that aims at breaking the isolation of single elderly people.

The ICRC has been present in Georgia since 1992. It has a delegation in Tbilisi and 359, includin g 24 expatriate, staff in the country. It is helping the national society in dissemination of the International Humanitarian Law and the Movement’s Fundamental Principles, as well as strengthening the tracing service of the Red Cross.

The Federation Secretariat has been assisting its member national society to reduce vulnerability in the country since 1993, mainly in relief with an increasing emphasis on development and capacity building. In 2001, due to the uncertainty over the leadership of the Red Cross, the Federation’s presence in Georgia was reduced. The Secretariat maintained a small office in Tbilisi to liaise with the national society, international organizations, and authorities of Georgia, and monitor the developments in the national society. In early 2002, the new president of the Red Cross Society of Georgia was confirmed. A new presidium was elected, and new senior staff members were appointed. Encouraged by a change process initiated by the national society and considering huge humanitarian needs on the ground, the Federation has re-engaged its support to help the Red Cross re-build its institutional capacities to support vulnerable people. The move paved the way for a new phase in the life of the Red Cross, offering it an opportunity to play an important role in alleviating suffering and improving lives of people in this poor country. The Federation Secretariat maintains a country delegation in Tbilisi with an internationally recruited delegate and three local staff. Additional support is provided from the Federation regional delegation in Ankara.

3. Performance

Activities

The main activities of the Red Cross include: · Strengthening capacities of the targeted branches to deliver tailored services through a participatory community development approach: this approach supports people to reduce the causes of their own predicaments and mobilizes community action. The initiative is supported by the Federation Secretariat to help the national society reconnect with the local communities it springs from. The approach is implemented in five branches (four in eastern and one in western Georgia). It brings together the Red Cross community network, local population, government authorities, non-governmental organisations and other relevant parties asking them to assess priority problems, design projects to address them so as to contribute collectively to solving these problems. · Disseminating the Movement’s Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values: the Red Cross has launched a monthly bulletin ‘Revie w’ in Georgian language to profile the work of the national society. In parallel, Red Cross trains its staff and volunteers, representatives of the government agencies and other targeted groups on the International Humanitarian Law and disseminates the Movement’s history, values

3 and principles. This part of the national society work is supported by the ICRC. The national society employs 13 dissemination officers in regions and additional two in Tbilisi. · Supporting elderly people in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, two biggest cities in Georgia to improve their health and living conditions.

Building on the achievements of the past three years, the Red Cross is planning to expand its activities in 2006 to contribute to reduced spread of HIV/AIDS, challenge stigma attached to the virus and initiate community-based disaster preparedness work.

In parallel to community work, the national society, supported by the Federation Secretariat and other partners, continues organisational reforms with a focus on improved programming and financial management.

4. Further information

· Red Cross statutes (2003) · Red Cross strategic plan (2004-2005)

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