Our humanitarian activities are sustainable As a result of humanitarian disasters in recent years more and more countries in the world are paying great attention to the humanitarian area. The international organizations, particularly the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been implementing its mission in the fields with dignity, and a role of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and mutual cooperation relations between them are more developing. The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society also gives its contribution to the development of humanitarian area. 2015 had been one of the remarkable years for the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, as well as for the International Movement as a whole. In 2015 we solemnly celebrated the 95th anniversary of the foundation of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, the 150th anniversary of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Fundamental Principles of the International Movement. On the eve of that jubilee an honorary member of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, our respected President Mr. Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on awarding a number of Red Crescent workers with orders and medals for their outstanding services in the humanitarian area. This is a bright example of importance attached by our State to the National Society. The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society is the only officially recognized National Society functioning in the humanitarian field in our country and it represents the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the Republic of Azerbaijan. As in previous years, this year the National Society has implemented its humanitarian mission on a high level. Projects realized with the support of both local and foreign donors had covered not only Baku city, but also the regions of the Republic. For example, “Building safe and resilient communities” project has been implemented with the support of the Austrian Red Cross in a number of villages of Ismayilli and Gusar regions. At the same time, our traditional projects such as health promotion, dissemination of the IHL and the Fundamental Principles of the International Movement, the development of blood donorship, involvement of volunteers into the Movement activities were successfully continued. Development of fundraising and income generation area is one of priority issues for us. In order to make our activities sustainable and more effective in this area a special attention was given by us to the provision of “Fundraising and Income Generation” department of the National Society with qualified personnel. We have also increased the number of personnel working in this department. The main condition for implementation of humanitarian mission of the National Society is a mobilization of financial capacity. Herein it is particularly important to mention donations coming from citizens. As a donation is the main source of income generation for each National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society we also attach great importance to the development of this area. Along with it, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society extends its bilateral, business-like cooperation relations with local and foreign organizations working in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Our mutual relations with government structures are developing. Memorandums of Understanding and Cooperation Agreements signed with our traditional partners such as the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the State Migration Service, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), ANAMA agency play an important role in activities of our National Society and they make practical contributions to the development of our National Society. Our cooperation with government structures in this direction is developing in parallel to our joint activities with our traditional partners - the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). One of our main targets is to turn into a strong donor National Society in the region. This year we responded positively to the IFRC Appeal for assistance to the Belarusian Red Cross Society and the IFRC Appeal for assistance to victims of earthquake that happened in Nepal. We also provided financial assistance to the Red Crescent Society of Iraq. It would be appropriate here to mention one fact. Some employees of our National Society continue their humanitarian missions by holding different posts in the IFRC and ICRC. They represent Azerbaijan with dignity. At the same time the staff of our National Society participates in different international trainings and seminars where they shared experience with their colleagues from other National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and apply the obtained knowledge in their activities. Additionally, this year a delegation of the National Society participated in seminars on “Planning in Emergencies” and “Logistics” organized by the Red Crescent Societies of Iran and Turkey. Youth and Volunteers Policy has always been on our focus. This year many volunteers have involved in different activities of the National Society. Promotional activities on humanitarian values and international humanitarian law have also been conducted among young people. Particularly, active participation of young people and volunteers in blood donorship has been achieved. Generally, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society has played an important role in involving young people into humanitarian activities in Azerbaijan. Taking this opportunity I would like express my gratitude to local and international organizations as well as all those who supported us to implement humanitarian activities of our National Society. I am sure that our humanitarian activities will be sustainable and would be supported both at local and at international levels. Novruz Aslanov President of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society Member of the National Parliament DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE Goal: According to the Strategic Plan of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society for the years 2011-2015, by mobilizing capacities of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society to be better prepared to disasters and crises in order to save human lives. Thus, to achieve rehabilitation both within and out of the country after the disasters occurred. Activities: In 2015, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society continued to provide humanitarian aid and psychological support to people affected by different disasters (such as an earthquake, a fire, a flood, a landslide and etc). In 2015, a Working Group established in the National Society with the aim of developing “Rapid Emergency Response Plan” held its next meetings. The Working Group is headed by the Executive Secretary and includes relevant departments of the National Society. The members of the Working Group familiarize themselves with relevant documents received from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and partner National Societies. The work on developing “Rapid Emergency Response Plan” is still continuing taking into account that the National Society’s “Rapid Emergency Response Plan” must be perfect. The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society with a financial and technical support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Austrian Red Cross Society (Austrian RC) has been implementing “Building safe and resilient communities” project since December 2012. “Building safe and resilient communities” project is a three years project. The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society has finalized an implementation of the first stage of the project in Diyalli, Tazakend, Kurdmashi and Tirjan villages of Ismayill district and Kuzum and Anikh villages of Gusar district. In 2015, within the framework of the project Village Community Groups established in Kuzum and Anikh villages of Gusar district were trained on the themes of “Disaster Risk Reduction terms and concept”, “Participatory Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment”, “First Aid skills”, “Family Disaster Preparedness Plan and safety in a Family” and “Adaptation to Climate change”. “Disaster Assessment Matrix”, “Vitally Essential Elements” and “Designing Action Plan” tables and matrixes were distributed to Village Community Groups. By dividing into small groups each of these Village Community Groups completed these tables and matrixes based on the real situation in their villages. The completed tables and matrixes were presented and discussed. Also, with assistance of Village Community Groups mapping of disaster prone villages has been done. Other activities with Village Community Groups included: distribution of first aid kits to village community groups; providing communities with technical equipments; preparation of special information and instruction stands and corners on how to manage communities in time of emergency situations; organization of simulation sessions on “First aid”, “Tracing and Rescue” for communities. On 12 September, 2015, with the initiative of Gusar district branch of the AzRC and with a support of Gusar district executive authority there was organized an event on first aid (demonstration of first aid rules and organization of a quiz on first aid) in Narimanov park of Gusar district. The staff of relevant departments of the AzRC participated at the event. Related with logistics: In 2015, Disaster Preparedness and Response Department of the AzRC provided humanitarian aid in the amount of 4,066.48 manat to the affected people of Shamkir, Sabunchu, Agdash and