For the sake of humanity As in recent years, global humanitarian crises and disasters had occurred in the world in 2018. As a result of these crises millions of people have become homeless, refugees and migrants. While trying to seek refuge in other countries these people had encountered great difficulties and experienced various urgent needs. In this situation we have witnessed once again the power and capabilities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to which we belong. At the same time, we have witnessed that while responding to the crises and disasters the countries are endeavoring to assist each other in finding solutions to difficult situations. The occurred events have demonstrated once again that in order to be prepared to disasters all necessary steps must be taken in peace time. Our priority activities identified in the National Society’s Strategic Development Plan for the years of 2016-2020 have been successfully implemented during the reporting period as well. As the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society we always try to assist each person within the limits of our capabilities in times of crises and emergencies and in accordance with the needs of each person. We are mobilizing our different resources and the power of people of mercy when we provide an impartial support to local communities within our country and when we assist the needy people at the international level. And we do this work in the name of humanity. When implementing the main directions of our activities (such as health and care, disaster preparedness and response, measures to reduce the risks, support to migrants, the establishment of Emergency Mobile Volunteer Teams, combating tuberculosis and etc) we take all necessary measures in order to solve certain problems faced by people, to increase appropriate knowledge and skills of people, to give them an opportunity to be united in communities and thus to be more resilient to different challenges and risks that might occur in times of emergencies and disasters. The most vivid example of this is the leading role that our mobile volunteer teams play in the Economic Security project that is successfully implemented by the International Committee of the Red Cross in communities close to a front-line and the close participation of our mobile volunteer teams in distribution, assessment activities carried out in the communities. As in previous years, in addition to our ongoing activities, a number of significant events also took place in the life of our National Society in 2018. The senior management, the staff of the Secretariat, employees of relevant departments of our National Society participated in various significant local and international events and represented their National Society at the highest level. I would like to particularly mention here some of these significant events. On 2- 4 July 2018, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Mr. Elhadj As Sy had paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan. This is for the second time in the history of our National Society that Secretary General of the IFRC was paying an official visit to the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society. During this visit within the framework of cooperation with the National Society future perspectives in humanitarian area have been discussed. With a view to strengthening even more cooperation relations already established, a tripartite agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the IFRC and the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society was signed. During the visit Secretary General of the IFRC held meetings with leaders of state bodies to discuss some actual issues. On 25-26 October 2018, the Assistant Secretary-General of the UN for Humanitarian Partnerships with the Middle East and Central Asia Mr. Rashid Khalikov and President of the Humanitarian Forum Dr.Hany El Banna visited the Headquarters of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society and held a meeting with the leadership of the National Society. During the meeting the guests were informed about humanitarian activities of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society. The participants of the meeting discussed some issues and future perspectives regarding the development of the humanitarian area in the Republic of Azerbaijan and exchanged views on joint cooperation relations in this area. Each benevolent action undertaken at both local and international levels is indispensable. In accordance with its mandate and mission the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society is ready to continue to carry out its humanitarian activities by mobilizing its capacity for the years ahead. Our target for the near future is to extend our fundraising activities in order to be able to respond to appeals of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at both local and international levels and thus to increase the number of humanitarian projects that we implement. We intend to strengthen the activities mentioned above and to extend the amount and the scope of coverage of our humanitarian aids. I express our sincere gratitude to all those who assist us to implement our charity mission and wish them every success. Novruz Aslanov President Member of the National Parliament Working with Regional Centers and local branches of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society GOAL To strengthen a material-technical base and a personnel potential of committees, regional centers, local branches and primary organizations of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society. To ensure that the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society is a strong organization supporting vulnerable people at national and international levels in order to implement effective and sustainable humanitarian activities at central and local levels. ACTIVITIES OUTCOMES 1. Preparatory meeting to the 25th General Assembly of The Preparatory meeting to the 25th General Assembly of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society was held at the the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society was presided by Headquarters of the National Society. President of the AzRC Dr.Novruz Aslanov. Coordinators of the Regional Centers and chairpersons of district branches covered by Baku Regional Center attended the meeting. The participants of the meeting discussed preparatory works for the 25th General Assembly of AzRC to be held on 28 February, 2018. It was mentioned historical importance of the 25th General Assembly for activities of the National Society. The chairpersons of district branches of the AzRC reported to the President of the AzRC about preparatory works done by their local branches. 2. The 25th General Assembly of the Azerbaijan Red The 25th General Assembly of the AzRC took place in Baku Crescent Society (AzRC) took place on the 28th of Culture Center named after Shahriyar. Deputy Prime February 2018 in Culture Center named after Shahriyar Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan and a chairman of in Baku city. the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Displaced Persons Mr. Ali Hasanov, Deputy Chief of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration’s Public and Political Issues Department Mr. Arastun Mehdiyev, state and government representatives, and members of the AzRC attended the General Assembly. Organizational issues were reviewed and a revised Statute of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society was adopted by the General Assembly. Presidium, Secretariat and Vote Counting Commission of the General Assembly were elected as well. President and Vice-Presidents of the AzRC were elected by secret ballot. By the decision of the General Assembly annual membership fee for members of the AzRC has been increased to 6 AzN. 3. All Regional Centers of the AzRC held their zonal In the months of March and August 2018, Baku and meetings. Sumgayit Regional Centers of the AzRC held their zonal meetings. Coordinators of all Regional Centers and chairpersons of city and district committees of the AzRC attended zonal meetings where they were recommended to increase number of members of the National Society, respond timely to applications on humanitarian assistance received from vulnerable people and conduct humanitarian actions at local level. 4. During the reporting period Baku and Sumgayit During quarterly meetings chairpersons of local branches Regional Centers held their quarterly meetings where covered by Baku and Sumgayit Regional Centers reported they reviewed outcomes of activities carried out by on progress and problems in their activities. Relevant tasks quarters. and recommendations were given to chairpersons. 5. During the reporting period staff of the Department for During the reporting period staff of the Department for the the Work with Regional Centers and local branches of Work with Regional Centers and local branches of the the AzRC met regularly with coordinators of the AzRC has had quarterly meetings with coordinators of all Regional Centers of the AzRC. Regional Centers where coordinators reported on contacts that they keep with relevant local branches and problems that local branches of the National Society face to in their activities and a level of the established relations with local executive authorities. Chairpersons of the concerned local branches were tasked with paying particular attention to their daily organizational works. 6. During the reporting period dozens of letters were Over 50 letters were issued by the National Society to heads issued by the National Society to heads of district of district executive authorities where they were requested executive authorities to assist the National