IPE April – May 2017

Nominations for the 2017 “Youth on the move” and “Volunteering Development” awards are now open

Call for nominations for the 2017 “Youth on the move” and “Volunteering Development” awards are now open. The Youth on the move Award recognises and promotes good practices and new initiatives that further volunteering and youth action in order to address humanitarian needs. The Volunteering Development Award celebrates the diversity of volunteers in National Societies; the impact of volunteers in addressing emergencies and local vulnerabilities; and the use of innovative approaches in addressing current and emerging humanitarian challenges. The awards will be presented at the General Assembly in November. Further details on both awards (including application forms) can be found at this link.

Youth Volunteer Investment and Value Audit (VIVA) study

We are pleased to share with you the very first study for youth volunteering—capturing the economic and social value of our young volunteers and the impact youth engagement and youth-led initiatives bring. The Youth VIVA study is useful for advocacy, great learning and inspiration to generate critical ideas on how to engage the strength of youth for better grassroots engagement in National Societies/ programme, and enhance the power of positive collaboration with fellow young humanitarians.

New IFRC Global Review and Case Study Booklet on Child Friendly Spaces in Emergencies

IFRC launches new report and case studies on use of child friendly spaces in emergencies. The report includes a) the lessons learned review, b) summary of the lessons learned review, c) case study report, and d) poster.

Around the globe

Partners for Resilience Nicaragua – case studies

In Nicaragua we worked with an indigenous youth group and had sessions with them on climate change, ecosystem management, DRR, indigenous/local knowledge, and trained them on eco-tourism so they could become guides in their area. Two youth groups were trained in participatory videos and produced videos about some small-scale DRR projects (e.g. Natural resrve Manas Verde, Lake Las Sabanas) and also received a training in photography. They were also invited to see a selection of films about DRR issues followed by discussions.

Gender based violence in disasters: Myanmar Case Study

Considered to be one of the ‘most at risk countries,’ being prone to cyclones, earthquakes, and drought, Myanmar was chosen as a case study for the Unseen Unheard research. This case study on Myanmar looks at GBV occurrence and response after Cyclone Nargis in 2008. The results of this case study are conflicting with half the respondents citing an increase in GBV after the cyclone, while others claimed that it did not arise at all because of strong family and community-based support systems. As a follow up to the research, the Myanmar Red Cross Society is looking to improve its disaster response programming, especially in the area of gender sensitive relief distribution and safe shelter design, taking into consideration the often differing needs of men, boys, women and girls.

 

Youth Engagement in the Field of Drug Abuse – Kenya Red Cross

Youth who took part in a training course for youth on Substance Abuse held in Malindi, Kenya from 8^th to 12^th May 2017 established a Declaration on youth engagement for a new Humanitarian Drug Policy.

Violence Prevention and Response

Bangladesh Red Crescent protecting children on the move

“Humanitarian assistance is not just about food and medicine it is also about psychosocial support and protection.”

Sri Lanka Red Cross child protection activities in schools

Following the devastating December 26, 2004 Asian Tsunami, there were many needs facing survivors across Sri Lanka. Among these was the protection of children from all forms of violence.

 

Gender and Diversity

On 10 May, National Societies in Asia Pacific joined a webinar held by IFRC Gender & Diversity on how to develop a policy on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. This was the first of a series of similar webinars that aim to implement the International Conference resolution from 2015 regarding sexual and gender-based violence. The resolution called on all members of the RC RC Movement to adopt a zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.

 

Kenya Red Cross Society has been recognized by the Africa Public Relations Association (AFPRA) through the first-ever SABRE (Superior Achievement in Branding, Reputation and Engagement) Awards Africa, held from 10 to 12 May 2017 in Casablanca, Morocco.

Humanitarian Education

Humanity can be learned

Please join us on the exciting Project Humanity journey to learn more about your personal values and on how you can apply Humanitarian and Fundamental Principles in daily life, as Ernest Maruza from Zimbabwe Red Cross says “We learnt that Project Humanity translates Principles into Action, unlike the traditional way that we disseminate principles where all people can sing them but not translating them into observable action”. Log in as a teacher and you will find all the excellent resources on the Project Humanity online platform.

 

How humanitarian education initiatives impact on the ground?

The previous monthly humanitarian education webinar aimed to learn what key enablers are required from the ground level up in order to generate a robust communication channel that allows us to identify synergies between projects permitting seamless implementation on a global scale. Please find more info about the webinar on the HELP community.

Please save the date 21^st of June, 3pm CEST for the next humanitarian education webinar. We will share educational resources on “Health”.

 

Resources

New inter-agency handbook for working with unaccompanied and separated children

Separation from parents, relatives or usual caregivers is a devastating experience for children. Separated children are among the most vulnerable of all children affected by emergencies. Having lost the care and protection of their families and caregivers  just when they need them most, these girls and boys are at increased risk of physical and psychological harm, abduction, trafficking and unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces or armed groups, sexual abuse and exploitation, and permanent loss of identity. Moreover, they may be burdened with adult responsibilities far beyond their years. Indeed, it is vital that governments, child protection organizations and other protection actors work together to ensure that the most vulnerable children are protected.

 

New UNICEF report

New UNICEF report highlights 300,000 unaccompanied and separated children on the move worldwide.

 

What’s happening in 2017

We are glad to share with you a global calendar of Movement activities. Please update the calendar with regional or global events that your National Society is organizing.  We will be glad to promote the activities.