2018 Emergency Response Workshop
February 1, 2019
From 23-25 January 2019, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) and its Partner National Societies held a workshop on reviewing the implementation of the 2018 emergency response and establishing a common understanding on the roles and responsibilities of both parties towards carrying out the 2019 plan.
In 2018, ERCS delivered emergency support to 750,922 beneficiaries in food/nutrition, shelter and non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene, livelihood and emergency health to a total value of 108,729,683 birr.
However, security problems in operational regions, limited resource mobilization, lack of contingency emergency stock and funding, and poor logistics capacity particularly lack of heavy trucks to transport relief materials on time, were some of the challenges faced in delivering emergency aid in 2018.
Mr. Engida Mandefro, Deputy Secretary General (DSG) for Disaster Risk Management of ERCS remarked that the National Society, ERCS branch offices, Partner National Societies and non-movement organizations need to work together to serve the community in emergency responses by generating resources. The DSG also stressed that the Society has now developed a response plan where each partner can identify areas where its activities can fit into the direction of the Society.
Mr. Jean-Pierre Taschereau, Senior Advisor for Emergency Management of Canadian Red Cross and Mr. Peter Rothe Schults, Senior Disaster Management Humanitarian Advisor of Danish Red Cross, thanked participants of the workshop for finding ways in helping people. They appreciated the 2018 emergency response plan performance of the Society, and said that they will work in collaboration with the Society based on its priority and direction.
Participants of the workshop have discussed the strength, obstacles, aspirations and results related to timely response, resource mobilization, analysis and plan, operational capacity and procurement for emergency performance of 2018. They have also discussed on measures that should be taken to solve challenges in these areas in 2019 response plan.