Benin: West Africa appeal No. 01.01/2002 programme update No. 1

Appeal Target: CHF 7,342,916
Period covered: January -March, 2002
"At a Glance"

Outstanding needs: CHF 6,209,344
Related Appeals: N/A
Appeal coverage: 15.4%

Update: Out of a budget of CHF 7,342,916, only CHF 1,136,411 has been contributed, and more funding is required for the West Africa regional delegation to pursue its planned programs in the Appeal 2002.

Operational Developments:

During the first quarter, some West African countries have demonstrated some positive indicators, particularly in Sierra Leone, where the process of reconstruction and reconciliation continues forward after many years of civil war. However, others continue to remain vulnerable to natural or man-made disasters such as Liberia, Nigeria, Mauritania and Senegal during this reporting period.

Since January, as a result of the peace process over 30,000 Sierra Leone refugees have returned home through the UNHCR/IOM weekly repatriation program. The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) continues to provide assistance to returnees at the port in Freetown. Voter registration for the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for May took place without incident. Over 46,000 former fighters have been disarmed and reintegrated within mainstream society. UNHCR recorded over 7,400 Sierra Leonean refugees from Liberia having returned home on their own since early February.

In late January, a munitions explosion in Nigeria's capital Lagos displaced an estimated 15,000-20,000 residents killing over 600. The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) was a major player in helping those that were left homeless or separated from friends and family. Concomitantly, in early February over 2,000 people in Nigeria were displaced during four-days of ethnic clashes in Lagos between Yorubas and Hausas. The displaced were evacuated to camps for the displaced set up in the city by the Nigerian Red Cross and the National Emergency Management Agency. Another ethnic clash between the Apiapum and Ufato communities of Cross River State over the ownership of agricultural land claimed 40 lives. Some 1.1 million rural dwellers in Borno state of northeastern Nigeria remain at risk of contracting onchocerciasis (river Blindness). Over 480,000 have been infected with the disease.

In Senegal, heavy off-season rains affected over 100,000 people killing 28 individuals, 105,471 heads of livestock and destroying 13,993 homes and 581 hectares of crops. In collaboration with other agencies, the Senegalese Red Cross brought emergency assistance to the victims in form of food and nonfood items. Similarly, neighboring Mauritania experienced torrential rains accompanied by a cold snap in the regions of Brakna, Trarza and Gorgol in January affecting 37,000 people, killing 30, destroying 1,732 houses, and 110,244 heads of livestock. Mauritania Red Crescent assisted the government by providing emergency assistance to 30% of the victims.

An outbreak of meningitis was reported in Burkina Faso, WHO said. According to government estimates, out of 4,758 cases reported since January, 672 people have died. The epidemic is well entrenched in certain districts despite measures being taken by the ministry of health to combat the disease. The government is offering free vaccinations in the 13 worst hit districts while WHO promises to provide I million doses of vaccine. Of particular concern is the presence of meningococcal W135 which is not native to the region and for which very few people are vaccinated.

Burkina Faso Red Cross began preparing itself for a campaign commencing in early April.

In Liberia, UNHCR estimates that between 50,000 to 65,000 people have been displaced during renewed fighting between rebels and government forces in Lofa county in the north of Monrovia in January. By end of March, the Federation's institutional evaluation mission in eight communities bordering Liberia revealed over 2,500 registered refugees arriving since the onset of renewed hostilities in Liberia. Most of these are reported to have gone to Ghana. Some 10,000 have since fled from Liberia to Sierra Leone. Meanwhile, UNHCR has started a repatriation programme for Sierra Leone refugees in Liberia, arranging overland transportation, with 34,772 refugees on the repatriation list. Liberia Red Cross is providing 19,976 refugees in the IDP centres with humanitarian assistance in collaboration with ICRC. The assistance includes-shelter layout/construction, WATSAN facilities- wells and latrines, Medical-clinics (stationary and mobile), hygiene education, First Aid and provision of non food items such as utensils, blankets, soap, tarpaulin, buckets and mats.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Objective 1: Support West African National Societies of one sub region to improve their disaster management capacities so that they may then train the other National Societies of the Region.

The West Africa Disaster Preparedness Programme (WADDP) organized a workshop from 20-22 February in Abidjan for the 16 West African NSs. A report for the workshop has been sent to two NSs for their comments which will then be sent to all 16 national societies. The strategy for 2002 was shared and discussed at length during the workshop. New tools such as Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT), Emergency Response Unit (ERU), and Disaster Management and Information System (DMIS) were shared and the priorities for 2002 were established. Analysis of the NSs proposals for updating activity forecasts is in progress.

Documents on best practices with refugees and displaced persons have been sent to NSs in the region and at the request of some Francophone NSs in the region, a basic guideline for volunteers concerning the management of refugees was developed by the delegation. Two national societies have registered with DMIS. The WADPP sent three participants from Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, respectively to the FACT workshop led by DMC in Addis-Ababa. Two of the participants, transited through Abidjan and assisted the Regional DP delegate in drafting a programme for the DP workshop. They also discussed the DP 2002 appeal and the WADP objectives for this year.

The WADPP review report held in July/August 2001 has been received and will soon be shared with Francophone NSs in the region.

Objective 2: Support West African Societies of one sub-region expand food security activities so that they may then train the other National Societies of the Region.

The conditions for partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) are being explored. Discussions are still ongoing for the preparation of operational terms of reference and a plan of action. The delegation Food Security Programme Officer defined and shared guidelines during the DP workshop in Abidjan. Propositions and suggestions are being collected from NSs and other organisations to define criteria to select three NSs with which to start food security activities.

The delegation assisted Mauritania Red Crescent and the Senegalese Red Cross in developing food security programmes in the areas affected by the floods in January. The Finance Development delegate from the sub-regional office is currently supporting Guinea Bissau Red Cross in instituting good management procedures for micro projects initiated following the pilot VCA. A meeting is being planned between the NSs in the sub region on the harmonisation of activities and the use of the Action Learning model newly created at the Disaster Management Coordination (DMC) level of the Secretariat.

Objective 3: Give sufficient organisational reform in the LRCS, support to continue their engagement in small-scale food security projects enabling branch development.

This project has not yet begun due to lack of funding.

Objective 4: To support National Societies to complete and/or initiate Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment activities' in order to enable them to define programmes aimed at meeting identified needs of the vulnerable.

The DP Delegate contacted the Regional DP Delegates of Nairobi, Harare and DP Department in Geneva to exchange and share experiences on this project. The ToR was drafted during the DP workshop.

Funding is soon expected to start planned VCA activities with the Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross.

A follow up for the national VCA is in progress to enable Guinea Bissau to continue this activity. The DP delegate in Guinea Conakry will participate during the realization of this activity. The result will enable the NS to develop their institutional structure both at national and branch levels (training of new first aiders, contingency plan, etc.) In the same manner, the reorientation towards the community will enable them to initiate new micro-projects.

Guinea Bissau Red Cross will soon complete its VCA in collaboration with the present regional DP delegate .

Objective 5: Support development of Regional Response Teams (RRTs) to be able to intervene when a West African National Society capacity is exceeded on the basis of an agreed Terms of Reference.

The terms of reference (ToR) for the Regional Response Team have been drafted by the DP Regional Delegate and are awaiting amendments from the NS representatives who attended the February 2002 workshop. The ToR were discussed and submitted to six NSs during the workshop for remarks. The final version is being revised and will be translated into English upon completion.

Objective 6: Create a West Africa Disaster Management Information System (WADMIS) - a regional disaster database accessible through a West Africa Federation website.

This project has not yet started due to lack of funding although some data on hazards in various countries is being collected.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Support was given to the Cote d'Ivoire Red Cross in the creation of a specific contingency plan to address the arrival of refugees from Liberia. An institutional evaluation mission is in progress in eight communities bordering Liberia to help put in place a plan that will be integrated into the government plan in cooperation with other humanitarian organizations like UNHCR, WFP, MSF, Caritas and Save the children.

Health and Care

Primary Health Care

Objective 1: Support West African National Societies of one sub-region to improve their ARCHI 2010 capacities by developing, strengthening and improving volunteer networks, community capacity and preparedness, so that they may then train the other national societies of the region.

Operational planning to define the health priorities and capacity of group 1 countries to develop ARCHI 2010 (Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde) is in progress. It was recommended that these countries should proceed by adapting ARCHI technical forms when putting in place training modules. Burkina Faso received 20,000 CHF from the Federation for the management of community based ARCHI activities based on the health priorities in the six provinces of Kadiogo, Yatinga, Soum, Kouritinga, Komoe et Houet. Although they are considered as being the most vulnerable they have well organized local committees.

Supported by the Swiss Red Cross, display case prototypes on primary health awareness topics such as vaccination, sanitation and hygiene, malaria, nutrition and mother/child health have been pre-tested in Lomé. Follow-up activities on children's vaccinations are continuing in two local branches with 50 Community-Based First Aid workers (CBFAs). Plans have been developed for the construction of latrines in Kpalimé. The local community has taken the necessary steps to acquire the land for the latrines. On reception of the next tranche of funding the NS will start implementing the plan of action. Contacts and discussions with Population Services International (PSI) have been ongoing since August 2001 with the aim of getting stocks of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) from them.

The regional delegation participated in the Global African Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) meeting held on 28 January 2002. The participation and involvement of the Federation in the social mobilization and diseases control sub-working group was confirmed. There was great satisfaction expressed by health authorities regarding the participation of the volunteers in the measles campaign and was used as a focal point in the discussions. Recommendations were made to reinforce coordination by National Societies in terms of social mobilization.

ARCHI tool kits for volunteers were distributed among 15 NSs. Activities for ARCHI Togo 2010 have been scaled down, a new plan of action was adopted and activities have been reinitiated.

Objective 2: Enable, encourage and support national societies in the region to target vulnerable communities and provide them with the means of improving their health and life through the establishment of new or improved water and sanitation activities.

This objective was not focused on due to lack of funds.

Objective 3: Promote regional standards in training and best practices for First Aid. This will be aligned with the Global First Aid.

Mannequins and stretchers were purchased and first aid training was given to strengthen the capacity of Burkina Red Cross .

The Regional delegation gave technical support to Ghana and Togo Red Cross to establish a plan of action for 2002. The Regional delegation is planning to organize first aid training for delegation personnel.

MEASLES

Although this is not an Appeal project, the delegation measles consultant completed the final narrative report on the measles mass vaccination campaign funded by the American Red Cross in five National Societies, namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali and Ghana. This project ended in February. Regional Measles Coordinators attended an EPI managers meeting in Lome in March together with the Delegation health coordinators from Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo. The aim of the meeting was to demonstrate the Red Cross contribution to the measles mass campaign and to reinforce partnerships. Ghana was presented as a case study.

HIV/AIDS

Objective 1: Improve knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease infection and prevention while promoting responsible sexual behaviour.

In keeping with the objectives of the HIV/AIDS regional program to develop a policy on HIV/AIDS in the workplace, the first part of the quarter was spent on planning for a workshop on 'HIV/AIDS awareness at the workplace' targeting all regional delegation staff. Thirty five staff members of the Regional delegation participated in two separate HIV/AIDS sensitization workshops facilitated by HOPE Worldwide, Côte d'Ivoire. The overall objective of the workshops was to educate and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS-related issues among the staff to strengthen the capacity of the Regional delegation in dealing with the current HIV/AIDS epidemic and ultimately putting in place an HIV/AIDS policy in the workplace by the end of 2002. At the end of the workshops, sixteen people volunteered to be part of a committee whose role will be to devise the HIV/AIDS programme and policy for the Regional Delegation.

The Health Coordinator of the Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross, who is a member of the Regional Health Surveillance Team, has been assisting the Health Department in compiling key HIV/AIDS-related information on existing facilities in Abidjan regarding voluntary counseling and testing sites, psycho social support groups, associations of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PLHA), etc.

Objective 2: Increase safe blood transfusion and strengthen blood donation services by increasing the number of non-remunerated blood donors and the quantity of safe blood.

This objective was not focused on due to lack of funding.

Objective 3: To increase care and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families.

This objective was not focused on due to lack of funding.

Objective 4: Strengthen the capacity of the Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies in implementing their HIV/AIDS country plans through targeted support.

Funds have recently been approved by the Swedish Red Cross for the Benin and Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross Societies' HIV/AIDS projects to cover the implementation of activities up to the end of April 2002. The preparation process of the memorandum of project and operational plan and budget for the respective countries, covering the three-month period is in process. The Regional HIV/AIDS Coordinator traveled to Benin to assist with this process. The target implementation start date for the respective projects is February 2002. The memoranda of project understanding for the Benin and Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross societies HIV/AIDS projects have been signed. After receiving the initial funds, Benin and Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross have now begun activities towards implementing their HIV/AIDS country plans. The Benin Red Cross will be focusing on one zone, while the Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross will be focusing on four towns.

Ghana has received its initial allocation of funds (50,000 CHF), for the implementation of its HIV/AIDS project activities.

The Togolese Red Cross achieved the following activities by March end:

• Review of educational materials;
• Collection of existing educational materials and kits produced by other organizations;
• Leading a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) baseline survey on HIV/AIDS in the communities concerned;
• Identification of peer educator animators to train;
• Production of T-shirts and kits for volunteers;
• Identification of peer counselors for home-based care visits of PLWHA;
• Identification of widows/orphans who are HIV-positive;
• Sensitization of religious groups regarding HIV/AIDS.

More details about their activities can be found in their January-March activity report, 2002.

The Ghana Red Cross HIV/AIDS activities are also underway with the appointment of an HIV/AIDS Project Officer and identification and selection of Peer Educators in the regions concerned.

The Federation health retreat was held from March 18-22, 2002, in Geneva. The overall objective of the retreat was to provide an opportunity for colleagues in the health and HIV/AIDS field to network, share experiences and discuss some of the challenges confronting the Red Cross (RC) in health and care, while attempting to address the following issues:

• Improving health programming and coordination with different RC actors and programmes;
• Improving programme implementation while striking the right balance between verticalization and integration;
• Use of partnerships for greater impact;
• Improving 'team work' for greater impact on global public health issues.

Objective 1: Encourage national societies to improve knowledge about legal instruments and the international framework, to promote the development of a legal base in their countries and to clarify their role within the system of assistance.

A reach-out workshop for French speaking NSs around Senegal was planned for 9-12 April 2002 in Dakar to be organized by the "Office Africain pour le Développement et la Coopération.. The NSs of Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal were identified as possible participants and were facilitated in this regard.

Objective 2: Support national societies in having well-trained staff that is aware of problems and issues arising from migration and population movement, able to start concrete activities on behalf of the most vulnerable, familiar with methods for trainer training, and able to consider conflict negotiation and peace building between the different populations.

A ten-day mission to Mali was undertaken to prepare for the reach-out workshop. Intensive discussions about current migration trends in the region showed that the workshop's agenda must cover the situation of vulnerable children and adolescents. The workshop will therefore focus on child trafficking and exploitation, street children and school drop outs. The aim is to enable participants to start actions and advocacy in the villages where child exploitation and trafficking take place. However, due to poor funding , this workshop has been put on hold.

The peer educators among street children continue their sensitization activities in Abidjan in relation to HIV/AIDS and STDs. Their superb performances continue to attract big crowds. The authorities and the media were invited to an official ceremony at Abidjan's Cocody district. This ceremony was meant to help in awareness creation and funding . The coordinator of the Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross plans to integrate skills demonstrated by the Peer Educators within the ACRED project. For instance, peer educators will teach reading and writing.

Objective 3: Support national societies in working together to avoid parallel structures in other programmes for the same target groups and with similar objectives, such as disaster response and preparedness, and health and organizational development programmes

A Better Programming Initiative Workshop in Abidjan involving all operational departments of the RD was being planned but had to be suspended due to lack of funding.

Objective 4: Support national societies' self-reliance in population movement issues and well-assessed programmes, such as emergencies and long-term programmes, by the use of regional networking within the Movement and with outside partners.

The possibility of using sports in development projects was discussed during the visit of a Swiss government representative to Abidjan. Following this visit, the local committee in Guiglo accepted that sports can prove useful in the local integration of Liberian Refugees at the zone d'acceuil. The Institute is ready to start a cooperation with the Swiss counterpart.

Following the HIV/AIDS sensitization and peer education training of street children leaders the children did their first public action in Abidjan in January during which they informed their peers on HIV/AIDS through singing and rapping. The performance was accompanied by a picture exhibition with direct prevention messages.

There were no activities in the last month due to lack of funding but the Head of Migration Department from the Swiss Red Cross visited Abidjan for one week and discussions were held about the funding situation of the PM program and the possible closing of the program.

Organizational Development

Objective 1: Provide technical assistance to national societies in (self) assessment, planning, implementation, communication and knowledge sharing, and evaluation and reassessment.

Côte d'Ivoire: The Regional Delegation supported the Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross in preparations, and funding for their General Assembly which took place on March 21-22. A new president, Madame Coulibaly, was elected and revisions to the statutes were adopted. At the request of the Secretary General, the Regional Delegation sought authorization from the Secretariat to add Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross to the list of countries prioritized for the Self Evaluation process. This process will be followed by a Strategic Development Plan, and eventually lead to the Cooperation Agreement Strategy (CAS). The SG is fully committed to the process, and is putting together a task force and time line. The NS has prepared an interim budget to cover the period during which the Development Plan and CAS are being prepared. This budget is under review by the Regional Delegation.

Ghana: A Federation consultant worked with the Regional OD delegate to complete the analysis of the Ghana Self Evaluation. He then traveled to Ghana (February 23 to March 2) to present the conclusions of the analysis and to begin discussions with the Ghana Red Cross on the CAS Process. Good working relationships were established with the Swiss Red Cross bilateral delegate and the Secretary General of the Ghana Red Cross. A working plan to develop the CAS process was agreed upon which will be facilitated by the Swiss Red Cross delegate and regional OD delegate. The consultant made a recommendation of 6,520 CHF Federation support to the CAS process. An invitation has been extended for the Swiss bilateral delegate to attend the OD forum in Geneva in April. This should facilitate work on CAS and help to strength bilateral relations in the Region. The Ghana Red Cross filed an application for the Shoken Fund which was reviewed by the Federations technical team and forwarded it to Geneva.

Guinea Bissau: A coordination meeting was held with concerned parties (OD, HoRD, Finance, PC, DP) to discuss how to proceed with Guinea Bissau and the remaining CHF 27,000 from the Swedish Red Cross (SRC) project. The decision was taken to suspend all program and consultative activities, and request permission from SRC to use the funds to hire a full-time consultant to be based in the country for three to four months. The focus would be the completion of SRC development project and initiating the CAS process (evaluation and development plan inclusive). Contact has been made with Spanish Red Cross bilateral delegate who arrived in Guinea Bissau in March on a four month mission to develop a strategic plan between Spanish Red Cross and the Guinea Bissau Red Cross. The Regional delegation will try and collaborate the bilateral delegate in the eventual production of a CAS for Guinea Bissau.

Togo: OD department established contact with German Red Cross delegate in Togo and sent CAS information to her. The French bilateral delegate who is on a one-month assessment mission in Togo passed through Abidjan and was introduced to the CAS process as well in hopes that the GRC and FRC can both collaborate to assist the Togo Red Cross with their CAS .

Niger: Self Evaluation Analysis has been completed and will be sent to Niger for final confirmation by the NS.

Nigeria: Nigeria Delegation's OD Delegate, who will eventually be assigned to cover OD for the Lagos Sub Region, visited the Regional Delegation for a 3-day briefing on OD and the Regionalization process. Constructive discussions were held with HoRD and Regional OD delegate during which several key issues were resolved. Additionally a schedule for the opening of Sub-Regional Offices was established; as well as basic expectations established for the Working Groups and their operational budgets were developed;

Final Draft of Terms of Reference for the Sub-Regional Working Groups was completed and sent out to all West African National Societies for comments.

Regional OD presented "Characteristics of a Well Functioning Society" to representatives of all 16 West Africa National Societies during a DP workshop in February. The aim was to enable participants examine and evaluate the characteristics of their own NSs.

Final preparations were underway for a West African Regional Workshop on Volunteer Management scheduled for 17-20 March, however, due to financial constraints at the Secretariat level, the workshop has been indefinitely postponed.

Objective 2: Support national societies in establishing efficient financial management systems and resource development.

A new Finance and Resource Development (FDRD) Delegate arrived in January. After a three week briefing in Abidjan preliminary objectives and budgets were established, the delegate is now based in Dakar focusing on the seven countries in that sub-region : Cape Verde, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Gambia, and Burkina Faso.

The FDRD delegate held meetings with the Gambian Red Cross Society and the Senegal Red Cross in order to :

• Review the accounting practices and systems; current financial rules, procedures and controls; banking and cash management regulations; reporting and budget control functions.
• Review the division of responsibility with regard to financial management between finance staff and programme staff.
• Assess the current skills of finance and resource development staff.
• Analyze current strengths and weaknesses in fundraising and resource development plans.
• Promote improved financial management controls and mechanisms.

A financial procedural manual is being developed and contact has been made with French Red Cross bilateral regional delegate to work on this manual.

Preparation began for the first Sub Regional Working Group meeting to take place in June in Dakar. A Plan of Action has been developed which will be submitted to the Sub Regional working Groups for comments.

Objective 3: Provide technical support to national societies to enhance communications and information sharing in coordination with ICRC.

A presentation was made during the DPP seminar held in Abidjan. Participants were made aware of the importance of their role as key information providers during disasters and their responsibility to feed this information to the RD. The emergency appeal process was also explained to reinforce their understanding of their role as key information providers. They were encouraged to collaborate closely with their NS's info officer.

The all-Africa HOD meeting in February was covered and a short article was written for ifrc.org.

In collaboration with Delegation reporting, the information department prepared four information bulletins for the munitions depot explosions in Nigeria, the floods in Mauritania and Senegal, and a meningitis epidemic in Burkina Faso.

The Information department wrote three articles on the relief efforts of the Nigerian Red Cross in relation to armory explosions and ethnic clashes in Lagos which have been posted on the Federation web site, one co-authored with the information officer of the NRCS. An additional article was also written on the new NS president and his acts of heroism during ethnic fighting in the capital. A press release was written on the appeal for victims of Lagos explosion and was posted on the Federation website. It was also sent to the local, regional and international press. Radio interviews were given to Radio France Internationale and the Christian Broadcasting Network. Two articles regarding the disaster in Nigerian were also written and published for Federation News.

With information gathered from information officers of Mali, Benin, Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso, three articles on measles have been written and posted on the Federation web site as well as on the AmCross web site.

Upon the encouragement of the regional information team, the Information Officer of the Sierra Leone Red Cross wrote an article on a watsan project in line with World Water Day which has since been posted.

An article on an elderly volunteer was co-authored with the information officer from Ghana and will be posted in line with the International Conference on Aging in April.

An article on the Peer Educators project initiated by the Population Movement department and the Cote d'Ivoire Red Cross was written and posted on the web.

With the participation of the NS Press Officer, the Annual General Meeting of Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross was covered, its past president was interviewed and an article was written highlighting her forty years of service in the Red Cross Movement.

With the assistance of the Secretariat a set of Seven Fundamental Principles posters commissioned by the RD have been sent to the Red Cross museum in Italy where they will be put on display.

Field trips and two concerts were organized for the visit of two producers and the audio visual officer from Geneva. The purpose of their mission was to document the activities of the Peer Educators and a Red Cross artistic group as part of a ten minute video on youth and the Federation's HIV/AIDs anti-stigma campaign for 8 May. The video will be distributed to all NSs and will be shown at the UNGASS meeting in New York. The footage will also be used in a 43 minute documentary. The NS press officer was involved and helped organize events throughout the producer's mission.

Programme managers were encouraged to allocate a portion of their activity budgets (i.e. Emergency Appeal) for information/media coverage. NS information officers are regularly contacted, and their contact list has been updated. They have been encouraged to submit articles regularly. A policy of co-authoring articles as a training method for those who require it has been instituted.

Objective 4: Support organizational change within the LNRCS, enabling better delivery of relevant services to the most vulnerable.

Federation consultant spent six days (Jan. 10 to 16) with the NS in Liberia on a technical assessment mission. The purpose of his visit was to begin the process of assisting the NS to conduct a self evaluation leading to a Strategic Development Plan and CAS. A project plan is now in place and a follow-up visit to assist with the implementation is scheduled for mid-April to mid-June. The Self Evaluation has been prioritized for Liberia via the Secretariat, in addition to the CAS. Shoken Fund application was reviewed by Federation technical team and forwarded to Geneva.

Regional Cooperation

Objective 1: Support national society sub-regional cooperation and information exchange

Terms of Reference for the sub-regional, sectoral and regional working groups for West Africa have been drafted based on the conclusions of the Presidents' meeting in Abidjan 2001 and on the remarks received from the first draft. The level of interest and the variety of comments received to the first draft led the Regional Delegation to propose a one-day meeting of Presidents scheduled for 16 April to finalize the ToRs and thus enable the initial sub-regional meetings to be scheduled.

While it may appear significant resources are being dedicated to the ToRs for the regional groups, the debate surrounding the new structure and application of the groups is central to the Regional Delegation's role in better serving Federation membership in West Africa, in enabling National Societies' to communicate their views priorities and input to the overall work of the Movement in the region. These regional groups will also enable the Secretariat, through its regional delegation, to communicate global International Federation and Secretariat policies and strategies in a way that makes most sense for the national societies.

The overall objective from the Regional Delegation side remains better support to National Society capacity-building; improved coordination of the collective Federation's disaster response and core area programme input; better integration of Secretariat initiatives at the sub-regional and country level planning and strategy, increase use of regional resources and, most important, bridge the gap between national societies and their Federation secretariat.

Nigeria OD delegate visited the Regional delegation for a three-day briefing on OD and the Regionalization process. Constructive discussions were held with the HoRD and the Regional OD delegate during which several outstanding issues were resolved. Schedule for opening of sub-regional offices was established as follows: Dakar: April; Lagos: May; Abidjan: June. In addition, an initial operation budget for the Sub Regional Working Groups has been drafted along with guidelines, which will be shared with concerned parties in the near future.

Between January and February Dakar sub-regional office began the process of getting their Headquarters agreement and recruiting personnel. After two meetings with the Ministry of Foreign affairs, the agreement is being circulated for remarks.

Financial report for March is in process and recruitment process finalized. A working session was held on March 27 with the head of regional delegation on the regionalization process as well as current programs and activities. Request for the capacity development of Malian Red Cross has been finalized and sent to Geneva

Contacts and follow-up were made with the NS in the sub-region to collect information on ARCHI 2010 experiences currently used by volunteers in the prevention of epidemics and disaster response. Planning for the execution of activities will be established after collecting experiences from the NSs in the sub-region.

Fifteen volunteers of the Senegalese Red Cross participated in the distribution of food items during the recent floods in Senegal. The sub-regional office sent community first aid brochures developed by the Senegalese Red Cross to the other NS in the sub-region. The sub-regional office together with Senegalese Red Cross participated at a recent UNICEF meeting on March 20 to discuss the nutritional assistance programme for children in northern Senegal.

Preparations to hold the first sub-regional meeting and establishing sectoral working groups is underway. The program and budget have been submitted to the regional delegation for approval. The sub-regional office together with Senegalese Red Cross participated at a recent UNICEF meeting on March 20 to discuss the nutritional assistance programme for children in northern Senegal.

Objective 2: Support human resource development and deployment in West Africa

The main focus for the first month was processing applications for the position of delegates. An application from the Senegalese Red Cross Society was recommended to the Federal secretariat. In addition, lists of open positions published by the Federation were sent to National societies for dissemination. The delegation received an application from Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross for the position of a Delegate at the Federation. The application was processed and will be transmitted to the Human Resource Department in Geneva. Furthermore, the list of open positions have been transmitted to the National Societies.

Coordination and Management

Delegation Management

Objective 1: Improve Regional delegation management and coordination

Delegation management in the first quarter of 2002 was focussed on matching budgets to revenue and, with the Regional Finance Unit, assuring expenditure was contained within the income available at this time. Regrettably, funding levels for 2002 are very low end of first quarter. This was accomplished successfully, however income remains a problem. The West Africa Regional Appeal amounts to CHF 7.3 million for 2002 (if we do not include the HIV/AIDS portion, the amount appealed for is CHF 5.2 million CHF) Towards end of current reporting period around CHF 1.2 had been received in funding or pledges, which will obviously not enable substantial movement towards Regional Delegation objectives in supporting the national societies in West Africa.

Reporting

Objectives 2: Provide timely reporting according to federation standards

The annual report for the regional delegation and the finalized DFID report for the second quarter of last year were completed.

Regional reporting officer had a familiarization and needs assessment mission to the Sierra Leone delegation and the SLRCS.

Senegalese Red Cross, Mauritania Red Crescent as well as the Nigeria Red Cross received help from regional reporting in the preparation of Emergency Appeals and Information Bulletins, in collaboration with the Information Department.

The Lagos delegation received assistance in preparing their annual report, DFID Relief report and Operation Updates for the munition explosion. Sierra Leone and Guinea delegations were equally assisted through editing the first and final drafts of their Annual Report. The Regional Delegation received assistance in preparing monthly reports, which now includes those of the Dakar sub-regional office.

Finance

Objectives 3: Improve accounting and financial management performed by Federation financial regulations and procedures.

Feedback on the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the RFU and that of cash request are expected from the Head, Operations Accounting and Development Unit, Geneva. RFU has continued to roll in monthly processing of accounts for the WA delegation including Nigeria, Liberia and also started to run checks on CODA delegations, although this process is not yet working well. Timeliness and accuracy of accounting and financial reporting in the region is generally improving. Project balances in the country delegations are generally positive, with the exception of Liberia where the deficit is coming down.

All FRT accounts and cash requests for supported delegations in West Africa were processed and submitted on time to the secretariat for approval. Ongoing support has been given to supported delegations on matters related to maintenance of Federation financial systems.

Objective 4: Institute knowledge management services supporting Federation work in core areas with special attention to volunteer management.

Project not started - no start date has been fixed as yet.

Objective 5: Provide support for the achievement of the Federation's objectives for 2002 and 2003 in Liberia by efficient and cost effective management.

Office in Liberia is maintained but planning would see its closure early in the second quarter. Federation support will be provided through the Liberian National Red Cross Society and assets currently within the Federation office in Monrovia would become available to the LNRCS.

Outstanding needs

At the end of the reporting period, only CHF 1,137,071 out of a budget of CHF 7,342,916 has been raised. This means that more funding is required for the West Africa Regional delegation to pursue its planned programs in the Appeal 2002.

For further details please contact: Anne Kirsti Vartdal, Phone: 41 22 730 4485; Fax: 41 22 733 0395; e-mail: vartdal@ifrc.org.

All International Federation Operations seek to adhere to the Code of Conduct and are committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (SPHERE Project) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For further information concerning Federation operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation website at http://www.ifrc.org.

Bekele Geleta
Head
Africa Department

John Horekens
Head
Relationship Management Department

Annex 1