Caroline Hancock-Ebner
Programme Officer
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
Domain Humanitarian Aid and SHA / Multilateral Humanitarian Affairs Division
caroline.hancock-ebner@eda.admin.ch
Yes
-Switzerland/Humanitarian Aid has close, constructive and regular contacts on all levels with the RCRC Movement, ICRC, IFRC and SRC.
-Strengthening the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement response is a priority for Switzerland and is brought forward continuously in many multilateral debates and events.
-This topic is mentioned explicitly in the newly negotiated MoU signed by Switzerland (FDFA) and the ICRC.
-Switzerland, the IFRC and the SRC have signed for the first time in history a MoU (end of 2016). Collaboration and Coordination around three topics are at the centre of the MoU to help to strengthen the Movement: 1) DRR 2) organisational development of National Societies 3) Health
-The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference is central to the governance of the Movement and its relationship to the Member States. Traditionally, Switzerland contributes financially to the Conference, puts at disposition an Ambassador as a Commissioner and offers Conference locality. Switzerland follows closely the preparation to the Conference and offers support and expertise where necessary for a successful conference.
-Switzerland believes in strong National Societies and their crucial role as first responders. Switzerland has initiated together with the IFRC and the ICRC the National Society Investment Mechanism (NSIM), meant to help to strengthen weaker National Societies. Switzerland financial contribution has served to develop the concept around the mechanism. The Mechanism is managed by the ICRC and the IFRC. The NSIM will be launched by IFRC and the ICRC at the ECOSOC HAS Side event 21-23. June 2017 in Geneva.
