In separate briefing sessions held in Dakar on June 16 and Abidjan on June 18, the IDRL programme shared ideas with senior staff of the National Red Cross Societies of Senegal (SRCS) and Côte d’Ivoire (CIRCS) on means to achieve implementation of the IDRL Guidelines in their countries.
“Senegal has not had any recent disasters requiring international assistance,” noted Senegal Red Cross Society Secretary-General Adama Kamara, “But it is our responsibility to prepare in case we do.”
He affirmed that the SRCS would soon make preliminary contacts about the IDRL Guidelines with the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs and indicated that an upcoming seminar on disaster contingency plans would be an additional opportunity to raise the issue.
In Abidjan, CIRCS National Coordinator of Community Health Nioulé Leonard noted that his society worked closely with civil protection authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including during the consultation process for developing the Guidelines.
He pointed out that the CIRCS was currently participating in a working group with the civil protection authorities to examine national disaster preparation and response policies, and the CIRCS would raise implementation of the IDRL Guidelines to its attention.
CIRCS National Coordinator for Principles and Values Diabi Boubacar underlined that success with the Guidelines would require active promotion and dissemination by both the Federation and the National Society to ensure that they enter the national dialogue.