Promoting humanitarian solutions, answering to the needs of migrant populations, and supporting its government to prepare and respond to disasters – it is clear that Costa Rica Red Cross is an instrumental player in the humanitarian sphere.
Costa Rica Red Cross continues to harness its unique auxiliary role and the responsibilities that come with being a leading local actor in the humanitarian field. To identify how best to continue their great work in this area, the Governing Board, National Council and regional Presidents of Costa Rica Red Cross gathered in January 2017 to discuss and reflect on their mandate and auxiliary function. As a result, a new plan of action and strategy were developed, with the view to strengthen ongoing collaboration with government bodies, and to develop stronger disaster laws which serve the most vulnerable. This will include creating a specialized multidisciplinary task force responsible to facilitate peer-to-peer learning on disaster law among Costa Rica Red Cross branches, and sister National Societies in the region.
As an auxiliary to public authorities for over 95 years, the important role of Costa Rica Red Cross has also been reaffirmed through its membership of key national bodies, such as ‘CATAI’, the coordination working group of Civil Protection. This body is responsible for preparing for future disasters, including the development of legal frameworks to facilitate and regulate international disaster assistance. Through its membership of national bodies like CATAI, Costa Rica Red Cross is able to promote the role of the National Society as a first responder, and also contribute to discussions about disaster-related law and policy development – emphasising its role at both the policy and operational level.
“We need to educate and reinforce the knowledge of our membership regarding the role that Costa Rica Red Cross plays as a humanitarian institution”, stated Costa Rica Red Cross President, Glauco Quesada. “We have now developed the tools necessary to promote a better approach to civil society, the different stakeholders and decision makers, and work actively in the fulfilment of our humanitarian mandate”.