The President of the Danish Red Cross, and the Standing Commission Member Freddy Karup Pedersen and Secretary General Jorgen Poulsen arrived in Kathmandu on 9 August 2004 for a week long visit to Nepal Red Cross Society. During their stay in Nepal they observed various activities of the Nepal Red Cross. They also visited the Federation and the ICRC representatives and Danish Ambassador to Nepal.

The duo also visited outside districts to see Danish Red Cross supported community development programmes in Palpa district that was phased out some time ago. They also visited Syangja and Kaski en route Kathmandu. Secretary General of the Nepal Red Cross had accompanied the delegation.

After their return from the field, they expressed their satisfaction on the NRCS activities and appreciated the Society's acceptance in the present conflict situation of the country. Speaking at a programme President Pedersen and Secretary General Poulsen ensured that the Danish Red Cross would continue working with the NRCS for the benefit of the vulnerable people. In a brief interview with the Information Officer of the NRCS they further stated that the DRC would not walk out of the Nepal Red Cross in the present difficult situation of the country and the Nepal Red Cross. (See the full interview on page …..)

Question: You have just returned from the field visit. What impact of the Danish Red Cross supported programmes did you see in the communities?

President Pedersen: our impression was that they have successfully implemented a lot of activities with the elements of pure drinking water and sanitation, latrine construction, smokeless choolos [stoves], cleaning of villages and even small income generation schemes for women, and so on. Without any impact study, which is very difficult even in a project, all these things together are improving the health condition, especially of children reducing diarrhea, and may be respiratory diseases etc. Our impression was that they have succeeded in their work.

Question: The partnership between the Nepal Red Cross and the Danish Red Cross has had a long history. How have you found this relationship?

President Pedersen: We have found it very useful for both the parties. Our impression from Palpa, where we have just visited, is that the programme is also contributing to the organizational development. And it has benefited the people of Palpa and other places, too. We have taken some experiences with us and applied in projects with partners.

SG Poulsen: And also we have learnt a lot from the Nepal Red Cross. It would be fair to say that we are meeting a much stronger Nepal Red Cross than when we started in the eighties, and we are certainly not walking out of the Nepal Red Cross in this difficult time.

President Pedersen: One more thing, we are very happy to see very good relationship existing between the Nepal Red Cross and the ICRC and also with the Federation. The Seville agreement is working very well in Nepal. Nepal Red Cross is an example of the agreement's successful implementation. At the district level also the relationship is very good.

Question: Just as Mr. Secretary General mentioned, the Danish Red Cross will not walk out of the Nepal Red Cross. So, what are the priority areas of cooperation of the Danish Red Cross for partnership? I believe, we are working on primary health care……

President Pedersen: We have two priorities: health and disaster preparedness. They are main headings. They can be worked out in various ways. We will be continuing with community development programme combined with disaster preparedness programme.

Question: How do you foresee the prospect of Nepal Red Cross and Danish Red Cross partnership in the future?

SG Poulsen: You have to understand, we have still some linkages between the National Societies. The general agreement between my President and me as the Secretary General is that we will not walk out of the Neal Red Cross. We will indeed put our technical people to work with Nepal Red Cross to make real survey and what we can do and what we should do. Our focus is community role in disaster preparedness, and health. I foresee that we can continue at the minimum level we have done.

President Pedersen: I want to add, the role of the Nepal Red Cross is impressive. It's easy for a National Society to be seen with this or that side in conflict situation. It's a delicate issue. And the Nepal Red Cross is doing very well in the present conflict situation.

SG Poulsen: It's really impressive to see the Nepal Red Cross stand firmly on the Red Cross principles. We are proud to be working with the Nepal Red Cross.