By Nirmal Adhikari
Kathmandu, June 5

The 19th meeting of the South Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Secretary General Forum completed today. The Secretary Generals of the National Societies (NS) from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the two day meeting. The previous meeting was held in Sri Lanka during 2007.

“This is the time to translate our strategy into action,” emphasized Sanjeev Thapa, Chairman of the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) in the opening ceremony.

During the meeting there was general agreement among the Secretary Generals of the National Societies for the progress of the integrated programming approach. Through this approach, which is being initiated for the first time in the South Asia region, programmes such as disaster management and health and care will provide an ‘integrated’ approach to humanitarian needs. Therefore, a more holistic solution would be possible, which will provide more balanced relief and recovery for vulnerable people.

Apart from the integrated programming approach, agreements were also reached for services such as restoring family links, the issue of continuing emblem abuse and the South Asia strategic plan. The Secretary Generals made commitments to exchange expertise, best practices and experiences among their National Society. They also discussed how the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) could play a supportive role in their capacity building efforts. They also tried to resolve the challenges that emerge due to national disasters and human crimes.

The Secretary Generals also participated in a disaster simulation exercise which took stock of the NRCS response mechanism after a large-scale earthquake.

The meeting was also addressed by the Head of the Delegation of the ICRC in Nepal. This forum was organized by the NRCS and supported by the ICRC, DFID and the South Asia Regional Delegation of the International Federation.