Kathamndu, January 23:

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appealing for a USD 292 million for its regional and global programming for 2008 and 2009.

For Nepal, the IFRC is appealing for USD 4 million in support of the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS). The money will be used to implement humanitarian programmes targeting over nine lakh beneficiaries over a two-year time frame, says a press release issued by the Red Cross here yesterday.

There are several new challenges that the NRCS will help address. Climate change is one of them.

“The NRCS has the largest humanitarian network in Nepal with chapters in all 75 districts. Through our programmes, we aim to empower communities to address human suffering with hope, respect for dignity and concern for equity,” says Dev Ratna Dhakhwa, secretary General of the NRCS.

The NRCS’s plan covers four areas: Disaster Management, Health and Care in the community, Capacity Building and Humanitarian Values.

The community-based disaster management components of the NRCS focus on preparedness and response, as well as risk reduction at the community and organisational levels, aiming to enhance the coping capacity of an estimated 120,000 people over the next two years.

The NRCS’s health and care programme can be organised into three broad focus areas: Community Health, HIV/AIDS, and Public Health in Emergencies. The programme targets approximately 72,000 vulnerable people and is aimed at improving the health status of communities and reducing their vulnerabilities.

Under its capacity development programme, the NRCS plans to enhance the self-reliance of local communities through educational and self-help group measures and community-based health activities. Targeted beneficiaries are around 58,000. The main focus of the Humanitarian Values programme is to promote the understanding of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and humanitarian values among the communities, volunteers and staff.