David Andrews, Irish Red Cross Chairman presents findings on Darfur refugees residing in eastern Chad and new International Strategy to Minister Michael Kitt.

This new strategy builds on the changed role of the Irish Red Cross which now directly manages major operations in Africa and in Asia, in addition to its long-standing role providing financial aid and professional staff to operations run by International Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.

In his report to the Minister, the Irish Red Cross Chairman highlighted the value of Irish donations in dealing with the congestion of the camps in Chad and the need for clean water and adequate sanitation to stem the outbreak of disease.

Already €425,000 has been donated by the Irish Red Cross which is appealing to people in Ireland to help its work in the region.

Chad - one of the five poorest countries in the world - is hosting close to 250.000 refugees from the Darfur region of neighbouring Sudan. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement manages two massive refugee camps, accommodating around 40,000 people in total.

The Irish Red Cross International Strategy 2007 - 2012 aims to ensure that these people and others who are assisted by the Irish Red Cross, get the best care and attention that fits their needs.

The Strategy also aims to help Irish people who donate to the Irish Red Cross as individuals or through the state, and corporate donors, understand how their money is spent and the difference that it makes. In addition the Strategy aims to strengthen the bonds that exist within the Irish Red Cross and its many partners.

Noting that international spending by the Irish Red Cross has increased by 450%, the Strategy sets out the plans for Irish Red Cross funded and managed programmes which total €36 million.

"Our track record in responding to disasters is second to none. We provide immediate aid and we have been fortunate to get the backing of the people of Ireland for this vital life-saving work," said the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, David Andrews.

"Now, after developing longer-term projects in Africa and Asia, we are setting in place secure foundations for further growth with this Strategy which will underpin our development over the next five years. Irish Aid has been a key partner of the Irish Red Cross for many years, currently providing funding for our activities in Malawi and Niger. It was very important for us to meet with the Minister today to brief him and his officials on our future plans and direction. We look forward to our excellent relationship with his Department continuing and strengthening over the coming years".

Note to Editors:

The Irish Red Cross International Strategy 2007 - 2012 identifies a set of ten focus areas of assistance:

1. Increasing the impact and profile of our cash contributions to particular areas such as ‘unseen and forgotten’ disasters.
2. Increasing the number of delegates and deploying Irish Red Cross personnel within the broader International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
3. Exploring the opportunity for new operational responses such as the development of an Emergency Response Unit.
4. Expansion of water and sanitation projects in Malawi and Niger and the East of Africa.
5. Develop targeted programmes for people who have lost their livelihoods.
6. Scale-up Irish Red Cross support for people and communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
7. Provision of Tracing and Messaging services to people who have become separated from family and relatives as a result of armed conflict, political upheaval and natural or other disasters in line with the role for the Red Cross and Red Crescent laid down by the Geneva Conventions.
8. Provide Family Reunification services in line with the new partnership developed in Ireland between the Irish Red Cross and the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees).
9. Strengthen Irish Red Cross activities in relation to International Humanitarian Law.
10. Explore ways to develop our education and youth activities particularly as they relate to the values and principles that underpin International Humanitarian Law.

The Irish Red Cross was the 12th largest (Red Cross/Red Crescent) National Society cash supporter of appeals launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 2005/6. The Irish Red Cross was also recognised as one of the largest contributors to the appeal for the Pakistan Earthquake, launched by the International Federation in late 2005.