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1 MONGOLIA 14 May 2004 In Brief Appeal No /2003; Appeal target: CHF 770,524 (USD or EUR ); Appeal coverage: 86.8% (click here to go directly to the Financial Report). This Annual Report reflects activities implemented over a one-year period; they form part of, and are based on, longer-term, multi-year planning All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation s website at For further information specifically related to this Annual Appeal please contact: Mongolian Red Cross Society, redcross@magicnet.mn, phone: , fax: Delegation Udaya Regmi, HoD, ifrcmn06@ifrc.org, phone/fax: Regional Delegation, Alistair Henley, HoRD, ifrccn01@ifrc.org, phone: , fax: Geneva; Satoshi Sugai, Desk Officer; sugai.satoshi@ifrc.org; Phone: ; Fax: Overall analysis of the programme The Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) has successfully implemented the supporting programmes of: health care; first aid; disaster preparedness; social care services; HIV/AIDS; blood donor recruitment; MRCS Youth; information dissemination; and management of volunteers and national societies. The society has achieved all of its goals in a timely manner. The programmes implemented within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation projects were focussed on enhancing the capacity of primary and middle level Red Cross branches in accordance with the goals set in the MRCS Strategy Within the framework of this cooperation, the occupational skills of volunteers and staff of all levels of MRCS have been improved through: training of volunteer trainers of health care, first aid, disaster preparedness, HIV/AIDS and the blood donor programme; and standardisation of the training curriculum. Dissemination of handbooks, materials and videos related to the programmes has brought about remarkable progress in the quality of training. MRCS has taken various measures aimed at consolidating the capacity of mid-level Red Cross branches, improving the working conditions of volunteers, revising volunteer management, and reviewing organisational policy and plans. Improving the heating system of mid and primary level branches, strengthening training and provision of equipment, motivating volunteers, and mobilising vulnerable groups have all achieved considerable results. During the reporting period, per cent of planned activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of local Red Cross branches were organised.

2 The Enhancement of Capacity Building Project has been implemented in three mid-level branches with the financial support of the Netherlands Red Cross Society, and in six mid-level branches with the financial support of the Capacity Building Fund of the Federation. The HIV/AIDS and Blood Donor Programme has been implemented in 5 mid-level branches with the financial support of the Australian Red Cross Society. MRCS participated in the Well Functioning National Society Self-Assessment MRCS will sign new cooperation agreements with the Japanese Red Cross Society and the British Red Cross Society, in addition to renewing existing agreements with the Australian Red Cross Society and the Netherlands Red Cross Society. Each year for the last 3-4 years there has been a steady increase in the number of people affected by natural disasters. This, in addition to increased migration from rural to urban areas, has created a burden on social services. MRCS has provided psychological and in-kind (food and clothes) support for the herder families of different aimags and soums (districts and villages) within the framework of the emergency appeal launched in In particular, disaster preparedness centres in aimags have been strengthened. There has been more success in promoting and mobilising the activities of the mid-level Red Cross branches during the implementation process of these long and short-term appeals. The Federation has continued to support MRCS long-term development programme through the annual appeal and MRCS is grateful for the cooperation of the representative office of the Federation. Objectives, and Constraints Health and Care Overall Goal: To carry out campaigns on the prevention of diseases and accidents, and to provide knowledge on health and first aid. Programme Objective: To provide knowledge and skills, through the use of the media, and by conducting effective training in line with the Federation s standards, that meet the needs of target groups, and the population in general. First aid instruction and training in programme planning and reporting was given to first aid trainers and elements of management of MRCS. MRCS programme managers have also been successfully trained in aspects of programme planning and reporting and the application of log-frame analysis through a Project Planning Process (PPP) seminar. The training of a first aid instructor and seven first aid regional instructors at MRCS headquarters was completed and similar training of first aid trainers in provincial centres was also achieved. This comprised both the theory and practice of sound first aid disciplines. First aid training for volunteers was also completed successfully. Regional instructors conducted first aid training for volunteers in their respective regions. Pilot first aid training was also conducted for volunteers at primary level Red Cross branches of 5 soums of Dundgobi aimag. In order to set up a standard training venue and to enhance training methodologies, a new training room was established with IT equipment, video and audio aids, and standard office furniture, and given to the Ulaanbaatar City Council Red Cross branch. 2

3 Further training of first aid trainers in the Ulaanbaatar metropolitan area was also conducted. The first aid programme manager and the first aid trainer of the Ulaanbaatar City Council Red Cross branch facilitated. A series of first aid training videos were produced for trainers. Furthermore, the Daily News, which has a national readership, published a series of articles authored by MRCS aimed at increasing public awareness of first aid. Artic les have been published on a bi-monthly basis covering topics such as choking, poisoning, animal bites, eye injuries, hypothermia and shock. Other articles addressed the transportation of injured people, preparing a first aid kit and, most recently, first aid and HIV/AIDS. The junior leaders of MRCS have organised first aid competitions. These included a campaign for crossing busy traffic thoroughfares, called Green Light White Crossing. These were conducted in conjunction with the traffic police. In addition, to assist primary level training of children, a first aid manual was produced, using simple words that can be easily understood. A total of copies of this manual were produced and distributed. MRCS Ulaanbaatar branch organised a demonstration with the aim of promoting first aid skills among youth through their participation. Ulaanbaatar Fire Department Red Cross branch also organised activities at the demonstration. The training goal was achieved in accordance with the Federation s curriculum, and has produced 17 national trainers who will be able to facilitate continuous first aid training in remote areas. First aid training course participants were engaged in using a variety of training tools such as mannequins, videos and live demonstrations. Higher post-training scores as opposed to pre-training test scores indicated that course participants had improved their knowledge and practical skills in regards to first aid. Trained trainers, however, still require practical teaching experience and training manuals. Twenty six training-of-trainers workshops were conducted in the soum of Choir. In turn this will allow soum level branches of the Red Cross within each area to facilitate similar training campaigns. This has allowed some activities to seek financial remuneration for training from commercial concerns, thus augmenting branch income. By producing teaching aids, first aid trainers have been able to acquire and use materials and handouts to full advantage, thus improving training in compliance with the newly developed training curriculum. Newspaper articles have facilitated distance training for the residents in the remotest areas as well as being a promotional factor for first aid training and MRCS. Constraints No problems were encountered in conducting the abovementioned activities. The only constraint will be in monitoring the activities of trained first aid instructors as most of them are located in remote areas away from Ulaanbaatar. There will also be a requirement to upgrade and improve the knowledge and skills of the trained instructors. Also, due to the lack of professionally equipped video studios in Mongolia, the production of videos took a long time to complete. Social Care Overall Goal: To expand community-based care for the elderly through increased capacity of recruited trained volunteers, and to further improve the health and well-being of vulnerable people in Ulaanbaatar. Programme Objective: To continue the implementation of elderly care in two aimags and two districts in Ulaanbaatar and to expand into two other aimags; and to improve the health and psychosocial well-being of the most vulnerable in seven districts of Ulaanbaatar through outreach social services. This programme targeted elderly men and women, and gave home help to single elderly people. It also promoted socialising activities among elderly people, and enable d Red Cross volunteers to attend meetings. In support of these measures a Volunteer Integration Workshop was conducted in Ulaanbaatar for thirty local volunteers and four Red Cross branch instructors from the provinces and ger districts of the capital. 3

4 Activities carried out through the Community Care for the Elderly project were revised and priority was given to Khan-Uul and Nalaikh districts in Ulaanbaatar, and Gobi-Altai and Uvurkhangai aimags. These revised activities were implemented by MRCS volunteers and targeted elderly men and women by providing: home help for single older people; home health care for homebound older people; socialising activities among older people; and volunteer meetings. Home care training was conducted at the end of October for 30 local volunteers and five primary Red Cross branch instructors. In addition to community-based care for the elderly, the social care programme is implementing outreach activities in seven districts of Ulaanbaatar. The humanitarian centres are gradually evolving into multipurpose Red Cross community centres where both volunteers and beneficiaries play significant role s in mobilising and empowering communities. Twenty seven per cent of operational costs of two community centres are being supported. Community care outreach activities implemented from humanitarian centres have been expanded to seven districts of Ulaanbaatar. The volunteers reporting and monitoring system has been brought into line with the system used in the Community Care for the Elderly project. The social care programme has increased the number of volunteers active in social care projects in each of the targeted areas by thirty. More than fifteen volunteers are now active in Home Care for the Homebound Elderly in the ger districts of Han-Uul and Nalaikh in urban Ulaanbaatar, and in the aimags of Gobi-Altai and Uvurkhangai. A minimum of 60 older people benefited from home care in the ger districts of Nalaikh of Ulaanbaatar, and in the aimag of Uvurkhangui. Besides providing home care to the most vulnerable, volunteer teams convey the needs of the elderly to local authorities, family doctors and nurses, and advocate on their behalf to local government agencies, NGOs and charity organisations. Moreover, the MRCS youth welfare programme organised the collection of essential items - candles, matches, newpapers, second-hand clothes, soap, and coverlets for animals - for vulnerable groups. The collection campaign takes place twice a year, before and after winter and continues for a month, involving mostly Ulaanbaatar universities. During the campaign MRCS youth collected: 3,700 box candles; 1,646 pieces of matches; newspapers (30kg); second hand clothes (80 kg); general merchandise (4 boxes); kitchen soap (1 box); and coverlets for animals (3 boxes). At the end of the collection campaign MRCS youth distributed items to 9 soums in three aimags, mostly by post. One of the main outcomes of the collection activity was the cultivation of a sense of humanity among local youth and an increase in their involvement in MRCS activities. The social care programme is now in its second year. Compared to previous years, staff and volunteers of Red Cross branches gained valuable experience and their activities were sustained. Red Cross provided a referral service for the most vulnerable and elderly people, enabling them to access social services provided by other NGOs, INGOs and government organisations. Staff trained in advocacy and with knowledge regarding eligibility for services were able to assist older and disabled people in accessing government health care services. In addition, disadvantaged men, women and children were able to access health and psychosocial services through outreach programmes in all districts of Ulaanbaatar. Volunteers are made increasingly aware of the impact they are having on senior members of society who, out of pride, are normally the last to complain or make demands on the community. Social care and services to outreach programmes by volunteers were improved through the activities implemented in each of the humanitarian centres. Constraints Due to the funding constraints, community-based activities for the elderly in selected aimags were revised and prioritised instead of expanding activities into new target areas. The same policy was adopted for the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar. Extensive distances between communities, the difficulties of travel and poor standards of telecommunications have also impacted on activities. 4

5 Blood Donor Recruitment Programme Overall Goal: To secure a safe supply of blood stocks in Mongolia through greater public awareness and education regarding blood donor recruitment, and to improve the capacity of MRCS to manage and implement the voluntary blood donor recruitment programmes. Programme Objective: To improve the technical and managerial capacity of blood donor recruitment and increase awareness among the population. In order to develop adequate training resources for the blood donation programme, the Federation manual was translated into Mongolian and adapted to the national context. To improve the technical capacity of Red Cross branches in blood donor recruitment and retention, three one-day consecutive workshops were conducted for 25 staff members of the urban Red Cross branches and relevant agencies in Ulaanbaatar. The workshops aimed to improve the skills of participants in conducting blood donation activities, and utilised for its basis the newly translated blood donor recruitment manual. These workshops were also useful in testing the manual and adapting it to the local context. A separate programme was conducted in consultations with the National Blood Centre, the Federation Secretariat in Geneva and the Australian Red Cross Society, in order to identify an appropriate set of indicators to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its donor recruitment and promotion campaigns. MRCS has come to an agreement with the National Blood Centre, which outlines the responsibilities and contributions of each party in blood donor recruitment for the year 2003 and on into the future. To develop an education and marketing plan for the recruitment and retention of volunteer, non-remunerated blood donors, MRCS youth undertook a social marketing survey of blood donation among the general population in all major towns along the railway line that runs through Mongolia from the Chinese frontier in the south-east to the Russian Federation frontier due north from Ulaanbaatar. The survey involved 84 people and aimed to establish the basis of a community education programme. Further surveys are planned in Ulaanbaatar and other major cities. An awareness campaign was organised on VNRB exposure among the general population in Ulaanbaatar. Together with the National Blood Centre, the programme has launched two different annual campaigns to promote blood donor recruitment. The first campaign involves the Blood Centre, MRCS and all other key players working on voluntary blood donation. MRCS youth, the State Blood Centre and the Student s Association organised blood drives in Darkhan and Orkhon. Over 600 donors were recruited during the blood drive, of which 50 per cent were first time blood donors. The second campaign is specifically focussed on Ulaanbaatar Red Cross district branches and, in comparison with the last campaign, involves quality monitoring indicators such as donor referral rates and donor retention rates. In order to encourage the participation of active donors in blood donor recruitment and retention activities, the programme has announced to all Red Cross branches a project grant of USD100. More than 20 proposals were received, of which six were approved for funding. More importantly, the President of Mongolia has approved the dedication of the first five weeks of September to the recognition of blood donors. In commemoration of the President s declaration, MRCS safe blood programme, in cooperation with the State Blood Centre, created a summary of annual campaign activities which were launched by all NGOs working in the blood sector. Awareness of voluntary blood donation was raised through the dissemination of promotional material by: o The distribution of leaflets covering the subject of voluntary blood donation by MRCS branches in Ulaanbaatar, Orkhon and Darkhan; o The design and printing of four series of posters covering the topic of voluntary blood donation. An important religious figure in Mongolia lent the use of his image to the initiative; o Distributing calling cards with promotional messages to the public ; 5

6 o Broadcasting a 20 minute promotional film entitled Safe Blood Starts With Me on Ulaanbaatar s television channel (UBS); o Airing a series of radio programmes covering blood donor recruitment on FM100.1 in Ulaanbaatar; and o Airing a 15 second video clip on voluntary blood donation on UBS television eight times. MRCS made an agreement with the National Blood Centre which outlines the responsibilities and contributions of each party in blood donor recruitment for the year 2003 and on into the future. Twenty-five staff members of urban Red Cross branches and relevant agencies are equipped with skills to use the Federation Blood Donor Recruitment manual. There is greatly increased awareness of the importance of blood donation among the general population in Mongolia. Constraints There is a lack of research and data relevant to developing policy. HIV/AIDS Programme Overall Goal: To reduce the incidence of STD/HIV/AIDS in Mongolia through greater public awareness and education, and strengthening the capacity of MRCS to respond adequately to the epidemic. Programme Objective: To promote a positive attitude and understanding among the general population and policy makers concerning people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as to improve the technical and managerial capacity of the MRCS HIV/AIDS programme. To increase the awareness of the media about HIV/AIDS and discrimination issues, an agreement was made with the Mongolian National Press Institute and the National AIDS Foundation to conduct jointly a skills building workshop for 25 journalists (print, radio and TV) from all aimags. The workshop aimed to increase the participants awareness of responsible reporting with regards to HIV/AIDS issues, and equip them with effective reporting skills. Following the theme of the Federation s global AIDS campaign The Truth About AIDS - Pass It On - the programme had planned a range of activities including a major public gathering in Ulaanbaatar on May 8. However, due to the SARS situation, some of the activities were modified. All branches received guidelines for Red Cross Day. The information programme printed three kinds of posters with HIV/AIDS anti-discrimination messages and produced a 20 minute TV programme featuring MRCS activities, concentrating on Red Cross HIV/AIDS projects. MRCS, with support from UNAIDS, also organised a train campaign during the period of August. The project, aimed at contributing to a reduction in the spread of HIV/AIDS among the mobile population and communities living in railway towns, was implemented in nine cities bordering the Trans-Siberian railway. On 15 November, MRCS initiated activities to prevent STI and HIV/AIDS in male prisons located in the Baganuur district of Ulaanbaatar. Work also began with regards to a voluntary counselling and testing centre based at the Railway Red Cross Hospital. The national society has established networks with many other actors working in the HIV/AIDS sector in Mongolia, particularly with the Ministry of Health, with whom they meet regularly. The HIV/AIDS programme coordinates its activities with the HIV/AIDS theme group, made up of various NGOs and UN agencies involved with HIV/AIDS. The Federation and MRCS work closely with the Australian Red Cross Society in the implementation of the HIV/AIDS programme. Following the Strategy for Change, the available human resources within the East Asia region have been mobilised to conduct HIV/AIDS and first aid training, and training-oftrainers. 6

7 MRCS HIV/AIDS programme managers attended the ARCSAN meeting and gender workshop held in Yunnan China, the 15 th ART meeting, and the strategic planning workshop held in Bali. MRCS has been recognised as a member of the UN theme group on HIV/AIDS. MRCS has also expanded its cooperation efforts with other agencies to include the National AIDS Foundation, The National Centre for Communicable Diseases, the Ministry of Health and other organisations involved with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, MRCS has linked into the IEC core group on HIV/AIDS and STIs. The Federation s regional HIV/AIDS health delegation was in Mongolia during the second week of November to facilitate a workshop and work with MRCS on developing the project further. In December, eight male and eight female MRCS youth leaders from MRCS branches in Darkhan, Orkhon, Tuv, Baganuur, Sukhbaatar, and the Railway Red Cross branch were trained as facilitators to provide HIV/AIDS youth peer education workshops to their peers. Promotion and dissemination activities were conducted among target groups. As a result people from different target groups gained information relevant to the prevention of STI/HIV/AIDS. Youth were actively mobilised in different awareness activities. A greater awareness of HIV/AIDS issues was disseminated to social groups at most risk, the media, relevant government agencies and MRCS operatives. Constraints The main problem was to reach the high risk target groups, as society does not accept them. Disaster Management Overall Goal: In the next 2 years MRCS aims to strengthen the disaster preparedness of provincial and district branches of the Red Cross. They will then continue to conduct disaster mitigation and preparation activities through well trained volunteers, and to respond to disaster-affected people through material and psychological support. There will also be rehabilitation activities for those that lose their livelihoods as a result of dzud. Programme Objective: To reduce the impact of disasters and local emergencies in Mongolia by strengthening the capacities of MRCS in disaster preparedness and post-disaster response. Objective 1: To facilitate alternative means of livelihood for dzud-affected households in the worst affected soums or districts of Gobi-Altai and Bayanhongor aimags, or provinces. (Five soums will be selected in each aimag). Following an assessment in November 2002 of the climactic and physical conditions of herder families on the steppe, an emergency appeal launched in January 2003 expedited activities originally outlined against this objective in the annual appeal. While the primary objective of the emergency appeal was to provide immediate relief to affected populations, the operations also focussed on building the capacity of MRCS to reduce longerterm vulnerability through revitalising Red Cross local branches (primary organisations) in 17 soums and 3 aimags. It is regretted that the emergency appeal was not substantial enough to also facilitate programming for alternative means of livelihood for dzud-affected households. We continue to address this objective through the annual appeal. (Please refer to our website for further information on the emergency operation updates and final report). Objective 2: To provide psychological support in six aimags. To provide appropriate psychological support, a Federation manual called Stress Management was resourced and translated into Mongolian by a professional psychiatrist and copies were distributed to Red Cross branches. 7

8 In order to develop training curriculum on psychological support to disaster victims, a working group involving experts from the Psychiatric Clinic Hospital was established. This was affiliated to the Ministry of Health, the State Emergency Commission, secretaries from Ulaanbaatar city district s Red Cross branches, and MRCS health and first aid programme managers. The MRCS disaster preparedness department facilitated a training seminar for volunteers and health and first aid programme managers with assistance from experts of the psychiatric clinic, and officers from the State Civil Defence office. This aimed to educate the participants on disaster preparedness (DP) key activities, and to introduce a new training course on post-disaster psychological support to disaster victims. A total of 120 staff and volunteers from four aimags were trained in psychological support. Objective 3: To establish a community disaster relief emergency fund in one pilot aimag. There was insufficient funding, and emergency relief operations over the period occupied MRCS staff. Objective 4: To implement preparedness and mitigation activities in five aimags. o Disaster awareness radio programmes were produced and broadcast; o A forest fire risk video was produced; o 500 copies of leaflets on foot and mouth disease were produced and distributed to herders by MRCS youth; o Disposal of animal carcasses, cleaning of fire damaged wooded areas, and tree-planting were carried out by MRCS youth; o A painting competition on fire prevention was held among children, carried out by Junior Red Cross; o DP dissemination educational boards were developed and placed in schools; o Fire prevention demonstrations were held in six soums of three aimags with the support of the State Fire Department; o Community flood prevention interventions were conducted; o Training of first aid team leaders was conducted in Uvs aimag; o 20 minute radio programmes, concerning different types of disasters, were broadcast over Mongolian national radio five times; o A radio programme was also produced to raise public awareness about steppe and forest fires leaflets were also printed covering fire prevention and response. These leaflets were then distributed throughout 11 of Mongolia s most fire-prone aimags; o Representatives of 33 MRCS first aid groups from Uvs, Khuvsgul, Uvurkhangai and Selenge aimags received first aid training. Objective 5: To strengthen regional DP centres and systems. Disaster preparedness and response centres were established in seven regions at existing branches of MRCS where personnel are already carrying out traditional Red Cross activities. Where possible, these centres are near the railway line to enable the transfer of relief materials and personnel in times of emergency. The Disaster Preparedness/Disaster Response (DP/DR) Manager of MRCS is involved in developing this policy further by disseminating DP/DR knowledge whenever possible. A logistics and relief workshop in Ulaanbaatar has contributed to galvanising Red Cross volunteers and the community into a cohesive force in order to reduce vulnerabilities. MRCS, through activities conducted in partnership with the Federation in response to the 2003 dzud (emergency appeal 02/03), has also initiated small income generation projects, such as bakeries, so as to strengthen the financial capability of regional disaster preparedness centres. In this regard a workshop was held in regions on how to run DP centres and their activities. Emergency stocks to cover the needs of families in the event of a disaster were procured and pre-positioned in warehouses at the newly established MRCS disaster preparedness centres in seven DP regional centres. Centres in Darkhan-Uul and Ulaanbaatar were provided with enough stock to cover the needs of 100 families while 8

9 centres in Gobi-Altai, Dornod, Bayan-Ulgii, Gobisumber and Arkhangai aimags were provided with enough stock to cover the needs of fifty families in the event of an emergency. The total amount of stock purchased for MRCS regional disaster preparedness centers during the second half of 2003 was: blankets (450); warm clothes (450 sets); children s boots (450 pairs); felt boots (450 pairs); ger covers (80); tents (14); and medicine (330 packages). All activities have been implemented in compliance with the Federation s and MRCS policy on disaster preparedness and rehabilitation. Cooperation with government organisations and local authorities has improved the impact of these activities. The State Emergency Commission and MRCS are working closely together, with the secretary general of MRCS being a member of the State Emergency Commission executive committee. Communication with other agencies is good, although it is hoped that coordination can be improved upon. A meeting of all INGOs and various NGOs was convened by MRCS earlier this year. This was well attended, and it is hoped that this type of forum will become a regular feature in the Red Cross calendar. The Federation is advocating for regular coordination meetings, together with a coordinated response to emergencies by all international organisations based in Ulaanbaatar. The Federation, together with MRCS, has started to map government and agency interventions in addressing various hazards and humanitarian issues within Mongolia. The primary objective is to identify complementary or duplicated services. Constraints The annual development programme overlapped with the Emergency Appeal 2003 and due to the timing, some activities were postponed for a certain period or have not been achieved. Humanitarian Values Overall Goal: To promote the movement s Fundamental Principles, and Humanitarian Values in order to change behaviour at the community level. Programme Objective: To implement a series of activities and events in order to promote the movement s Fundamental Principles and Humanitarian Values. o MRCS annual report produced in English and Mongolian; o Humanity newsletters produced and distributed each month; o Junior/Youth Red Cross newsletters produced and distributed each month; o Activities for International Red Cross Day were planned and implemented, including TV and radio programmes; o A song was commissioned to highlight the issue of HIV/AIDS; o TV and radio programmes have been broadcast; and o Poster campaigns have been held. Together with well known singers of Mongolia, a song Let s Prevent AIDS was produced. Furthermore, 2,000 copies of an AIDS discrimination poster featuring the singers was published and distributed to aimag Red Cross branches. Production of the posters and the song has been recognised by other young musicians, and with their help, it is hoped to involve more young people in Red Cross activities. Mongolian television produced a programme entitled Power of Humanity. This was broadcast throughout the country. The programme included information about the Fundamental Principles and history of the Red Cross movement, and described recent activities conducted by MRCS. The main text of the programme has been used to develop a 15 minute radio programme, which was also broadcast nationwide on two occasions. This enabled people without television to receive the same information by radio. 9

10 Eternal Challenge is the Red Cross youth newsletter that is published monthly in cooperation with the youth and junior volunteers. It is the main source of information for dissemination of the Humanitarian Values among young people. The newsletter has been largely responsible for the increased number of volunteers joining in the movement. The Eternal Challenge also features stories about MRCS youth activities and articles aimed at raising awareness about common health hazards and communicable diseases. The Humanity newsletter disseminates information regarding the Red Cross and aims to motivate volunteers and members alike. It is also used to familiarise the general public with Red Cross activities and news. During the period, MRCS published and distributed a total of copies of Humanity. The newsletter reaches approximately 350 people per month. The most recent edition of the paper featured articles about HIV/AIDS and the MRCS National Conference. Through published articles, TV and radio programmes, MRCS has increased the number of people actively participating in Red Cross activities and increased the numbers of volunteers as well as the knowledge of the general population regarding the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. In particular, the involvement of famous singers in activities attracted young people and adolescents. Constraints The information and dissemination programme is responsible for publishing newsletters and quarterly newspapers under strict deadlines. Poor financing frequently causes the editors to overrun these deadlines. Organisational development Overall Goal: To improve the capacity of MRCS, making the most effective and efficient use of its available human and financial resources for implementing the health and care, disaster preparedness and relief programmes. Programme Objective: To strengthen the capacity of MRCS through: recruitment, training and better management of volunteers; improvement of financial sustainability; strategic and operational planning; income generation and fund raising; and support to branches. An MRCS National Conference was organised in Gobi-Altai aimag over the period 9-12 August Over 200 people, including all members of the MRCS governing board and central committee, headquarters and branch staff, volunteers, members, delegates from the member organisations, and the media, attended the conference. During the conference, MRCS Gobi-Altai aimag branch shared information about best practice and its experiences with other branches. Activities carried out during the MRCS national conference included: o Evaluating the impact of activities implemented by MRCS during the period August 2002 to August 2003; o Defining future goals by discussing the following reports: - Improve the Management of the Primary and Middle Level Branches of MRCS ; - Experiences of the Gobi-Altai Aimag Red Cross Branch ; - Cooperation of the Local Red Cross Branches with other Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations ; and - Volunteer Activities and Problems Facing Them. o Enacting the renewed strategy of MRCS; o Enacting the regulation of the middle level branch activities ; o Disseminating information about the activities of MRCS among the populations of Ovorkhangai, Kharkhorin and Bayankhongor aimags. The active participation of MRCS volunteers and local staff in discussions, as well as the process of enacting the two most important documents contributing to the future direction of MRCS, facilitated the relevance of these documents to local situations by providing opportunities for each level of MRCS to share their experiences of 10

11 programme implementation and other activities. Both short and long-term programme strategies and management will be focussed on how to achieve expected results for improving the living conditions of vulnerable people, both in rural and urban areas, by coordinating the related programmes. The Gobi-Altai MRCS aimag branch has many good experiences that other branches can learn from. Examples include: how primary level branches activities are comparatively independent; and how services to elderly people are regularly organised with the help of the volunteers who are very experienced in the field. Additionally, the branch has its own disaster preparedness fund and reward fund for volunteers. Meetings were also held in Bayankhongor and Ovorkhangai aimags to share experiences. Objective 1: To further deve lop MRCS volunteer management capacity, competencies in human resource management and financial management, and leadership and ideology of the Red Cross in branches, by implementing health and care, and disaster preparedness programmes. Volunteer management training Training was organised for more than forty delegates representing employees of Red Cross branches from all regions. Volunteers, members of the main board, and representatives of collaborating organisations also took part. Delegates were asked to implement proposals from their regions, and which had been decided upon at the volunteers management regional meeting. Emphasis was placed on developing a volunteer strategy within the national society. Instructors have covered all relevant levels of training in the practical operation of the Red Cross in all aimags. First aid training centre During the first half of the year a first aid training centre was established at the Ulaanbaatar MRCS branch. Since then the branch s master trainer has conducted first aid training four times, training 60 people in three aimags, including the employees of two travel companies. Project Planning Process Course Three staff members of MRCS, including a programme coordinator and two managers, participated in this course held in Beijing in March 2003, while others participated and facilitated a relief and logistics workshop held in Ulaanbaatar. Published staff handbook Handbooks for middle and primary level branch staff were prepared and copies printed and distributed. The handbooks cover topics such as: how to improve the management skills of the branch staff; guidance with regards to daily branch activities and methodology for implementing activities; and theoretical knowledge and information. The handbook will function as a reference for daily activities as well as providing a reporting format for branches. Objective 2: To provide funding to support the branches of MRCS in implementing income generating activities. This has been slow to materialise. However, it should be pointed out that a major constraint in this respect is the heating of Red Cross branches during the severe Mongolian winters. This refers to not only the fabric of the system but also the availabilit y of the heating fuel. It is estimated that per cent of operational expenses of an average regional branch are spent on heating. In order to decrease these expenses so that money can be spent on other activities, heating systems in nominated branches have been replaced. After the provision of suitable working conditions, branches started carrying out their daily activities, even in winter, in seven aimags and one soum. 11

12 All of the targeted eight branches have already completed installation of the heating system and money spent on heating has reduced by an estimated per cent. The substantial amount of money being saved by installing these heating systems will be used for volunteer and social care activities such as training and other regular activities. This provision also allows branches to rent out extra rooms and fully equipped training/workshop venues to other organisations. Objective 3: To provide support in the development of branches implementing health and care and disaster preparedness activities. Since 1999 and in the framework of the decentralisation policy, the Federation has funded district branches of Ulaanbaatar. Support is being provided for the operational expenses of MRCS branches in the Bagakhangai and Chingeltei districts. Branches are provided with a grant that covers 37 per cent of the monthly operational expenses for each district. The grant covers the salary of four staff members at both of the branches, and 37 per cent of the social care insurance. The grant also covers other operational expenses such as stationery, rent, heating, communications and electricity bills. With basic running costs covered, MRCS branches were able to carry out the following health and disaster preparedness activities: o The Bagakhangai branch organised a meeting of volunteers to share knowledge and experiences in Bagakhangai; o An essay competition was organised for children with the theme of Who knows the most about the Red Cross? Thirty children participated in Bagahangai; o Dissemination workshops were organised in each primary branch, as well as disaster relief workshops in 5 branches in Bagahangai; o First aid training was held in 8 sub-districts, the Communication and Service Company, and for fire fighters, covering over 60 people; o 10 people from 4 families, having migrated from the countryside and being unregistered, were helped to get jobs, and 5 people were trained in tailoring. Repairing damaged roads facilitated relief efforts following flooding in July. Relief goods were collected with the help of almost 100 volunteers. Ten particularly vulnerable families received food and clothes. The main achievement for the organisational development programme was to enhance capacity building and management of mid and primary level Red Cross branches. In accordance with recommendations of the review team, activities focussed on enhancing the management of mid-level branches and strengthening capacity building. The main achievement for 2003 was the approval of Strategy 2010 of MRCS. A lot of activities were conducted at mid-level branches which will be the basis for sustainable activities of volunteers in rural areas. Preparation works were conducted focussing on enhancing volunteer management, such as translation of manuals and training. In order to improve management, materials have been collected and reviewed. Individual management skills have increased and this has been reflected in programme implementation. The installation of portable heating stoves in the aimag centres offers constant and reliable heating in winter, thus ensuring staff and volunteers can work effectively and conduct activities that can contribute towards income generation. By the provision of operational expenses, district branches are able to carry out humanitarian work; as a result, membership and volunteers have increased considerably. Constraints Management and English language training for staff were not conducted due to lack of financing. 12

13 Federation Coordination Overall Goal: The Federation continues providing support to MRCS and resources are made available by its partners. Programme Objective: coordinated. Cooperation between the Federation, MRCS and other partners is well The Federation has had regular coordination meetings with the National Society at both executive and operational levels. During these meetings, programmes are discussed, strategies set and information is shared. The Review and Assessment of MRCS conducted last year, and a subsequent visit to Ulaanbataar by the team leader, has focussed current programming and planning for the future. Following the distribution of the final review report, the review team leader presented his findings to a range of Secretariat departments in Geneva, and took part in two teleconferences in order to debrief sister/donor national societies. The team leader of the review team has been invited back to Mongolia to facilitate the next step in the programme management cycle. As per the recommendation made by the team leader in Establishing the Way Ahead the Mongolian Red Cross Society, MRCS has formed a Change Process Team to review existing goals and strategies of MRCS, outlined specific areas within the objectives, and reported to the senior management with recommendations. The Change Process Team received approval of recommendations from MRCS management, which were presented in a partnership meeting in Geneva in June MRCS management agreed and implemented most of the review s recommendations by revising its strategies, programming and partnerships in order to set clear and sustainable directions for the longer term. Federation Health Delegates from East Asia region - North Korea have also paid a visit to MRCS during this reporting period. One delegate conducted master training of first aid trainers and upgraded the existing programme, and the second delegate worked with MRCS on broader programme development issues. In early June, the regional HIV/AIDS programme coordinator made a visit in order to help MRCS conduct an HIV/AIDS workshop with the local media in Mongolia. Furthermore, the deployment of the Head of Delegation to Mongolia, a position that has not been fielded before, is specifically to assist MRCS in furthering medium to long-term strategies for the betterment of the society. Coordination within the society has included regular meetings on the development plan as well as ongoing emergency operations. On 17 January 2003, at the request of MRCS and based upon the recommendations of the assessment team, the Federation launched Emergency Appeal (02/03) seeking CHF to assist beneficiaries for ten months. Although the Mongolian government elected not to declare a state of emergency during the winter of , their representatives confirmed the humanitarian needs of much of the population, and expressed their confidence that MRCS and the Federation would be able to take the lead in providing essential support to those who were most greatly affected. MRCS and the Federation have successfully provided critical assistance to destitute families and improved the capacity of MRCS as a result of activities carried out within the 2003 dzud operation. Successful capacity building activities continued through annual programming, while MRCS has shifted its approach from that of short-term emergency response to one of long-term strengthening of communities. At the beginning of February 2003, two Federation delegates - a Relief Cooordinator and a Logistics Delegate for emergency operations - were sent to Mongolia to work with MRCS to implement the planned activities. As a result of good teamwork and better coordination, the emergency operation Dzud 2003 was implemented successfully within the given time frame. 13

14 The Federation s delegatio n in Mongolia has been staffed by a Head of Delegation and two national staff specialising in finance and administration/logistics. The Federation is supporting MRCS in the development of programmes more responsive and focussed on the needs of the most vulnerable, with the expected results of increased capacity, programmes that are designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, improvement in the quality of monitoring and evaluation, and further organisational development, health and care and disaster management programmes. The Federation, in cooperation with Partner National Societies (PNS), will continue its support to MRCS over the next two years. Given the vulnerability potential as well as the size of the country, the challenges are enormous. Although MRCS is large in terms of geographical coverage and numbers of volunteers, it is lacking in terms of its capacity. A top priority is therefore to assist MRCS to strengthen the primary and secondary level branches and build up capacities at national headquarters and in the long-term within the entire network of aimag and soum branches, thus developing the society into a strong partner at home and abroad. Due to better coordination between MRCS, the country delegation, the regional delegation and Geneva Secretariats, MRCS was able to access CHF from the Federation s Capacity Building Fund (CBF). Moreover, the Netherlands Red Cross Society has started a capacity building programme in a bilateral partnership with MRCS. Both MRCS and the Netherlands Red Cross have worked closely with the Federation during the implementation of the project which will last until August During the period, the Federation and MRCS received a representative of both the British Red Cross and Australian Red Cross societies (separately) to research possibilities for supporting MRCS activities. The regular coordination meetings with other agencies are held monthly at the UNDP office in Ulaanbaatar. It involves donors, members of the diplomatic corps and the Federation. It periodically addresses humanitarian issues, and it is to these meetings that MRCS, INGOs and NGOs are invited. The UNDP forum enables the delegation to keep abreast of broader economic interventions financed by structures other than INGOs and their traditional backers, namely the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. The review recommendations and follow-up visit helped to enhance coordination between MRCS, PNS and the Federation, and has improved and attracted the attention of the donor community to support the society. The Netherlands Red Cross Society has already started their capacity building project with MRCS through the Federation. Similarly, a joint British Red Cross/German Red Cross fund and the Australian Red Cross Society are most likely going to start their social care and disaster preparedness programmes respectively in Due to improved relationships and better coordination between the society and other agencies, most of the objectives set out in both the Annual and Emergency Appeals have been reached. International Representation Overall Goal: International stakeholders are increasingly supporting the initiatives of the Red Cross/Red Crescent in Mongolia for the benefit of targeted vulnerable groups. Programme Objective: The National Society s priorities will be better understood by stakeholders, especially by the international media, UN organisations, local and international NGOs, and diplomats based in Mongolia and Beijing. After the deployment of the Federation s Head of Delegation and other core delegates in February 2003, the Federation has been active in visiting diplomatic missions, UN offices and INGOs. From the outset of the deployment of delegates in Mongolia, the Federation has done its utmost to promote, not only the Federation but also MRCS, with whom the delegation now has excellent relations. More general coordination meetings are held monthly at the UNDP office in Ulaanbaatar involving donors, members of the diplomatic corps and the Federation. 14