Council of Delegates resolves to scale up anticipatory action

By the Climate Centre

The Council of the Delegates in Geneva today resolved to scale up anticipatory action to better assist people in vulnerable situations and build on the role of the Red Cross Red Crescent as a champion in this area.

The resolution – Strengthening anticipatory action in the Movement: Our way forward – was initiated by the IFRC, ICRC, the German Red Cross and the Climate Centre.

It calls on the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to increase engagement on anticipatory action so that more people, more countries, and more hazards are covered by the approach.

The Council of Delegates gathers all components of the Movement – 192 National Societies, the ICRC and the IFRC – to discuss matters of joint interest; it sets strategies on humanitarian issues and contributes to strengthening cooperation.

The resolution on anticipatory action sees it being integrated into operational and legal frameworks and processes; it calls for stronger financing, learning and advocacy; and it asks for compounding risks, including in conflict-affected areas, to be addressed, alongside epidemics, food insecurity and displacement.

‘This resolution will help create further momentum to shift from reaction to anticipation in the Movement’

Movement components are now urged to mobilize the necessary resources and partnerships to bring anticipatory action to scale.

Kara Siahaan, head of the Anticipation Hub, said today: “This resolution will help to unleash the potential of anticipatory action and create further momentum to shift from reaction to anticipation in the Movement.

“I am delighted to hear National Society colleagues calling for the Anticipation Hub to support learning, exchange and advocacy … We will continue do our very best to strengthen the Movement’s capacities and expertise in this area so that more people can be reached and lives and livelihood saved.”

The Council of Delegates is this year focused on “ways to ensure that the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement remains adaptable and accountable and that we maximize our collective impact,” organizers said.

The new chair of the Climate Centre board, Yolanda Kakabadse, in her remarks welcoming the resolution, said: “The Red Cross Red Crescent network has a proud history of early warning, saving millions of lives by moving people out of harm’s way ahead of a storm or flood.

“But we need to go beyond that,” she added, citing the examples of heatwaves, mudslides after wildfires, and climate shocks combining with Covid and displacement.

‘It will sharpen our focus and enable us to
work together to address the rising risks’

Anticipatory action was also needed to address “shifting diseases due to changing climatic conditions and shifting habitats.”

Ms Kakabadse concluded: “This resolution will sharpen our focus and enable us to work together to address the rising risks.”

In another major climate-related development, the Council of Delegates today endorsed the Climate and Environment Charter, which has now been signed by at least 60 National Societies, NGOs in 80 countries, as well as some international organizations and UN agencies.

Introducing the resolution, Maldivian Red Crescent Vice-President Aisha Niyaz said it was “a crucial step as we strive to alleviate human suffering on our shared planet.

“It is very clear from the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that bold and transformational change is urgently needed for us to be able to survive and thrive.

“Signing the charter is just the first step: next, we must translate its commitments into action. I have faith that together we can.”

German Red Cross Vice-President Volkmar Schön introducing today’s Council of Delegates resolution committing the Movement to scaling up anticipatory action. (Photo: DRK)