KATHMANDU, 30 January 2014: UNICEF and Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kathmandu today committing to working more closely together for emergency preparedness, response and early recovery. A strategic partnership between UNICEF and NRCS for effective humanitarian action and post-disaster recovery, the MOU seeks to build on the agencies’ history of co-operation and collaboration and establishes clear areas of responsibilities. The MoU also seeks to promote human dignity and non-discrimination in emergency or disaster situations.
In the agreement signed today, UNICEF will support NRCS in strengthening community capacity for emergency preparedness, response and recovery, including needs assessment; pre-positioning of emergency relief (non-food) items and its management; as well as conducting immediate post-disaster assessment and subsequent monitoring and reporting.
Similarly, NRCS will support UNICEF by providing immediate and periodic post-disaster need assessments; timely delivery of emergency relief items in different sectors and reporting.
“Since its inception in 1963, Nepal Red Cross Society has been involved in disaster relief. Later, NRCS broadened its scope and got involved in the disaster preparedness both at the organizational and the community level,” said Mr. Dev Ratna Dhakwa, Secretary General of Nepal Red Cross Society. “We are extremely pleased to partner with UNICEF and work jointly in getting prepared for and delivering assistance during disasters.”
“Children and women are particularly vulnerable during the aftermath of a disaster with potential risks of abuse, exploitation and even trafficking,” said Ms. Hanaa Singer, UNICEF Representative to Nepal. “This strategic alliance with Nepal Red Cross Society not only allows us to strengthen each other’s capacity to prepare for an emergency but also helps provide effective response and early recovery to ensure that rights of every child and woman are upheld during a humanitarian crisis.”
About NRCS:
Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) came into being in 1963. It was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1964 and affiliated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the same year. NRCS has, over the years, grown to be the largest humanitarian organization in Nepal, with its network of District Chapters (DCs) extended in each of the 75 districts of the country. District Chapters receive organizational support from more than 1400 Sub-Chapters and Co-operation Committees under them. A significant portion of its activities are also borne by students and youth volunteers of Nepal Junior and Youth Red Cross Circles organized at schools, colleges and communities. NRCS serves millions of people every year throughout the country with humanitarian activities.
About UNICEF:
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything they do. Together with their partners, UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For further information, please contact:
John Brittain, Chief of Communication, UNICEF Nepal. Tel 98510 54139
Email: jbrittain@unicef.org
Umesh Dhakal, Executive Director, Nepal Red Cross Society. Tel 98510 56369
Email: umesh@nrcs.org