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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

IFRC

The IFRC is the world's largest humanitarian network reaching millions through volunteers.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Magnus Brunner (Commissioner) and

1 Dec 2025 · EU migration and asylum policy

Meeting with Hadja Lahbib (Commissioner) and

27 Nov 2025 · • Humanitarian crises • Refugees • Gaza • Humanitarian aid • Egypt

Meeting with Radan Kanev (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Nov 2025 · Health policy

Meeting with Corinna Ullrich (Director Migration and Home Affairs) and Médecins Sans Frontières International and

6 Nov 2025 · Meeting between the European Commission and civil society representatives active in search and rescue activities.

Response to Union prevention, preparedness, and response plan for health crises

28 Oct 2025

The Red Cross EU Office with its members and IFRC, welcomes the Union Plan. Reaching over 200 mil people globally each year, the Red Cross offers valuable insights to strengthen health security through a people-centred, whole-of-society approach. 1.Community health had proven working in crisis (and beyond), echoing EUs call for societal preparedness and local expertise. This enables early action, limits escalation, and ensure no one is left behind. The Plan should integrate: - Social connectedness and preparedness through community-led actions. Timely provision by the Red Cross of Psychological First Aid and MHPSS has proven essential for affected populations. - Health preparedness must be cross-sectors and locally rooted. The Red Crosss Risk Communication & Community Engagement and Community-Based Surveillance build trust and promote informed, meaningful participation between staff and volunteers from different sectors. These should be core to empower communities to take ownership of their health and wellbeing. - Health literacy, combat misinformation, and ensure access to services, early detection and rapid response. Groups facing higher vulnerability (older people, refugees, persons with disabilities, pre-existing conditions, in hard-to-reach areas) must not be left behind. A common approach to health data is also needed, as current formats differ across entities. 2.Resilient health systems are essential for effective crisis response. COVID-19 showed that underfunded and underserved services (e.g. MHPSS) were most affected, worsening outcomes. At Union level, it is crucial to reinforce and protect the workforce, strengthen legal and operational frameworks, and ensure sustainable recovery. The Plan should promote: - Strong healthcare and social protection and up-to-date frameworks - incl. SOPs in cross-border areas to enable swift, coordinated responses. Harmonised recognition of professionals and work permits is key. As auxiliaries to national authorities, Red Cross Societies are vital, including in cross-border plans. Investment in safer hospitals, contingency and business continuity planning, contingency plans, robust health and social protection systems should be prioritized. - Protection of staff and volunteers health and wellbeing, vital to address labor shortages and maintain care continuity. The Plan should advance legal protection, task-sharing and -shifting, MHPSS, fair working conditions, and adequate training, including for cross-border and -sector collaboration. It should consider integrating health workers into civil protection structures and developing emergency capacities (e.g. disaster nursing, psychological support). 3.Effective preparedness and response depend on strong public-private-civil society partnerships. The Red Crosss work is based on collaboration, cross-border cooperation, knowledge sharing and joint exercises. The Union Plan should: - Ensure preparedness for cascading effects of other man-made and climate-related disasters by promoting cross-sector exercises (pandemic or mass casualty scenarios) and synergies with sectors such WASH and MHPSS, while integrating early warning systems. - Foster Public-Private-Civil Society Partnerships and ensure culturally sensitive logistics for timely assistance. The EU should support local capacity-building and cross-border cooperation to strengthen supply chains and ensure equitable resource access during crises. -Build on the Red Crosss auxiliary role to provide surge capacity in health system overloads and maintain strong links with local communities. Inclusion of vulnerable groups remains a core Red Cross mandate. -Create platforms for knowledge management between crises, as many resources developed during COVID-19 have since disappeared. The Red Cross is committed to working with the EU and partners to enhance health security. Together, we can ensure that future health crises are met with a coordinated, people-centred, and effective response.
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Meeting with Axel Hellman (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

27 Oct 2025 · European Water Resilience Strategy (EWRS)

Meeting with Simona Ardovino (Head of Unit Migration and Home Affairs)

22 Oct 2025 · Request by IFRC-RCEU to share concerns on Ocean Viking and Libyan Coast Guard incident in August 2025

Meeting with Valentina Auricchio (Head of Unit European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

7 Oct 2025 · The meeting was an opportunity to exchange on the implication of the upcoming Gang Suppression force and the legal classification of the conflict in Haiti

Meeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner) and

24 Sept 2025 · Health promotion, Prevention, in particular Cardiovascular Health Plan

Meeting with Lena Düpont (Member of the European Parliament)

24 Sept 2025 · Exchange on migration and asylum

Meeting with Erica Gerretsen (Director Directorate-General for International Partnerships) and

23 Sept 2025 · Partnership opportunities between IFRC and INTPA on blending and innovative financing

Red Cross urges EU to guarantee CVD care for all vulnerable groups

15 Sept 2025
Topic — EU developing comprehensive cardiovascular health plan focusing on prevention, early detection and treatment.
Message — The Red Cross requests the EU ensure non-discriminatory access to prevention and care regardless of legal status, address social and economic determinants of disease, expand community health worker roles, set quality standards for all care settings, and embed CVD care in emergency preparedness plans.1234
Why — This would expand their volunteer-based health programmes and strengthen their role as auxiliaries to public authorities.56
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Red Cross Urges EU To Increase Social Service Investment

10 Sept 2025
Topic — This consultation addresses the updated action plan for implementing European social rights.
Message — The EU must deliver a bold vision with new resources. They call for dedicated funding for not-for-profit providers. Procurement should prioritize quality over price.123
Why — Secure funding and quality-based contracts would stabilize their humanitarian service delivery.4
Impact — Marginalized groups like the homeless remain invisible due to narrow data collection.56
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Red Cross urges aligned policies for European climate resilience

3 Sept 2025
Topic — The initiative aims to create a framework for managing accelerating European climate risks.
Message — The Red Cross calls for policy coherence and predictable financing to scale up warning systems. They demand local actors be formally integrated into disaster management frameworks.123
Why — Simplified funding and integrated rules would enable faster, locally-led humanitarian interventions.4
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Response to Mid-Term Review: Social Economy Action Plan

16 Jul 2025

In summary, the RCEU answers to the five questions posed by the call for evidence as follows: 1. Significant achievements of the Social Economy Action Plan: The action plan has notably increased the recognition and visibility of social economy entities, particularly through successful initiatives such as the adoption of the Council Recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions, the launch of the Social Economy Gateway, and the establishment of the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation. 2.New developments since the adoption of the plan: There has been a marked increase in the recognition and visibility of the social economy across Europe, with several countries developing or revising their social economy laws and strategies. However, many social economy entities remain unaware of these policy developments or struggle to engage with them effectively. 3.Sectors for support: In our view, the health and social services sector and the circular economy sector can be most effectively supported by social economy business models. These models provide tailored, community-based services that address specific needs of the community and promote social inclusion. 4. Measures to be prioritized (2026-2030): Key measures should include ensuring the recognition of the social economy in legislative and policy developments (such as public procurement, state aid, funding, EU Preparedness Union Strategy, promotion of social economy internationally). Moreover, data collection and maintaining the momentum of the social economy should be prioritized. 5. Best practices: Achieving legal and policy coherence across sectors is essential, a good example of this practice is the inclusion of social economy considerations in the revision of the Waste Framework Directive. Strengthening and building on existing successful initiatives, such as the Social Economy Gateway and many Red Cross programmes such as the REDpreneur and Women Social Entrepreneurship Institute (WSEI), is also crucial for maximizing the impact of social economy entities. For our complete detailed contribution, please refer to the file attached.
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Meeting with Andrea Koulaimah (Director European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations) and

12 Jun 2025 · Exchange on the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and ongoing project of DG ECHO with German Red Cross

Meeting with Hadja Lahbib (Commissioner) and

5 Jun 2025 · - Humanitarian aid - Geo crisis - Reaching out to new donors

Response to European Affordable Housing Plan

4 Jun 2025

The Red Cross EU Office is a membership office representing the 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Based on our members practical insights and technical experience, we promote the dignity and well-being of people experiencing heightened vulnerabilities by facilitating and voicing common positions and recommendations towards the EU and its Member States. We welcome the political incentive to address the intensifying housing crisis affecting Europe via the development of an Affordable Housing Plan. Please find our key points of attention outlined in the attached document.
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Meeting with Valentina Auricchio (Head of Unit European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

4 Jun 2025 · Exchange of views on context and issues in LAC, priorities for 2026, funding prospects for 2026.

Meeting with Henrike Trautmann (Acting Director Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf) and

22 May 2025 · Update of humanitarian and early recovery situation in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza

Meeting with Francesca Pessina (Acting Head of Unit Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf)

20 May 2025 · Situation in occupied Palestinian territory

Meeting with Marjeta Jager (Deputy Director-General Directorate-General for International Partnerships)

19 May 2025 · Meeting requested by IFRC to discuss opportunities to build partnerships under the Global Gateway and the process to adopt a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027.

Meeting with Hilde Vautmans (Member of the European Parliament)

15 May 2025 · Red Cross activities

Meeting with Joanna Darmanin (Head of Unit European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

14 May 2025 · ICRC and ECHO exchanged views on the current state of play of compliance on IHL and discussed efforts to improve humanitarian diplomacy in view also of the upcoming European Humanitarian Forum and the upcoming High Level Dialogue with ICRC in July.

Meeting with Mélissa Camara (Member of the European Parliament) and Amnesty International Limited and

14 May 2025 · Mise en oeuvre du Pacte Asile Migration

Response to EU Strategy on medical countermeasures

9 May 2025

Recent global health emergenciesincluding COVID-19 (770+ mil cases, nearly 7 mil deaths), mpox (90,000+ cases), and unprecedented dengue and cholera outbreakshave revealed urgent gaps in medical countermeasure (MCM) strategies. Climate change and conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, continue to disrupt health systems and supply chains. AMR remains a growing threat, causing 1.27 mil deaths annually, with projections reaching 10 mil by 2050. These challenges call for coordinated, whole-of-society, cross-sectoral approaches. The ongoing negotiations of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and revisions to the IHR (2005) underscore the need for equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, as well as better surveillance and global solidarity. An effective EU strategy must integrate both technological capacity and community-based readinessensuring surge capacity, local engagement, and last-mile delivery through trusted partners such as the Red Cross. MCM deployment relies on efficient logistics. To avoid barriers, emergency measures must be targeted and exempt critical supplies from restrictions, duties, and raise in prices. The EC notes that every 1 spent on prevention saves up to 4 in response. Mapping private sector capacities and enabling knowledge-sharing (e.g., via EU-hosted platforms) will improve collaboration and preparedness, especially in technical sectors like pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Authorities, private sector and operational partners must collaborate transparently and flexibly, ensuring no barriers to the rapid delivery of critical supplies during crises. MCMs present operational challenges: limited shelf life, cold-chain needs, high costs, and complex procurement rules. Legal and regulatory frameworks often restrict organizations from purchasing, stockpiling, or deploying sensitive products like pharmaceuticals. In addition, storage, training, and transport require specialized knowledge and sustained funding. Addressing these barriers demands legal exemptions, financial support, and procurement reform to enable both state and non-state actors to contribute meaningfully. Without long-term investment and flexibility, many actors remain underutilized in preparedness and response efforts. The 2024 UNGA resolution (A/C.6/79/L.16) to develop a binding treaty on disaster response offers a timely opportunity to strengthen international legal frameworks and ensure access to humanitarian assistance. For the EU, this complements efforts to institutionalize equitable MCM access and cross-border coordination. Medical adherence is very important for the Red Cross, incl. for health emergencies. Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE) must be core to any MCM strategy. Barriers to access information along with misinformation and distrust hinder health interventions. RCCE builds trust, empowers communities, increases compliance and provides means to populations to follow protocols. MCM strategies should require RCCE planning and implementation. Supporting the health and care workforce and frontliners through decent work, MHPSS, and priority access to MCMs is also essential. With extensive experience in health services provision and emergency response, the Red Cross ensures essential support from local communities to national governments and international institutions. E.g. during COVID-19, the Red Cross distributed over 100 million PPE and provided logistics support in 100+ countries, including with EU support. Red Cross is embedded in national emergency systems, cooperating with civil protection and defence, healthcare systems and providers, the private sector, and others. Assets: trusted local presence, trained staff and volunteers, logistics capacity (procurement, warehousing, transport), and sectoral expertise. We stand ready to support the EU MCM strategy from grassroots delivery to cross-border coordination, ensuring MCM are accessible, actionable, and supported by strong community adherence.
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Response to Communication on the EU Stockpiling Strategy

9 May 2025

An effective EU stockpiling strategy must combine reserves of essential supplies, rapid personnel mobilisation, and robust logistics to ensure timely response, particularly in remote areas. National Red Cross (RC), embedded in their emergency systems, are key partners in stockpiling and civil protection, supporting governments, health providers, and private actors. Public-private cooperation is critical. Commercial supply chains are often disrupted during crisis due to labour shortages, price spikes, and customs delays. The EU should develop legal frameworks for public-private-operational cooperation with pre-agreed procedures for customs clearance and logistics. Pre-cleared lists of essential goods (e.g. WASH units, vehicles, shelter) accelerate rapid deployment. In case of need for goods imported from outside the EU, all the above and registration exemptions (e.g. for emergency vehicles) can also reduce illicit trade. Stockpiling must be needs-based, risk-informed and anticipatory. Supplies should align with country risk profiles and be based on vulnerability assessment. E.g. when no natural market for a vaccine is possible, as during Ebola outbreaks, stockpiling is the only way to ensure access for people at the highest risk, incl. frontline workers. Coordinated foresight, shared data systems, and cross-sector planning reduce improvisation. EU-led coordination, in which RC is directly involved and/or partnering with their Member States (e.g. German RC in rescEU stockpile), fosters valuable networks. Yet, lack of harmonization, fragmented product lists, and administrative hurdles hamper efficiency. Positive practices include adaptive procurement based on market conditions and coordination meetings. Persistent challenges include stockpile underuse, expiry-related waste, and complicated donation processes due to language barriers and shelf-life requirements. E.g. legal clarity on expiry extension would help reduce unnecessary destruction. The Baltic Civil Defense Project (EE, LV, LT) offers a replicable EU-funded model for joint exercises, First Aid/Psychosocial First Aid training, the X-STOCK platform for real-time stock visibility, and standardized cross-border protocols. At national level, among others, Norways Joint Resource Register provides a good model integrating assets from public, private, and voluntary sectors with real-time data on availability and location. Part of RCs work is to advocate for expanding access across civil protection stakeholders to avoid duplicative systems. Many RC branches are also integrated in local emergency planning. RC also works beyond EU borders under a unified humanitarian mandate with strong local partnerships. The X-STOCK platform, funded by the EU, Austrian Development Cooperation and Austrian RC, has improved stock transparency and deployment across 5 countries (AT, BG, HR, ME, MK and RS). French RCs 3 Oceans Project supported by AFD, enhances community-based disaster preparedness across the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and South Pacific. The Norwegian RCs field hospital, backed by the Norwegian Gvt, is pre-positioned at the ICRC hub in Kenya for rapid deployment. Furthermore, as a global logistics provider, IFRC promotes regional pre-positioning and local supply chain integration, which boosts efficiency and supports local economies during crises. Building population resilience in emergencies is a critical government responsibility. Key areas include limits of state aid, household stockpiling, basic first aid, support for vulnerable groups, and assisting emergency services. In complementarity with the authorities, RC supports household-level preparedness, including public awareness campaigns and training (online and in-person), guidance on stockpiling, first aid and psychosocial first aid. A Europe-wide exchange of best practices is recommended to inform national strategies. We stand ready to support the design and implementation of an inclusive EU stockpiling strategy.
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Meeting with Annukka Ojala (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu), Miron Podgorean (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu)

29 Apr 2025 · Social inclusion and economy

Meeting with Hans Ulrich Goessl (Head of Unit European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

24 Apr 2025 · Exchange of views on the Preparedness Union Strategy

Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

15 Apr 2025 · Water Resilience Strategy

Meeting with Gerassimos Thomas (Director-General Taxation and Customs Union) and

3 Apr 2025 · Physical meeting - VAT exemption for exemption for goods and services purchased by international bodies

Meeting with Joanna Darmanin (Head of Unit European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

27 Mar 2025 · Update on EU-ICRC Strategic Dialogue (SD) and DG ECHO-ICRC High-level dialogue (HLD)

Meeting with Luis Planas Herrera (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall), Paulina Dejmek Hack (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

27 Mar 2025 · Water resilience strategy

Meeting with Birgit Sippel (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Amnesty International Limited and

17 Mar 2025 · Facilitation directive; entry-exit-system

Meeting with Joanna Darmanin (Head of Unit European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

6 Mar 2025 · Discussion on EU-ICRC Strategic Dialogue (SD) and DG ECHO-ICRC High-level dialogue (HLD)

Red Cross calls for quality over price in procurement

4 Mar 2025
Topic — An evaluation of EU directives governing public procurement and concession contract awards.
Message — The Red Cross urges the Commission to make quality-based criteria the default standard for public tenders. They also seek the removal of contract duration limits for social services to ensure continuity of care.12
Why — Removing these restrictions would lower administrative costs and provide long-term stability for humanitarian service providers.3
Impact — Private firms that focus exclusively on low-cost bids would lose their current competitive edge.4
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Response to European Water Resilience Strategy

3 Mar 2025

Europe faces intensifying climate challenges, as seen in 2024 with the Valencia floods, the destructive landslides in Mayotte, and the Central European floods. Between 2021 and 2024, economic losses from climate-related disasters in Europe exceeded 175 billion, affecting millions of people and resulting in over 1000 fatalities. Climate change increases rain intensity, making extreme events more frequent. Despite investments in prevention systems, regional disparities persist. Every 1 invested in preparedness saves 4-7 in emergency response. The EIB's "Climate Adaptation Investment Assessment" estimates the climate proofing critical infrastructure could prevent losses of 100-120 billion per year by 2050, representing a cost-benefit ratio of nearly 1:3. Water scarcity now affects the entire continent. Southern regions face 40% reductions in freshwater over 30 years, while Central European countries experience unprecedented drought conditions. According to the Joint Research Centres report "Drought in Europe - August 2022" and the "Economic Impacts of Droughts and Water Scarcity in European Agriculture" assessment, drought-related agricultural losses in the EU averaged 7.7 billion annually between 2010-2020, with projections showing this could increase to 9-14 billion annually by 2050 without adaptation measures. Approximately 30% of EU population now lives in water-stressed areas. Climate models predict 30-45% reduction in summer river flows across Southern Europe by 2050, 30% decrease in groundwater recharge in Mediterranean regions, and Alpine glaciers losing 50-90% volume by 2100. Impacts include agricultural productivity decline, tourism disruption, and GDP reductions in water-stressed regions. It is impossible to deliver safe health care without access to water. Interlinkages between water and health determinants should be addressed. Water scarcity intensifies competition between sectors. Hospitals require significant water daily, with usage increasing during health crises. Without access to safe, clean water, nutrition, hygiene and disease prevention are at risk. In the EU, the agricultural sector accounts for 46 % of the total annual water use, of which most is used in southern Europe and 60% of EU food production requiring irrigation. Energy production depends heavily on water for cooling, while manufacturing and pharmaceuticals require substantial water resources. Meanwhile, 60% of EU wetlands are degraded, reducing natural water purification and flood protection services. Europe requires an integrated resilience strategy with transboundary basin-level planning for the 60% of EU freshwater in shared basins. Nature-based solutions can reduce flood risks by 30% while improving water quality. Water pricing reforms could reduce wasteful consumption while generating funds for infrastructure. Expanding wastewater reuse would address significant agricultural irrigation needs. Strengthened early warning systems with community-level implementation and anticipatory action protocols tied to forecasts can reduce disaster impacts substantially. Healthcare facilities must be prioritized in water security planning, with redundant supply systems and emergency protocols. Comprehensive water resilience and disaster risk management requires substantial investment over the next decade, but avoided costs from disasters, productivity losses, and health impacts exceed this amount. With coordinated action across Member States and community engagement, the EU can transform the water crisis in opportunity for innovation, job creation, and sustainable development, protecting its citizens, economy, and natural environment from the impacts of climate change. International cooperation and fairness over water resources are key, in line with SDG 6 and must be supported by the EU in whole-of-society approach. The Red Cross EU Office and its members stand ready to contribute to the definition and implement the European Water Resilience Strategy.
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Meeting with Erwan Marteil (Head of Unit European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

24 Feb 2025 · Follow-up discussion on Red Roses Project and Population Preparedness

Meeting with Hans Ulrich Goessl (Head of Unit European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

17 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views on the upcoming Preparedness Union Strategy

Meeting with Hadja Lahbib (Commissioner) and

13 Jan 2025 · The Commissioner met with ICRC head of delegation Juerg Eglin, who briefed her on the humanitarian situation, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, and ICRC main activities, notably on protection and visit of prisoners.

Meeting with Tineke Strik (Member of the European Parliament) and Amnesty International Limited and

16 Oct 2024 · LIBE Civil Society Meeting

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and Amnesty International Limited and

16 Oct 2024 · Cooperation on LIBE related matters

Meeting with Erik Marquardt (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Oct 2024 · CEAS Implementation

Meeting with Marit Maij (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION and

14 Oct 2024 · Roundtable with CSOs for input for ESF Plus

Meeting with Johan Danielsson (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Sept 2024 · Svenska Röda Korsets prioriteringar inför kommande mandatperiod

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner)

15 May 2024 · The meeting of Commissioner Urpilainen and Secretary-General of the Finnish Red Cross Eero Rämö encompassed topics from the current political discussion in Europe to the situation in the Sahel region and the topical matters concerning the portfolio

Meeting with Alice Kuhnke (Member of the European Parliament)

7 May 2024 · Gala Sustainable fashion

Meeting with Stella Kyriakides (Commissioner) and

9 Apr 2024 · Introductory meeting

Meeting with Maciej Popowski (Director-General European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations)

19 Mar 2024 · Humanitarian innovative funding

Response to Review of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)

19 Feb 2024

The Red Cross EU Office, bringing together the 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), welcomes this consultation and supports the EU in seeking reinforced global-to-local partnerships to address health threats. Through their auxiliary role to public authorities and thanks to their sustainable local presence, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers contributes significantly to individual, community, national, regional and global health and stability through effective public health emergency prevention and control. Increasingly, national governments are looking towards the EU for support in addressing the health and social crises which are pushing their systems to breaking point. We welcome the fact that the EU and its Member States have substantially expanded their role in the EU and global health. The health, well-being and wealth of the EU citizens and partner communities depends on the EUs ability to effectively tackle health inequalities, prevent and address health threats strengthened and resilient health systems. Aligned with the EUs commitment to protect health across all EU policies (Art.168 of TFEU), we encourage the EU and the Member States to continue to prioritise health in the upcoming political and operational agenda, including through specialised agencies and bodies such as the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA). To boost the essential role the EU can play in addressing public health emergencies, improving resilient health systems and work towards leaving no one behind, we believe that more efforts are needed to establish effective and efficient coordination between EU agencies (with special mention to the UCPM and the EHRC), the Member States' health systems, the civil society organisations and third country partners. We support the stronger role the EU wants to play in global health security but we raise attention on the risk of instrumentalisation of health response and we call the EU to ensure that communities and local actors are equal partners and active participants across all prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases. In this framework, the EU should support the development, strengthening and implementation of national and international legal and institutional frameworks for the management of public health emergencies, including the integration of public health emergencies with disaster risk management frameworks. When addressing health emergencies, we encourage the EU to adopt whole-of society and One Health approaches, safeguards and human rights during states of emergencies, human mobility and migration, protection of vulnerable groups and inclusion of people with all identities and abilities, and legal facilities for response. These frameworks are also key to identify all relevant stakeholders, roles and coordination mechanisms in public health emergencies preparedness and response, beyond the health sector. Without a strong legal basis, preparedness and response efforts can be uncoordinated and ineffective, often delaying urgent help to people in need. More information on our approach to Global Health Security can be found at this link: https://www.ifrc.org/document/global-health-security Please find attached the IFRC Guidance on Law and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. We remain available for further exchange.
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Response to ESF+ mid-term evaluation

12 Feb 2024

The Red Cross EU Office is a membership office representing the 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). We help to coordinate relations between our members and EU decision-makers and stakeholders, sharing their extensive experience and expertise in supporting vulnerable people and communities within and outside the EU. Transitioning from FEAD into ESF+ during an ongoing crisis scenario has not been easy for many National Red Cross Societies. National Red Cross Societies who successfully implemented the FEAD 2014-20 programme, have highlighted the lack of transparency in the design and planning of the new material support operational programmes in the new ESF+ 2021-2027. The current accumulation of unresolved crises, from Covid19 pandemic, the international armed conflict in between Russia and Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis, has further intensified the pressure on social and health services across Europe. Many of these social services providers, now responsible for implementing the operational programmes on material support under the new ESF+, have suffered from a constant lack of investment across the EU which can be traced to the 2008 economic crisis. Considering the early stage in the current implementation of the current ESF+ 2021-2027 programme, National Red Cross Societies in the EU recommend the European Commission: 1. Strengthen the focus on inclusion of people from vulnerable communities 2. Structural and Investment funds should not address crisis but long-term socio-economic challenges 3. Increase co-funding rates for associations and non-for-profits 4. Enhance the visibility and recognition of non-for-profit actors as the main actors implementing food aid & material support 5. Prevent unnecessary categorisation of vulnerable communities
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Response to Managing EU climate risks

12 Jan 2024

The Red Cross EU Office and its membership recognise the need to improve climate risk management in the EU and globally public awareness of climate risks. We look forward to the EU Climate Risk Assessment and the communication on societal resilience in managing risks, which we consider relevant for EU internal and external action. Climate change, with its effects compounded and amplified as a result of a degraded environment, is pushing the trend of increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events and bringing gradual changes in precipitation patterns and temperatures. These events take lives and directly affect people's health and livelihoods. Climate analysis should identify hazards to be intensified by climate. Programmes made from risk-informed decisions are more likely to address the vulnerabilities of communities and build their resilience, in line with the Early Warnings for All Initiative. Disaster Preparedness must be prioritised, optimising the quality and interoperability of national and regional response capacities. Red Cross Societies stand as key partners to the national authorities in their auxiliary capacity. The objective of EU action when managing risks must be to ensure climate and development-related investments build the resilience of the most vulnerable and at-risk populations to current and future risks. The EU should include local actors managing risks at the local level to ensure that legislation, policies, and investments are directly informed by local knowledge. It is crucial to strengthen the role of local actors, frontline risk managers and responders, and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change and promote a resilient environment. Furthermore, procedures and regulations should be adapted to make climate funds accessible to local actors in the EU and globally. The communication should also stress the need to address compounding and cascading risks, rapid unplanned urbanisation, and a degraded environment. Technical capacities to make accurate weather forecasts are developing, especially for impact-based forecasting. This provides opportunities to prevent or reduce the impact of hazards by taking anticipatory action. Investing in people-centred multihazard Early Warning systems can save lives and livelihoods, as recognised by the Early Warnings for All Initiative. Developing and strengthening policies and legal and operational frameworks is crucial to effectively managing rising risks and addressing them in national strategies. While the European disaster management framework is advanced, substantial legislative preparedness in Disaster Law is still needed at the national level. Laws, policies and institutional arrangements have a crucial role to play in supporting all aspects of disaster risk management, including disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response. Authorities should ensure updated disaster laws and effective Early Warning Early Action systems, outlining coordination structures, and the roles and responsibilities of all actors. National planning should be strengthened and coordination across government bodies and local authorities should be enhanced. Policy coherence must be ensured by integrating climate risks, including health risks, into all investments and initiatives. The EU should engage Member States and partner countries to strengthen health and community, with its effects compounded and amplified as a result of a degraded environment disaster management systems to make them capable of facing the consequences of climate change. In line with broader EU policy directions, the initiative must consider the important role that robust, healthy environments and ecosystems play in reducing impacts from the effects of climate change. Well-functioning aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems can vastly reduce the impacts of climate change by reducing the risk of floods, droughts, high winds, and heat waves. We stand ready to discuss further these recommendation
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Meeting with Erik Marquardt (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Save the Children Europe and

15 Nov 2023 · CEAS and APR

Meeting with Róża Thun Und Hohenstein (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

26 Oct 2023 · Instrumentalisation Regulation

Meeting with Birgit Sippel (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Save the Children Europe and

12 Oct 2023 · New Pact on Migration and Asylum

Red Cross urges flexible eligibility and predictable AMIF funding

25 Sept 2023
Topic — Evaluation of the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund's effectiveness and implementation.
Message — Red Cross requests flexible eligibility rules to assist all migrants regardless of legal status. They advocate for predictable transnational calls and reduced financial barriers for civil society. Implementing partners should join monitoring committees to help design programs matching ground needs.1234
Why — Flexibility would allow the Red Cross to follow its mandate without discriminating between users.5
Impact — Undocumented migrants and those on the move lose vital humanitarian aid under current restrictions.6
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Red Cross urges flexible migration funding and less bureaucracy

25 Sept 2023
Topic — Evaluation of the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund's effectiveness and implementation.
Message — The Red Cross seeks more flexibility in eligibility rules to include all migrants regardless of status. They also request better pre-financing and predictable calls for transnational projects.12
Why — Flexible rules would allow the Red Cross to support all migrants while reducing its financial risks.34
Impact — Strict rules effectively force service providers to discriminate against vulnerable undocumented migrants.56
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Meeting with Alice Kuhnke (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children (Missing Children Europe) and International La Strada Association

12 Jun 2023 · Stakeholder consultation anti-trafficking

Meeting with Renaud Savignat (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen) and WWF European Policy Programme and

25 May 2023 · MMF review process

Meeting with Nacho Sánchez Amor (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Apr 2023 · DROI Mission to UN

Meeting with Birgit Sippel (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Danish Refugee Council Brussels and AWO Bundesverband e.V.

27 Mar 2023 · Screening Regulation (staff level)

Red Cross urges EU to prioritize victim support in trafficking rules

21 Mar 2023
Topic — The European Commission is consulting on the revision of the Anti-Trafficking Directive.
Message — The organization advocates for a victim-centred approach focusing on support and prevention. They recommend making the non-punishment of victims unconditional and improving access to compensation.12
Why — Better coordination through national mechanisms would streamline their delivery of humanitarian assistance.34
Impact — Undocumented residents remain vulnerable when policies fail to address their social exclusion.5
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Meeting with Tineke Strik (Member of the European Parliament)

24 Feb 2023 · Refugee Protection and Migration Control in the region

Response to A comprehensive approach to mental health

15 Feb 2023

We welcome the European Commissions ambition of developing one single initiative on mental health and recommend the following actions. The attached document will provide more details on each recommendation. Prevention-oriented approach: just one essential aspect of a comprehensive approach to mental health The Red Cross supports the ambition to adopt a prevention-oriented approach to mental health, the understanding of prevention should be broad and embrace the building of resilience. The comprehensive approach must seek to address interlinked mental health and psychosocial issues: from prevention and promotion to early identification and access to mental health and psychosocial support, addressing existing unmet needs through comprehensive and integrated care and support for people with mental health and psychosocial needs, responding to crises and their long-term consequences and preparedness for future emergencies. This approach should also include capacity building, preparedness and support for first responders, health and social workers working with and for vulnerable people. Psychosocial wellbeing and mental health support: a continuum that must be taken into account for a holistic approach to mental health The Red Cross welcomes the Commissions holistic approach, which acknowledges that mental health is impacted by a mix of individual, family, and socioeconomic and environmental circumstances. Nevertheless, these determinants must be further highlighted by linking mental health with psychosocial and subsequent wellbeing, describing the interconnection between the individual and their environment, interpersonal relationships, community and/or culture or social context. The initiative must enhance the development of a layered system of complementary and culturally-appropriate support that meets the social and psychological needs of individuals, families and communities which is key to organizing mental health and psychosocial support. Loneliness as a high risk factor for mental health, needs to be considered in the design of mental health strategies, considering the perspectives for the region in terms of aging and its frequent connection to a diminishing social network. Improving early detection, screening, access to treatment and care of mental health problems: emphasising vulnerable groups and community health workers to leave no one behind The Red Cross welcomes the mention of young people, older people and vulnerable groups, but regrets that these groups are referred to as a cross-cutting issue among many others. The specific challenges and needs of the most vulnerable - such as migrants or other third country nationals, LGBTQI+, people in, or who have experienced detention, isolated people, people living in rural areas, older people, people with disabilities, youth and children, people experiencing homelessness, people leaving in precarious situation, people suffering from addictions to mention just a few - must be a key workstream of the EU through an effective people-centered approach. While focusing on the most vulnerable and their higher risk of developing poor mental health, the impacts of lack of access and/or quality of the health system need to be addressed as priority issue. The important role that Community health workers play, acting as catalyst to many services, needs to be highlighted in the initiative as it can be critical in the outcomes of mental health wellbeing. Task shifting can reduce the burden of already overwhelmed health systems. Point of attention Red Cross strongly opposes having # of psychiatric beds as an indicator to measure progress in terms of attention to mental health care and proposes that it is replaced by # of community-based mental health services. While acknowledging the need to have psychiatric beds, long-term treatment must be delivered in integrated community-based services and progressively deinstitutionalize patients from psychiatric facilities
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Response to New Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean

7 Feb 2023

The New Agenda for EU relations with Latin America and the Caribbean should address the most pressing needs. HEALTH INEQUALITIES are among the biggest challenges in the region. Enabling access to health care services and addressing the broader determinants of health will contribute to eradicating inequalities, advancing social cohesion and improving human development. Apart from direct health support, considering health and well-being in all sectors of intervention should be a priority. This includes supporting integrated programmes and building the capacity of governments, especially to address the needs of minorities. The New Agenda should promote a rights-based approach to health and emphasise sexual and reproductive health and mental health and psychological well-being. with a specific focus on people with disabilities, children and women and girls The second biggest challenge in the region is MULTIPLE COMPOUNDING and CASCADING RISKS, natural and man-made, exacerbated by the impacts of CLIMATE CHANGE, that call upon a holistic, risk-informed and multi-sectoral approach. Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) policies must be horizontally and vertically integrated and especially take the most vulnerable population groups and their specific needs and capacities into account. The Green Transition should tackle all dimensions of life affected by the climate crisis, such as physical and mental health, food, water and economic security, stability and peace. We firmly ask the EU to commit to the LOCALIZATION agenda and empower the different parts of the population to be agents of change as many capacities, adaptation strategies and knowledge exist in the region. A participatory approach ensures that actions are grounded and sustained through more resilient local actors, authorities and communities to better prevent, mitigate, prepare, anticipate, withstand and recover from frequent and recurring shocks and stresses. This approach strengthens the effectiveness, long-term resilience and adaptation capacity of local communities. CSOs, such as the Red Cross, can play a crucial role in their capacity to directly deliver local services, particularly in areas where the provision is lacking, in reaching hard-to-reach groups and in fostering social inclusion, among others. The EU-LAC cooperation should be based on a bottom-up approach where communities and CSOs put their local know-how to use. EU relations towards LAC should contribute to SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES by promoting new livelihood opportunities and income-generating activities, including reducing energy poverty. Programmes should support sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship with a particular focus on womens engagement and empowerment, assuring their specific needs are addressed through an integrated gender approach. The New Agenda should strengthen social protection systems, which contribute to reducing inequalities and providing equitable access to mechanisms addressing poverty and the protection of livelihoods. Policy reforms to assure access for survivors to adapted protection mechanisms and justice are needed. EU support to LAC countries when addressing the needs of MIGRANTS should have an integrated and holistic trans-sectoral approach to meet the basic humanitarian and longer-term needs of migrants. Programmes should be needs-driven, respect the rights and dignity of migrants irrespective of status, ensure access to basic services for migrants, and aim first and foremost at addressing migrants needs and vulnerabilities and advancing their rights. The New Agenda shall adhere to the following frameworks: PRINCIPLED humanitarian and development action, the triple NEXUS, and be inclusive, leaving no one behind. Evidence can be found here: https://www.ifrc.org/es/document/ruta-hacia-equidad https://www.ifrc.org/es/press-release/reporte-ifrc-es-improbable-cumplir-las-metas-reducci%C3%B3n-pobreza-trabajo-decente-y
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Meeting with Tineke Strik (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Dec 2022 · Asylum and Migration

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner) and OXFAM INTERNATIONAL EU ADVOCACY OFFICE and

1 Dec 2022 · Speech at the 2nd GAP III Structured Dialogue with CSOs

Meeting with Renaud Savignat (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen) and OXFAM INTERNATIONAL EU ADVOCACY OFFICE and

9 Nov 2022 · Global Health Strategy

Response to EU strategic Framework for Global Health

19 Sept 2022

The Red Cross EU Office, representing the 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), supports the EU in advocating for equitable, universal and high-quality healthcare coverage and seeking reinforced global-to-local partnerships to address health threats. Particularly, we welcome the preparation of a new EU Global Health Strategy, and we are pleased to provide inputs to the drafting of the Strategy and stand ready to take part in its implementation. The EU priorities – legislations, policies and funding decisions – have a direct impact on our work, as well as on our capacity to respond to people in need, both in the EU and partner countries. In their unique role as auxiliaries to public authorities and as member of the world’s largest volunteers-based network, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), play a key role in the implementation of EU priorities, and this includes the EU Global Health Strategy. To boost the essential role the EU can play in global health, support the increase of access to healthcare services and work towards leaving no one behind, we present the following recommendations for a comprehensive and ambitious EU Global Health Strategy: - Address the wider determinants of health, reduce inequities with a long-term perspective focused on sustainability - Ensure a needs-based and people-centred approach to health, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable communities inside and outside the EU - Promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Primary Health Care (PHC), including community health systems, for an equitable and long-lasting access to health - Bolster public health systems strengthening, with a particular focus on accessible, affordable, financially sustainable and self-sufficient community health systems - Strengthen the localisation of the health workforce, including CSOs, to strengthen trust between communities and public health institutions - Support the strengthening of national and international health legal and operational frameworks - Guarantee adequate resources for mental health and psychosocial support services - Tackle the impacts of climate change on health and the compounding risks - Implement efficient strategies on community engagement, integrating the One Health approach, contributing to global health security - Foster innovation and digitalisation within health-service, particularly in areas where the health provision is lagging, capitalising on CSOs expertise The Red Cross' key recommendations for the EU Global Health Strategy are detailed in the document attached.
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Meeting with Mónica Silvana González (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and CARE International Aisbl

8 Sept 2022 · Meeting for preparation of INI report

Meeting with Grace O'Sullivan (Member of the European Parliament) and GOAL Global and Concern Worldwide

30 Jun 2022 · EU's implementation and delivery of the SDGs

Meeting with Janez Lenarčič (Commissioner) and

30 Jun 2022 · Ukraine / global impact on food security. The Horn of Africa. Anticipatory action. Nexus. Multiannual funding and public-private partnerships.

Meeting with Lena Düpont (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Caritas Europa and

19 Apr 2022 · Asylum and Migration

Meeting with Andreas Schieder (Member of the European Parliament)

31 Mar 2022 · Exchange on Western Sahara

Meeting with Ylva Johansson (Commissioner) and

17 Mar 2022 · Situation in Ukraine and Member States under pressure

Meeting with Lena Düpont (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Caritas Europa and

15 Mar 2022 · Asylum and Migration

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner) and Climate Action Network Europe and

15 Feb 2022 · Opening speech at the session of the Africa-Europe Week CSOs-LAs Forum

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner) and Climate Action Network Europe and

1 Feb 2022 · Roundtable with CSO: Preparation of the AU-EU Summit and the Africa-Europe Week 2022

Response to Proposal for a Regulation on establishing a Climate Action Social Facility

18 Nov 2021

The Red Cross EU Office welcomes that with the proposal to establish a Social Climate Fund, the European Commission acknowledges the impact the proposed “Fit for 55" package will have on vulnerable groups. It is positive that the European Commission recognises the introduction of an Emissions Trading System (ETS) for buildings and road transport will affect disproportionally households with lower average income. Support to lower income households and vulnerable groups is important for the public buy in of the new instruments and therefore vital for a successful implementation. Nevertheless, the proposal leaves many uncertainties on how to identify and to reach vulnerable groups and how they will benefit from the resources provided. With the proposed support measures, the Social Climate Fund takes a one-dimensional approach on how to support vulnerable groups. Instead of focusing only on additional costs in transport use and energy prices, secondary costs caused by the new ETS need to be considered. Additionally, more incentives for using renewable energy sources and increase energy efficiency should be provided. In terms of implementation, Member States decide how to implement the Social Climate Fund and what measures to support. With the presented proposal, there are very little obligations for Member States on how to compensate for the social effects caused by the emissions trading for building and road transport.
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Meeting with Raül Hernández Sagrera (Cabinet of Commissioner Ylva Johansson)

8 Jun 2021 · Migration cooperation

Meeting with Iratxe García Pérez (Member of the European Parliament)

7 May 2021 · The current situation of the Red Cross

Response to Social Economy Action Plan

26 Apr 2021

The Red Cross EU Office representing 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom and the IFRC, works in the interests of the most vulnerable. With providing support services and need-based assistance, we aim to improve the situation of people in need. Together with other social service providers, the Red Cross forms a crucial part of the social economy. 1. Acknowledgement of not-for-profit actors and non-profit business models • With their business model of reinvesting profits, non-profit organisations (NGOs) provide an important contribution to the common good. By promoting volunteering, they contribute to active citizenship and democratic values. The Commission pointed out the value of NGOs in the social economy in the Communication on the Social Business Initiative (COM 2011, 682) – with the Social Economy Action Plan we support a continuation of this approach. • The Covid-19 pandemic has put pressure on non-profit social service providers: at the same time, they face an increasing demand for social support, while they have to deal with limitations to conduct and finance their work. NGOs are often excluded from national financial support schemes as they are mostly tailored to SMEs and profit-oriented businesses. -> The Action Plan should aim at a bigger visibility of non-profit actors as part of the Social Economy and the impact the Covid-19 Pandemic had/will continue to have on them. It should formulate recommendations how to strengthen the non-profit sector in the crisis and how to use NextGenerationEU resources accordingly. 2. Stronger focus on social impact • The Social Business Initiative (SBI) has been focusing on legal frameworks and access to public and private funding. With the Social Economy Action Plan, the Red Cross would like to see a bigger focus on the impact the social economy is having on the people, to whom they provide services. Impact orientation and measurement should become key indicators when promoting social economy business models. • The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) is a good example to showcase the impact social economy actors can provide. To a huge part this programme has been implemented by non-profit social service providers, including various Red Cross National Societies. The mid-term evaluation showed that through the implementation of non-profit actors more than 15 million people received support. -> The Social Economy Action Plan should put a stronger focus on the impact created by social economy actors, with profit orientation and social impact being the main indicators. 3. Legal Frameworks should strengthen the role of non-profit actors • EU-Regulations regarding the Internal Market and Competition Law have an impact on the development of the social economy and can create challenges, particularly for non-profit organisations. • National, regional, and local authorities should be sensitized for social aspects in public procurement procedures. Best practices on socially responsible public-procurement have to be promoted stronger. 4. Better access to funding • Access to funding remains a challenge for NGOs. National funding schemes i.e. to promote social innovation often focus on SMEs and exclude NGOs. • For EU Funding Programmes like the European Social Fund + (ESF+), the high administrative burdens as well as disadvantageous co-financing rates are preventing particularly small organisations from applying for those programmes. • Apart from ESF+, non-profit social service providers should play a more prominent role in related EU funding schemes like the European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The development and/or improvement of social infrastructure as part of regional development should be strengthened in those programmes. • An inclusion of social objectives into EU Taxonomy can foster private investments.
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Meeting with Lena Düpont (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

18 Mar 2021 · family reunification

Meeting with Kim-Tobias Eling (Cabinet of Commissioner Janez Lenarčič)

2 Mar 2021 · Cooperation between IFRC and the European Commission

Meeting with Lena Düpont (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Caritas Europa and Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants

23 Feb 2021 · return directives and migration

Meeting with Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness) and OXFAM INTERNATIONAL EU ADVOCACY OFFICE and

18 Feb 2021 · Briefing on the current humanitarian situation in Myanmar

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

28 Jan 2021 · Meeting on EU and Red Cross activities in response to the pandemic as well as social protection and inclusion in addressing the effects of the crisis.

Response to EU humanitarian action: new challenges, same principles

22 Dec 2020

National Red Cross Societies in the EU (EUNS), the IFRC secretariat (IFRC) and the Red Cross EU Office (RCEU) welcome the opportunity to provide inputs to the Communication on the EU’s Humanitarian Aid. In addition to the feedback that was provided to DG ECHO at the end of November based on the request received, please find below attached some additional inputs on the topics covered in the roadmap.
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Meeting with Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

9 Dec 2020 · Sanctions

Meeting with Alexandra Cupsan-Catalin (Cabinet of Commissioner Ylva Johansson), Raül Hernández Sagrera (Cabinet of Commissioner Ylva Johansson)

11 Oct 2020 · VTC: Follow-up on meeting between ICRC President Maurer and Commissioner Johansson

Response to European Child Guarantee

7 Oct 2020

The Red Cross EU Office supports the objective of the European Commission to reduce the high numbers of children living in poverty and social exclusion, and welcomes initiatives focusing on the improvement of basic service provision. Ensuring access to basic services is crucial to overcome discrimination and inequality already at an early age. We encourage the European Commission to continue consulting with the social service providers active in the area of working with children, including the Red Cross, for establishing a Child Guarantee and involve the very practitioners in upcoming EU initiatives, including at Member State level.
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Red Cross urges EU to prioritize human dignity in migration pact

27 Aug 2020
Topic — The European Commission is developing a new framework for sustainable migration and asylum management.
Message — The Red Cross demands that human dignity and wellbeing guide the new framework. All migrants should access essential services regardless of their legal status. The EU must also protect humanitarian workers from being penalized for providing aid.123
Why — Protecting humanitarian space reduces the risk of Red Cross workers facing criminal prosecution.4
Impact — Proponents of strict border enforcement lose the ability to use detention for deterrence.5
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Meeting with Ylva Johansson (Commissioner) and

10 Jul 2020 · VTC: Situation of migrants

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner) and OXFAM INTERNATIONAL EU ADVOCACY OFFICE and

28 May 2020 · Roundtable with Civil Society (NGOs)-The EU global response to COVID-19

Meeting with Ylva Johansson (Commissioner) and

5 May 2020 · Migrants’ challenges in the current COVID-19 crisis and their contribution to economic recovery

Meeting with Ylva Johansson (Commissioner) and

17 Feb 2020 · Consultations on the New Pact on Migrations

Meeting with Jutta Urpilainen (Commissioner)

17 Feb 2020 · Africa Strategy and the humanitarian aid-peace-development nexus

Meeting with Ylva Johansson (Commissioner) and

14 Feb 2020 · Consultations on the New Pact on Migrations

Meeting with Ylva Johansson (Commissioner) and

12 Feb 2020 · New Pact on Migration

Red Cross calls for mandatory EU spending on migrant integration

10 Aug 2018
Topic — A consultation regarding the structure and priorities of the future Asylum and Migration Fund.
Message — The Red Cross calls for mandatory minimum spending of 30% for integration and 20% for asylum. They demand local access to funds and civil society participation in program delivery.12
Why — Quotas and local access would protect their funding streams and influence over migration services.34
Impact — Member States would lose discretionary control over how they distribute their migration budgets.5
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Response to Multiannual Financial Framework – European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

27 Jul 2018

The following feedback on the ESF+ proposal draws from the practical experience of National Red Cross Societies in the EU, which assist people in vulnerable situations on a daily basis. 1. We welcome the ESF+ proposal as it allows continuation of funding for social inclusion, employment support and social innovation in one comprehensive instrument. We are calling on decision makers not to lower the budget allocated to ESF+, as well as the proposed minimum allocation for social inclusion (25 %) and material/food deprivation (2 %). Maintaining the budget allocated to ESF+ is indeed key to address the complex needs of the increasing number of people in vulnerable situations in Europe. Minimum allocation for social inclusion and material/food deprivation will contribute to trigger national public funding dedicated to these priorities. 2. We welcome the proposal of simple management rules for provision of material assistance to the most deprived (Chapter III), nevertheless we are concerned with the possibility left to managing authorities to make rules more complicated at national level (“gold-plating”) as it is the case for current instruments. However: 3. At national level, activities under the minimum allocation of 25% of ESF+ resources should not only focus on employment-related support, in order to take into account the broader spectrum of challenges (poverty, social exclusion, discrimination) faced by groups who are far from the labour market such as older people and children. 4. In the ESF+ proposal, providing accompanying measures to food and/or material assistance is not compulsory. Accompanying measures, such as providing social services, have proved to be key in addressing social exclusion of the most deprived. We suggest the allocation of resources to accompanying measures to be made compulsory (article 17.4) in order to make sure food and material assistance is most effective in contributing to social cohesion. 5. We have concerns regarding the list of common indicators for ESF+ support for addressing material deprivation outlined in the annex of the proposal. Output indicators such as the weight of distributed food create administrative burden on implementing organisations and do not have relevance in terms of social value of the programme. In addition, common result indicators such as the number of third country nationals imply asking for sensitive information to people using the programme and risk hindering their access to vital assistance. We suggest the list of indicators to only focus on the living situation of people supported by the ESF+ chapter on food and material deprivation and reduce the output indicators to the number of units distributed. 6. In its article 4.1 (viii), the proposal only mentions “third-country nationals” and no longer “migrants” as it is the case in the current ESF regulation. We are concerned the wording “third-country nationals” overlook the complexity of this target group and exclude from the ESF+ scope those who are in irregular situation and EU mobile citizens. Note: The Red Cross EU Office represents the interests of the National Red Cross Societies of the 28 European Union (EU) Member States (https://redcross.eu), of the Norwegian Red Cross, and of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Our members form part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious belief, class or political opinion. Together, they gather well over 250,000 employees, one million volunteers, and eight million members. In 18 Member States, national and numerous local Red Cross entities are users of the European Social Fund (ESF) and/or implementing partners of the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD). They do so through social inclusion activities such as material/food aid, social assistance, counselling and employment support in the local community.
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Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President)

20 Mar 2018 · Migration

Meeting with Igor Driesmans (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

28 Nov 2017 · Asia and the Pacific

Meeting with Anna Vezyroglou (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

22 Nov 2017 · Western Balkans

Meeting with Christos Stylianides (Commissioner) and

27 Feb 2017 · Humanitarian Aid priorities for 2017

Meeting with Christos Stylianides (Commissioner) and International Rescue Committee Inc and

19 Apr 2016 · launch of contracts for emergency support regulation

Meeting with Christos Stylianides (Commissioner) and

10 Nov 2015 · regugee crisis

Meeting with Frans Timmermans (First Vice-President)

23 Jan 2015 · Fundamental rights, security and better regulation