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Istanbul / Geneva, 22 May 2016 - One week after the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)announced a major multi-year initiative in southern Africa to build resilience for the millions of people affected by ongoing drought, the IFRC has convened the first global steering committee of the One Billion Coalition for Resilience (1BC).
Global leaders agreed key next steps for the initiative, to champion new partnerships, technology and investment models - critical components to achieve the ‘paradigm shift’ called for by the World Humanitarian Summit.
“No one organization or system can deliver the full spectrum of interventions that we need to adequately respond to, prepare for and mitigate all risks and hazards. But together, we have the expertise and potential resources needed,” said Garry Conille, Under Secretary General at the IFRC.
“We must increase our focus on local communities' resilience and their role as first responders in emergencies. The One Billion Coalition for Resilience is a unique initiative to support the safety, health and well-being of some of the world’s most vulnerable people and help them to cope better when disaster strikes," said Stephen O’Brien, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Members of the global steering committee have committed to action which will open up greater ‘collaborative efficiency’ between private sector, tech companies, donors and philanthropist, with a specific focus on empowering local and national responders.
Demand for more effective partnership and support for action at the community level is driving the momentum behind the 1BC. Leading organizations from both the aid and private sectors have taken up the call to action.
Amir Abdulla, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) said, “the One Billion Coalition for Resilience is an opportunity to strengthen and expand existing networks and initiatives for community resilience. The global steering committee has agreed to deliver the tools needed to kick-start coalitions around the world, and we’re inviting individuals and organizations to come on board. Be a part of this transformative change in the way we work.”
Njack Kane, Board Member and Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the John A Kufuor Foundation, said “we simply must do better, take a longer view, and more effectively use our collective resources in a meaningful manner. If we are to truly strengthen resilience we have to stop working in silos and implement well thought out and sustainable programmes that will have real impact for communities and ensure their well-being.”
Individuals and organizations are invited to build coalitions in their community, nationally, regionally or approach the Global Steering Committee for more information on how to become a One Billion Coalition for Resilience member.
More information is available at http://www.onebillioncoalition.org/.
For further information, please contact:
Benoit Carpentier, Team Leader – Public Communications, IFRC E-mail: benoit.carpentier@ifrc.org | Twitter: @BenoistC | Mobile: +41 79 213 2413
