DUSHANBE, November 22, 2011, Asia-Plus — The leadership of Tajikistan’s Red Crescent Society (RCS) today left Dushanbe for Geneva to participate at the Red Cross/Red Crescent top-events that will take place there from November 23 to December 1.
According to IFRC Country Representation in Tajikistan, Mr. Salohiddin Nasriddinov, Tajik Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation will join Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov, RCS Secretary General and Mr. Nazar Valiyev, RCS Deputy Secretary General to represent Tajikistan in the IFRC General Assembly (November 23-25, 2011), the Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (November 26, 2011) and the 31st International Conference (November 28- December 01).
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement consists of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (NS). Its mission is to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human dignity especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies. It is present in every country and supported by millions of volunteers.
The Red Cross/Red Crescent International Conferences take place every four years. Top officials from the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC, ICRC and the States Party participate in the Conference. The main objective of the International Conference is to strengthen international humanitarian law and humanitarian action.
Mr. Zafar Muhabbatov, RCS Secretary General, says that “the 31st International Conference will focus on the areas where collaboration between the States and the components of the Movement at all levels (local, national, regional or global) can make a difference for those who are most vulnerable. The Conference will examine the means of responding to current and emerging needs of vulnerable people in situations of humanitarian emergencies, natural disasters, conflicts or other situations of violence. It will also examine the political, economic, legal, and security conditions in which humanitarian action is carried out by Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other humanitarian organizations.”
The specific objectives of the Conference are to improve protection for victims of armed conflict, to reduce impact of disasters and facilitate recovery, to mitigate major health care challenges and to strengthen local humanitarian capacities. Mr. Eric Michel-Sellier, IFRC Country Representative in Tajikistan, talking about one of most important issues to be discussed in the Conference – “International Disaster Response Law” (IDRL), says that “four years after adoption of the IDRL Guidelines by the 30th International Conference, disaster laws will again feature prominently on the agenda of the 31st International Conference. Legal preparedness for international disaster response; enhancing disaster risk reduction through legislation; and also addressing regulatory barriers related to meeting the emergency and transitional shelter needs of people affected by disasters are the three disaster laws sub-topics to be addressed during a dedicated plenary session.”
