Programme purpose: The overall goal of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) zone office is to encourage, mobilise and coordinate contributions towards the achievement of the International Federation's Global Agenda (GA) Goals. The strategy of the zone office focuses on key areas where National Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC/RC) Societies can make a tangible difference by utilizing and sharing regional resources and expertise and engaging in a strategic dialogue on humanitarian policies and practices. The International Federation in MENA has build its ambitions on the auxiliary role of National Societies in their countries and local and regional partnerships to maintain and create technical and operational excellence in delivering community based services.
Programme summary: In 2008, the MENA zone continued its coordination and facilitation role to support the National Societies in the region in disaster management, health and care, organisational development, and Humanitarian Values programmes. A new vision and operational strategy for 2009-2011 was developed in disaster management along with a disaster management network. Technical support was given to the MENA National Societies in disaster management planning with partnerships and trainings aiming to support the capacities of the staff in disaster preparedness, vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA), contingency planning, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and road safety. The health and care programme focused on building on regional networks, along with concentrating efforts on the psycho-social support programme (PSP) and human pandemic preparedness. The organisational development programme also worked on developing networks of MENA National Societies through a youth network meeting and put attention on the development of the operational alliances (OA) in the region and planning for 2009-2010. The Principles and Values programme in MENA focused on migration issues, along with strengthening partnerships with Arab media outlets and RC/RC Movement partners with regards to communications.
Financial situation: The total 2008 budget was revised from CHF 2,800,990 (USD 2,655,722 or EUR 1,871,569) to CHF 1,514,696 (USD 1,436,139 or EUR 1,012,091), of which 144 percent was covered. The target was revised based on implementation rates and donor response to the Appeal.
The zone Appeal includes Iran programme components and budget in the amount of CHF 498,594 (USD 472,735 or EUR 333,151). The total funding for Iran for 2008 was CHF 840,416 (USD 796,829 or EUR 561,550) and the expenditure was CHF 348,120 (USD 330,065 or EUR 232,607). Therefore, some of the income earmarked for Iran will be carried forward to 2009 to cover the activities in the new calendar year.