MINSK, 1 February (BelTA) – The Belarusian Red Cross Society (BRCS) is well-positioned to attract resources inside the country for project implementation. Now the most important thing is to explore the market of potential partners, BelTA learned from Lukas Sallmann, the head of marketing and communication of the Swiss Red Cross, a member of the delegation of Belarusian Red Cross's international partners currently on a visit to Minsk.
“The Swiss Red Cross is a long-term partner of the Belarusian Red Cross. The organizations have already built up the relationship of trust in terms of project implementation. My mission here is to assist the Belarusian Red Cross Society in capacity-building and resource mobilization to help it become more independent financially,” he said.
Speaking of the projects implemented in Belarus with the assistance of the Swiss Red Cross, he noted the service of medical nurses. “Providing medical and social care at home is an important area. We will continue to focus on it and provide support, including the financial one. However, it is important that the Belarusian Red Cross strengthen its capacity фтвmake this project sustainable by mobilizing the resources within the country,” Lukas Sallmann noted.
During the meeting of one of the working groups different proposals were voiced by the foreign experts who shared their experience in fundraising experience. Te foreign guests noted the serious work implemented in Belarus, its strong society, sustainable programs and projects. The above-mentioned are fundamental factors for fundraising. “There is a need to study the Belarusian market in order to identify potential sources of funds for project implementation,” Lukas Sallmann said.
A delegation of representatives of the IFRC's European Regional Office, the Swiss Red Cross and the Lithuanian Red Cross is currently on a visit to Minsk. The delegation already held meetings with BRCS General Secretary Olga Mychko, the personnel of the ECHO project, WHO, UNFPA, USAID. The foreign specialists got familiar with the achievements of the Belarusian Red Cross and its regional organizations, including the district unit in Zaslavl. The delegation is set to monitor the issuance of vouchers in a Red Cross organization in Minsk District, to review the progress in the projects supporting resettlers from Ukraine, to discuss further cooperation, and to present the Branch Organizational Capacity Assessment (BOCA). The visit will last through 2 February.
