Cooperation with the International Movement

Basic

The Bulgarian Red Cross is an integral part of the large family of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, called the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, united by the desire to save lives, promote humanitarian values, help without discrimination those who suffer and thus contribute to peace in the world. We are a neutral, independent and impartial organisation, guided by seven fundamental principles. Our neutrality allows us to reach people caught up in conflicts or other crises across the world. When these emergencies cause people to flee their homes, the Red Cross provides disaster relief, helping make sure they have food, shelter and other help they need.

Working strategically and with agility in partnerships lies at the heart of our Strategy 2030. Within our international work, we will prioritise the following against the organisational causes set out in Bulgarian Red Cross Strategy 2030.

Cause 1: Engage in a spirit of solidarity to support affected people in regions of conflict, disaster, health emergency, crisis or climate adversity

Cause 2: Disseminate International Humanitarian Law

Cause 3: Provide timely and effective assistance to protect vulnerable persons and to restore, and maintain family links for members of separated families

Cause 4: Advocate and involve in humanitarian diplomacy in pursuit of the auxiliary role, and to leverage resources to help

We prioritize building a humanitarian aid sector that is person-centred, working through the wider Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to promote:

Cash assistance gives the most vulnerable access to dignified support that allows them choice and improves well-being.
Localisation through building the capacity and capability of our sister National Societies (NS) to respond to the humanitarian crises that impact on their communities based on local knowledge. The Bulgarian Red Cross commits to excellence in how it works through:

- Safe and inclusive approaches: ensuring our programmes keep people safe and are inclusive, and

- Community engagement and accountability

International cooperation supports the Bulgarian Red Cross in the effective implementation of its mission by contributing to coordination, joint actions, and exchange of good practices and expertise within the Movement, and beyond:
➢ Participation in initiatives of the Movement of the Red Cross / Red Cross on global, European and regional, including cross-border issues

➢ Development and implementation of targeted humanitarian programs and projects

➢ Mobilization of local and international support in crises in Bulgaria, and abroad

Cooperation with the ND of the Red Cross / Red Cross

The Bulgarian Red Cross has over 24 signed contracts and agreements with different Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies (NSs). Currently, we are actively engaged in partnership with:

Multilateral cooperation of the Red Cross / Red Cross

The Bulgarian Red Cross is a member of the Neighbours Help First sub-regional grouping of Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations in Southeast and Central Europe aimed at uniting and coordinating efforts to increase the readiness of national societies to respond adequately to disasters, and other events.This group is made up of the NSs of :

➢ Members:

○ Albania

○ Bosnia and Herzegovina

○ Bulgaria

○ Croatia

○ Cyprus

○ Greece

○ Hungary

○ Montenegro

○ North Macedonia

○ Poland

○ Romania

○ Slovenia

○ Türkiye

➢ Observers:

○ Austria

○ Czech Republic

○ Italy

○ Serbia

○ Slovakia

○ Spain

➢ Technical Advisors:

○ IFRC

○ ICRC

The group's mission is to help communities cope with crises, become better prepared and more resilient because we believe that cooperation and coordination in the event of disasters in our region can ensure better preparedness. Through several forums, experiences are exchanged on issues related to the spread of IHL, assistance to refugees, organization of training in first aid, home care, youth activities, development of generating activities and more. Last year, in 2023, responses were provided to the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and the floods in Slovenia.

This initiative builds on a previous multilateral agreement of the Balkan National Societies for Cross-Border Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Case of Disasters which the Bulgarian Red Cross has been part of since 2000.

The BRC participates in a number of thematic international networks and forums, such as:

➢ International Network of NGOs Working with Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)

➢ Restoring Family Links Network (RFL)

➢ Global Migration Lab

➢ The Second Global Refugee Forum (GRF)

➢ International Commission for Mountain Rescue (ICAR)

➢ International Life Saving Federation (ILSE)

➢ IFRC Global Disaster Preparedness Center

➢ IFRC Climate Center

➢ COP 28 Climate Summit

➢ IFRC Livelihoods Center

➢ European Platform for the Third Age (AGE)