The Division for Movement Coordination and Cooperation (Division) helps the ICRC discharge its respon­sibilities towards the Movement’s other components by:

a) providing guidance to field delegations on coordination and operational cooperation with other components of the Movement, and providing direction and support for National Society capacity-building activities (Movement action);

b) backing National Society efforts to apply the Fundamental Principles and the Movement’s policies, rules and regulations (Movement principles and rules);

c) developing Movement policies and guidance documents for adoption by the Movement’s statutory bodies, organizing meet­ings of these bodies and promoting implementation of the decisions and resolutions adopted by them (Movement policy).
The highlights of the Division’s work in 2006 are described below.

Support for Movement coordination in ICRC field operations

In 2006, the ICRC provided substantial support for coordination and cooperation activities between Movement components, plac­ing particular emphasis on the role of the host National Society in major ICRC operations in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel and the occupied and autonomous Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Sudan (Darfur). It issued Joint Statements with the International Federation regarding coordina­tion of the Movement’s response to the hostilities in Lebanon in July and to the conflict in Somalia in December 2006. When renewed fighting broke out in Sri Lanka, a second Movement coor­dination mechanism was set up to assist the victims; the first had been established in early 2005 for the operation launched in the wake of the December 2004 tsunami and continued to function.

Within the context of the Rapid Deployment Framework headed by the ICRC Operations Department, the Division for Movement Coordination and Cooperation regularly cooperated with the International Federation’s Disaster Management (DM) section, exploring joint training concepts. It also took part in regular Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and DM meetings and training courses.

Pursuant to the recommendations adopted by the Council of Delegates in 2005, the Department worked to give effect to the Supplementary Measures to the Seville Agreement. To this end, a training concept and module for joint ICRC-International Federation training was developed with the International Federation, and training of all senior managers with operational responsibilities in the ICRC, the International Federation and National Societies got under way in 2006. Terms of reference were agreed for external evaluations to monitor implementation of the Seville Agreement and the Supplementary Measures, and the first evaluation was conducted in Kenya in 2006. It will be followed in 2007 by evaluations in Haiti and Indonesia.

With a view to strengthening operational partnerships between the ICRC and National Societies working internationally, the ICRC Directorate adopted in June 2006 the terms and conditions for “Integrated Partnerships” and “Coordinated Activities”, based on the results of a two-year pilot project conducted in the field.

As it has in years past, the ICRC worked with the International Federation to organize the annual information meeting for 40 National Societies working internationally. The meeting discussed operations in Haiti and Sudan, and held thematic debates on current issues.

In the follow-up to the high-level meeting held between the ICRC and UNHCR in June 2006, the ICRC prepared a joint note which was signed by the president of the ICRC and the High Commissioner and which aimed at ensuring effective coordination and cooperation between the two organizations and providing guidance for opera­tional interaction between UNHCR and National Societies in armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

Support for National Society capacity building

The Division continued to advise ICRC delegations around the world on operational matters and programmes with a view to strengthening the capacity of National Societies to promote IHL and the Fundamental Principles, to re-establish family links, to prepare for and respond to conflict, and to take mine action.

It worked closely with the Protection Division in developing a 10-year strategy to strengthen the worldwide Family Links Network. In particular, it participated in four regional conferences organized by the ICRC, in which 139 National Societies in all exchanged views with the International Federation and the ICRC on the content of the draft strategy.
A working group of experienced delegates was set up to develop guidelines for the implementation and contextualization of the Safer Access approach, and contributed to the content and pro­motion among National Societies of the ICRC’s manual, First Aid in armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

Together with the International Federation, the Division also organized two sessions of the Leadership Development Programme for 40 newly-appointed senior leaders of National Societies, focusing on the international dimensions and respon­sibilities of their role.

It also continued to participate in Basic Training Courses for National Society and International Federation staff seconded to emergency operations. Some 40 such courses were organized in 2006, a significant increase over previous years (33 were held in 2005 and an average of 25 in the years before).

The Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom in Israel were actively helped by the Division to fulfil the 10 con­ditions for recognition. This enabled the ICRC to recognize the two National Societies and led to their subsequent admission to the International Federation and their incorporation into the Movement. The Division also prepared the ground for the recog­nition, by the ICRC, of the National Societies of Serbia and of Montenegro.

The Division further intensified its work within the Joint ICRC/International Federation Commission for National Society Statutes, whose aim is to help National Societies adhere at all times to the Fundamental Principles by strengthening their legal base, i.e. their statutes and national Red Cross/Red Crescent leg­islation. In 2006, the Commission provided formal comments and recommendations to 50 National Societies on the text of their draft statutes, compared to 40 the previous year. It provided assis­tance and guidance to 12 other National Societies regarding the revision of national legislation related to their status. The Division also produced a general compilation of National Society laws to assess their compatibility with the current draft model law for the recognition of National Societies, and finalized an informa­tion note on the procedure for recognition of National Societies by the ICRC and admission to the International Federation.

Work continued on a structured and methodical approach to help National Societies protect their integrity in accordance with the Fundamental Principles. The case-management system was fur­ther refined and 51 cases were being actively monitored as 2006 drew to a close. Coordination with the International Federation was maintained at governance and management level; the ICRC participated in the International Federation Governing Board working group on integrity, and took specific action in five cases where serious concerns existed regarding the integrity of indi­vidual National Societies. In accordance with the Movement’s Strategy, the Division conducted internal and external consulta­tions based on a draft document it produced on the issue of per­manent compliance with the conditions for National Society recognition.

The Division also dealt with some 50 inquiries in 2006 about the proper use of the red cross and red crescent emblems, providing advice and recommendations to ICRC delegations, National Societies and private individuals. As per the request set out in the Movement’s Strategy, it initiated a comprehensive study of oper­ational and commercial issues involving the use of the emblems; the study is to be finalized for presentation at the 2007 statutory meetings.

In response to developments in the European Union Civil Protection mechanism, the ICRC and the International Federation agreed on a common position on how to guide European National Societies in relation to the mechanism. The Division lent support to the Brussels delegation in its endeavours in this respect.

The Division spearheaded the preparatory work for the 2006 Council of Delegates and the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, at which the Movement’s Statutes were amended. It also headed preparations within the ICRC and consultations with the International Federation, the Standing Commission and National Societies regarding the concept, sub­stance and organization of the 2007 statutory meetings (Council of Delegates and 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent). Promotion and reporting tools relating to the pledges made at the 28th International Conference were devel­oped and shared with the Movement’s components to enhance data collection and reporting to the 30th International Conference. The resolutions of the 2005 Council of Delegates in Seoul were published on the ICRC website and in booklet form.

Intensive work was undertaken in 2006 to update the Handbook of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and to prepare a web-based reference source. The English version of the revised Handbook is due to be published in 2007.

The Division further administered or supervised various Movement funds, medals and prizes, organized 42 official visits by some 300 National Society leaders and representatives to ICRC headquarters, and represented the ICRC at various official and statutory meetings organized by other components of the Movement. It also organized, jointly with the International Federation, five senior management meetings in which the lead­ership of both organizations discussed issues of common con­cern, such as their respective strategic planning.

See ICRC Annual Report 2006.