Red Cross in
South America
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Red Cross teams visiting communities in Pedernales and Jama to identify shelter needs and allocate Vladimir Rodas / Ecuadorian Red Cross Cover photo: Argentina Red Cross
Brazilian Red Cross carries out an information campaign on the spread of zika virus as they eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites in the city of Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro state. Miguel Domingo García / IFRC
Red Cross in
South America The population of South America is close to 400 million people. The urbanisation rate is one of the highest in the world, with more than 80 per cent of the population living in cities or urban settings, and that percentage is increasing. The population in South America has traditionally grown mainly on the coasts. The largest cities that follow this pattern include: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Lima and Guayaquil. However, over time and with the increase in connectivity, the population has spread further inland.
Currently South America has 14 of the 20 most violent cities in the world – concentrated in Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Disaster Risk Outlook
Health Outlook
Despite its high growth potential, the region has experienced increased exposure and vulnerability, due to natural events such as major earthquakes, landslides, tremors, tsunamis, and hydrometeorological events such as floods and droughts. More evidently each year, climate change contributes to the growing frequency, intensity and unpredictability of hydrometeorological events that cause significant loss and damage and endanger the livelihoods of affected populations. Poverty and extreme poverty, along with inequity in the access to opportunities and resources in the region, increase the likelihood that these threats will affect segments of the population differently. The pressure on agriculture, livestock farming and natural resources has also led to rural-urban migration processes as well as to inadequately planned urban growth and expansion, and squatters. The informal and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources (water, forests, minerals) affects the environment and creates social problems and new emergencies.
Non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases cause an average of 424 deaths per 100,000 persons in the region. Paraguay and Colombia have the highest rates, with 546 and 487 respectively. The prevalence rate of HIV in the region stands at 15 per 100,000 inhabitants, while Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile and Uruguay have rates above 20 (Uruguay is at 27). The general average in the continent is 12.9 1 Due to the tropical and subtropical climates in many countries, outbreaks of dengue, malaria and other vector borne diseases are recurrent, and the region has been affected by emerging diseases such as chikungunya and zika, particularly Brazil and Colombia. High vulnerability, risk factors, limited social protection and lack of access to health systems continues to impact on groups of population in the region due to their ethnic or cultural origin, socioeconomic conditions, displacement or geographic location.
Regional Challenges • Contribute to the reduction of poverty and social inequity and its consequences on the most disadvantaged and vulnerability populations in urban and peri-urban areas • Ensure relevant, effective, quality and coordinated emergency response and recovery for people affected by natural disasters and crises (social and post conflict)
1. Source: Basic Health Indicators for the Americas 2016. PAHO/WHO
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Red Cross in South America
Red Cross in the Region The way a National Society is structured is directly related to the scope of its work within its jurisdiction. Volunteers are at the core of National Societies, and the branches or local committees are its command centres.
• Social services to vulnerable groups in the community, such as migrants, elderly, people living with disabilities, homeless and socially excluded people
National Societies in the region provide:
• Preparedness and response to disasters and crises
• First aid and ambulance services • Epidemic control and community health promotion
• Nursing schools and training in first aid
• Restoring family links programs in post disaster or post conflict situations
As of 2016, the ten National Societies of South America had 65,351 registered Red Cross volunteers and 796 Red Cross branches. The Ecuadorean Red Cross hosts the Regional Medical Emergencies and Pre-Hospital Care Reference Centre (CREMYAP).
Volunteers of Chilean Red Cross help in collecting and organizing donations for shelters activated product of fire that affected the city of Valparaiso. Vladimir Rodas / Chilean Red Cross
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Dengue response operation in the branch Coronel Portillo of the Peruvian Red Cross. Peruvian Red Cross
Strategic Partnerships
Red Cross Partners
Red Cross National Societies have their own strategic partners, which include national (especially disaster risk management offices and ministries of health) and local authorities of the different countries, as well as the corporate and academic, nongovernmental and civil society sectors.
The American, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish and Swiss Red Cross Societies, in coordination with the IFRC, contribute to the strengthening of the capacities of the National Societies in the region with a view to achieving greater efficiency, effectiveness and coordination in emergency and disaster response, livelihoods, social inclusion, training leaders, and scaling up the development of branches and community early warning systems in the region.
IFRC partners with the United Nations system, its specialised humanitarian agencies and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). The country cluster offices have developed specific agreements and undertake advocacy with governmental entities, such as the Andean Committee for Disaster Prevention and Response (CAPRADE), the South American Common Market (MERCOSUR), Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in specific matters such as international disaster response law (IDRL), civic-military relations, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and matters related to Principles and Values. A recent example of these partnerships is an agreement reached between the IFRC and the Commission of the White Helmets (Argentinean Ministry of Foreign Affairs), which will allow collaboration concretely in the drafting of an improved legal and regulatory framework for humanitarian action in Argentina, as well as in the region. 6
Red Cross in South America
Opportunities • The region has an economic dichotomy, OECD members (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in middle income countries with a very active private sector in corporate responsibility • The peace process in Colombia is an opportunity for sub regional development • South America is an encouraging venue for National Red Cross Societies to continue to position themselves to respond to current and emerging humanitarian trends as aids to public authorities and with the support of the private sector
A Bolivian Red Cross Volunteer helps people trapped by the floods. Bolivian Red Cross
Contact information:
Michele De Tomaso Head, Country Cluster Support team (Andean Countries) michele.detomaso@ifrc.org  Alexandre Claudon de Vernisy Head, Country Cluster Support team (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) alexandre.claudon@ifrc.org Julie Hoare Head, Partnerships and Resource Development julie.hoare@ifrc.org
Š International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 2017