Bulgarian Red Cross Facts Figures 2013

Facts and Figures on the activities of the Bulgarian Red Cross

2013

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Facts and Figures on the activities of the Bulgarian R

ed Cross 2013

Bulgarian Red Cross / www.redcross.bg

♦♦ The BRC Strategy 2020 developed and adopted in 2010;

♦♦ Number of members – 148 081;

♦♦Membership compared to population – 2,01 %;

♦♦ Number of volunteers – 9 454;

♦♦ Local associations – 2 730;

♦♦Municipal branches – 269;

♦♦ Regional branches – 28;

♦♦ Reporting and election campaign 2012/2013 and General Assembly, May, 2013;

♦♦ Reporting campaign 2013/2014;

♦♦ A systematic approach to monitoring and evaluation of the situation and activities of regional organizations is applied in accordance with the standards of a Well-Functioning National Society, adopted by the BRC; 6 regional structures evaluated in 2013 – Sofia-region, Vratsa, Montana, Varna, Yambol and Blagoevgrad;

♦♦ Through the Bulgarian Red Cross Food Bank Mechanism assistance is provided to people in need (elderly, children, people with disabilities, homeless, etc.) in Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo,

Pazardjik, Panagyurishte, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Silistra, Stara Zagora, Shumen, Sofia-city, etc.;

♦♦ Education and Training – 13 928 persons trained during the year (3 409 – members of the governance, management and staff; 4 917 volunteers in basic training forms and 5 602 volunteers in specialized training forms;

♦♦ Systematic methodological support to the regional Red Cross organizations, including support by an internal BRC moderators team, specialized in designing and implementation of EU funded and national projects;

♦♦ Project activities – successfully implemented 223 projects in different activity areas, carried out in communities at regional, municipal and local level, involving 9 national programs;

♦♦ Participation in the inter-agency working groups, developing various legislative documents on volunteering, including a draft Law on Volunteering.

Organizational Activity

2 Bulgarian Red Cross / www.redcross.bg

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The Bulgarian Red Cross, in compliance with its humane mission, implements activities directed towards alleviation of the vulnerability and social exclusion of the people most in need with the objective to improve the quality of their life.

Social Activities♦♦Humanitarian assistance – support provided to 351 800 persons and 798 social institutions and health facilities, incl. those supported by the EU Food Aid Program. The largest program for humanitarian support was realized in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Agency for Social Assistance, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the State Fund Agriculture – Paying Agency.

♦♦ Financial support at the total amount of BGN 51 194 provided to 327 persons in need through the BRC Charity Fund.

Social Services♦♦ License from the Social Assistance Agency for the provision of 14 types of social services, 10 of them for older people;

♦♦ Social services provided to a total of 5 116 older persons;

♦♦ 10 Home Care Centers – providing integrated health care and social services to 765 beneficiaries. In 2013 a total of 22 620 home visits by nurses were performed and 44 735 visits – by home-helpers. The work of the HC Centers in Blagoevgrad, Montana, Varna, Plovdiv, Lovech and Sofia was supported by 132 volunteers who were actively involved in the home care services provision. The HC Centers in these towns have been created and currently supported by the German Red Cross, Italian Red Cross, the Municipality of Varna as well as with own finances of the BRC Regional branches and Headquarters.

The HC Centers in Vratsa, Byala Slatina, Krivodol and Oryahovo are functioning within a project financed by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Swiss Red Cross;

♦♦ 10 Soup-kitchens free of charge in Bourgas, Pazardjik and Plovdiv for 830 socially-weak persons;

♦♦ Services for people with limited mobility at 5 railway stations – 9 801 services rendered to 1 762 persons in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas and Stara Zagora;

Social and Health Policy

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♦♦ Day care centers for older people, social stores, bureaus for social services, home-helpers, social assistants:

◊♦ Home for older people and Red Cross Hospice in Kardjali providing everyday care to 50 older persons in deteriorated health status;

◊♦ Support to homeless people – 430 persons have been supported in 12 regions of the country;

◊♦ 15 social consultation bureaus – 1 103 persons have received consultations in Varna, Plovdiv and Smolyan.

♦♦ International projects involving active older people and directed towards encouragement of social inclusion, intergenerational solidarity and exchange of best practices:

◊♦ “Age Awareness and Advocacy of the Rights of Older People” Project implemented in 12 regions of Bulgaria. The project started 10 years ago and is supported by the Swiss Red Cross. In 2013 various initiatives have been organized in Montana, Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, Lovech, Smolyan, Dobrich, Shumen, Ruse, Vratsa, Targovishte, Gabrovo and Yambol with the participation of more than 1 500 trained and active older volunteers from 64 municipalities within the project regions. All these initiatives have found adequate reflection and support on behalf of the

local authorities and have become part of the life of the local communities. Part of the activities has been supported by corporate partners like Nestle Bulgaria and other companies.

◊♦ “Active Senior Citizens for Europe” Project – implemented in cooperation with AGE Platform Europe and partners from 8 EU countries within the Europe for Citizens Program.

First Aid♦♦ The BRC training programs on First Aid for various groups of the population are certified with the European First Aid Certificate. In 2013 the following courses were held:

◊♦ 23 courses for teachers, parents and child keepers;

◊♦ 175 courses on First Aid on the working place;

◊♦ 4 360 courses for candidate-drivers.

♦♦ BRC hosted the Annual meeting of the First Aid European Network of the IFRC/RC which coordinates the methodology of the training programs on international level;

♦♦ Training of Traffic policemen and Transport police officers – 469 policemen trained on the basis of First Aid;

♦♦ Training of paramedics – the training for the 3rd degree of the professional


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qualification of paramedics started with the profile „Ambulance transport, first aid and assistance in urgent hospital departments”;

♦♦ Prevention of road accidents:

◊♦ National fund supporting children injured in road accidents – 36 families supported;

◊♦ 69 open lessons on road safety including 1 623 children from 1st to 4th grade carried out;

◊♦ Participation in the National students’ competition “To prevent children on the road”;

◊♦ Partnership in the National competition “Traffic policeman of the year”;

♦♦ Participation in different campaigns for road accidents prevention.

Health Promotion♦♦ Promotion of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation – 451 promotion campaigns held, 5 393 students and others donated blood in the traditional spring and autumn campaigns called “Drop by drop of life”.

♦♦ Telephone line for psycho-social support: Sofia (02 8164 892), Plovdiv (032 61 51) и Yambol (046 66 29 04) – 7 773 psycho-social consultations performed;

♦♦ Prevention of socially important diseases – AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, poliomyelitis, cervical cancer and others;

♦♦ 79 BRC health clubs – significant part of the health promotion;

♦♦ Partnerships established on national and local level aiming at creating healthy life habits of children and adults. 3 352 different health promotion activities organized.

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♦♦ Support provided:

◊♦ to 3 500 asylum seekers, accommodated in the 7 Reception centers of the State Agency for Refugees at the Council of Ministers – Ovcha Kupel, Voenna rampa and Vrazdebna in Sofia, village of Banya (Sliven Region), village of Kovatchevci (Pernik Region), village of Pastrogor and Harmanli (Haskovo Region);

◊♦ to 1 400 asylum seekers and refugees, living on external addresses in Sofia, Nova Zagora, Saedinenie and Stara Zagora;

◊♦ to 83 vulnerable migrants in Sofia.

Countries of origin: Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Mali, etc.

♦♦Humanitarian aid:

◊♦ The Bulgarian Red Cross has provided the following humanitarian aid to the refugees – 6 057 food packages, 5 058 hygienic packages, 13 145 diapers, 1 235 adopted baby milk, 10 823 blankets, 900 bedding sets, 260 beds, 4 000 boots, kitchen sets, washing detergents;

◊♦ The Bulgarian Red Cross has provided hot meal for the people in the Reception centers of SAR in Voenna rampa and Vrazdebna once a week during the period 01.10. – 31.12.2013;

◊♦ The Bulgarian Red Cross has provided essential drugs for asylum seekers in Sofia.

♦♦ Services:

◊♦ social consultations, given every day at the office of the Refugee-Migrant Service;

◊♦ social mediation;◊♦ information about the rights and

obligations of the asylum seekers and refugees in Bulgaria;

◊♦ consultations on medical issues, on job search and housing issues;

◊♦ consultations regarding assistance in a medical case – pregnant women chronicle diseases;

◊♦ facilitating the enrolment of asylum’ seekers’ and refugees’ children;

◊♦ consultations on voluntary return in the country of origin.

♦♦ Prevention of infection and other diseases – tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, hypertonic and diabetes;

♦♦ Empowerment of the refugee communities;

♦♦ Celebration of refugees’ traditional holidays and the World Refugee Day;

♦♦Monitoring of the reception conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in

Refugee-Migrants Service


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the Reception centers of SAR and the accommodation facilities for migrants under the Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior;

♦♦ Advocacy and lobbying before state institutions for integration of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Bulgaria;

♦♦ Training and supervision of refugees, working as social mediators for asylum seekers;

♦♦ Peer-to-Peer education;

♦♦ Information sessions with refugees and asylum seekers about their rights and duties, about prevention of sexual and gender based violence;

♦♦ Training of staff from local and state structures in working with asylum seekers and refugees;

♦♦ Partners – UNHCR, SAR, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs – Border Police, Migration Department, Ministry of Education, Council of Refugee Women, CARITAS Bulgaria, Bulgarian Council for Refugees and Migrants, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee;

♦♦ Distribution of humanitarian aid donated by people and trade companies after launching the National charity campaign to support the refugees in Bulgaria on 18th of September 2013 – raised 90 163 BGN.

♦♦Main donors:

◊♦ Corporate sector – Coca-Cola, Nestle Bulgaria, Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union, VM Wear Bulgaria, Eurotrade, Varna Clean Service, Italbul Shoes;

◊♦ The National Societies of Switzerland, Netherlands and Romania;

◊♦ The embassies of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Indonesia, USA, Libya, Morocco, Egypt, Iraq and Palestine;

◊♦ NGO’s – Foundation “Open Society”, Swiss Association of the Order of Malta.

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Bulgarian Red Cross assists the government in the humanitarian field, in preparedness for response in wartime, military conflicts and disasters, to protect and strengthen public health and education in the spirit of humanity, compassion and charity. The Organization is part of the rescue system of the country and as such, actively participated in the development and updating of the National Plan and program for protection of the population in case of disasters.

♦♦ Capacity and resources:

◊♦ National Disaster Response Team (NDRT) – 28 people;

◊♦ National Floods Response Team (NFRT) – 10 people;

◊♦ Volunteer Disaster Response Teams (VDRT) – 18 Teams with 320 people;

◊♦ 9 Units to Flood Response Teams in the Branches;

◊♦ 8 people trained to work with water purification units;

◊♦ 7 people members of the Regional Disaster Response Team (RDRT) IFRC – EZO Budapest;

◊♦ 80 volunteers – professional psychologists trained in PsP and PSS in disasters.

♦♦ Facilities/Material resources:

◊♦ Central Warehouse – Lozen; ◊♦ Inter-regional warehouses – Ruse,

Dobrich, Burgas;◊♦ At all Regional Councils of the Bulgarian

Red Cross – minimum disaster stock

reserve for immediate assistance to those affected is available,

◊♦ Radio network for alternative connection between the National Council and inter-regional warehouses in case of disasters exist and is operational.

♦♦ Risk Prevention:

◊♦ Conducted over 50 training exercises for VDRT’s;

◊♦ Trained 40 new professionals – psychologists (BRC volunteers) at national and regional level;

◊♦ Participation in seminars, exercises and courses organized by IFRC/RC – Geneva, ICRC and IFRC Europe Zone office – 3.

♦♦ Assistance in the country to affected by disasters – including immediate assistance food and non-food items, psychological first aid and psychosocial support, refreshment stations and other (severe winter weather, fires, floods). The organization assisted over 35 households affected by different disasters and more than 890 people in the whole country.

♦♦ Bulgarian Red Cross has taken immediate steps to support the efforts of state institutions to overcome the crisis situation and provide humanitarian assistance to refugee families, seeking protection in our country.

◊♦On 09/23/2013 the President of the Bulgarian Red Cross had set up a crisis headquarters of the Red Cross for action

Disaster Management


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in an increased flow of foreigners seeking asylum in the country;

◊♦ Bulgarian Red Cross unblocked it’s disaster reserves in the early days of the crisis and helped 1 500 refugees;

◊♦ As a result of activation of the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the IFRC/RC, the Bulgarian Red Cross has received financial support from the amount of 172 725 CHF for immediate assistance. With the support of IFRC, BRC assisted over 2 500 refugees.

♦♦Over 20 participations in regional, national and international exercises and workshops with partners;

♦♦ BRC representatives actively participated at the expert level in the work of nine Inter – Agency expert working groups;

♦♦ Partnerships – Agreement for cooperation between the Bulgarian Red Cross and the Sofia Metropolitan Municipality in the preparation, assistance and protection of the population in case of disaster.

♦♦ Partners: Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Education and Science; Ministry of Health; Fire Safety and Civil Protection General Directorate – Ministry of Interior; Military Medical Academy; State Agency for Refugees; NGO’s, media, etc.

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♦♦ Emergency Rescue Activities:

◊♦ 600 volunteers and 45 staff rescuers, organized in 32 rescue teams.

◊♦ Rendered assistance to 1 919 persons, of whom 1 230 with severe injuries were transported to a hospital.

◊♦ 73 rescue operations with the participation of 361 rescuers. Aid rendered to 131 victims. Six were found dead.

◊♦ Improved cooperation with military and government aircraft structures. Conducted three successful helicopter rescue operations.

◊♦Main Dispatch Center in Sofia – maintains 24/7 communication with the Unified Emergency System 112.

♦♦ Training Activities:

◊♦ Trainee mountain rescuers – winter (19 trainees); summer (20 trainees);

◊♦Mountain rescuers – winter (30 rescuers); summer (24 rescuers);

◊♦ Difficult Terrain Rescue – 16 participants and two senior mountain rescuers;

◊♦ Avalanche Rescue – 21 participants;◊♦Medical Staff – winter (16 participants);

summer – difficult terrain (13 participants);◊♦ Alpine Cliff Rescue – 16 participants.◊♦ Training courses with rescue dogs:

♦- Avalanche training for beginners – 17 rescuers with 13 dogs;

♦- Avalanche training – 23 rescuers with 17 dogs;

♦- Natural Disaster training – 26 participants with 21 dogs.

◊♦ Republican Winter Exercise – 102 participants and 25 judges;

◊♦ Attestations: winter – 28 teams; summer – 27 teams; attestations of instructors – 37 participants.

♦♦ International Activities – participation in training courses abroad and meetings of IKAR:

◊♦Winter course in Bergwacht, Oberstdorf, Bayern;

◊♦ Helicopter Training Exercise, Zermatt, Switzerland – 3 participants.

◊♦ Annual meeting of IKAR in Croatia, with four representatives of the MRS.

♦♦ Prevention Activities:

◊♦ MRS maintains active contacts with both central and regional media. Implemented more than 400 programs and over 500 publications with participation of specialists from MRS.

◊♦ Daily updated website (http:/pss.bg) with information on the operational situation in the mountains, with tips, tricks, and other useful information.

◊♦ The implementation of Mountain Health Insurance as a product of the big insurance companies.

Mountain Rescue Service


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♦♦ Drowning prevention – In 2013 were recorded the most lower levels of water accidents in the country ever – 106 people, which is mainly contributed to BRC prevention programs.

◊♦ Trained in drowning prevention programs – 77 129:♦- “Water lifesaving minimum” – 70 322;♦- “Friends with water” – 5 725;♦- “Keep an eye on” – 411;♦- “Blue summer” – 671.

◊♦ Association of volunteer lifesavers – 34 with total members – 1 131;

◊♦ Participation in the National Round Table on topic “Child safety – shared responsibility and care”, initiated by the State agency for child protection (SACP);

◊♦ Signed contract for long-term partnership with the worldwide leader in sports equipment “SPEEDO” to support activities for Water Life Saving.

♦♦ Training of lifeguards:◊♦ Trained lifeguards – 1 335 (930 – for

swimming pools and water parks and 405 – for open water and sea aquatics);

◊♦ Trained in qualification degree “Junior lifesaver” – 140;

◊♦ Revalidated personal permissions for lifeguards – 2 394 (1 928 for pool & water parks and 1 466 for open water & sea aquatics);

◊♦ Two days training in water lifesaving minimum and first aid respond on EU

Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva and her office team.

♦♦Methodical support and Lifeguard service management:

◊♦ Contracts for Lifeguard services for 12 surf beaches, 1 swimming pool complex and 3 swimming pools;

◊♦ Rescue actions – 5 115;◊♦ National Conference on Rescue – Varna.

♦♦ International and sport activities:

◊♦ ILSE Commission meeting – Czech Republic;

◊♦ ILSE Board Meeting – Croatia;◊♦ WCDP 2013 World Conference on Drowning

Prevention, 100th Anniversary DLRG and Board Meeting ILS – Germany;

◊♦ Bulgarian National Life Saving Tournament: “The kids lifesaver” – Stara Zagora (59 competitors), “Lyuben Kantardzhiev” – Veliko Tarnovo (140 competitors “Junior lifesaver” – Varna (106 competitors), “National Enlighteners Day” – Veliko Tarnovo (78 competitors);

◊♦ European Championships Rescue, Nederland;

◊♦ International Youth Leader Meeting “Volunteers Together 2013”, Germany.

Water Life-Saving Service

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♦♦Organizational Development:◊♦ 310 youth clubs in the 28 regions of the

country, 5 030 members (also volunteers) and 4 597 volunteers;

◊♦ Summer Academy for Volunteers 2013.

♦♦ First Aid, Psychosocial Support and Youth Emergency Teams:◊♦ 1st place in the European first aid

competition FACE 2013 (First Aid Convention in Europe 2013);

◊♦ 19 Youth Emergency teams with 333 members and more than 205 campaigns and demonstrations;

◊♦ 1 476 volunteers, trained to provide first aid and 705 to render first psychological aid and psychosocial support;

◊♦ 308 school first aid teams with 1 415 members across the country;

◊♦ National Competition of School First Aid Teams with participation of 27 regional school teams;

◊♦ National First Aid and Psychosocial Support Training – Winter Academy for Volunteers 2013;

◊♦ Handbook for trainers on psychosocial support in disasters and emergencies.

♦♦ Social Welfare Activities:◊♦ Social Program Providing Services

and Support to Children and Young People Leaving Social Care Institutions, supported by Velux Foundation and IFRC/RC with 2 main components:♦- Foster Care Consultation Centre –

BRCY launched a national foster

care information campaign in 84 municipalities and 24 regions of the country, with the support of more than 1 000 volunteers and in partnership with more than 84 NGOs and institutions – reaching 23 700 people. BRCY trained 156 applicants for foster parents and current foster parents. Organized workshops and children‘s festivals for 261 children placed in foster care.

♦- Protected Home for Children and Young People Leaving Social Care Institutions – The Colourful House – 16 young people used its service in the course of the past year. 5 successfully passed their matriculation exams, 4 were admitted to university.

◊♦ Partners for Social Change Project, with the support of Velux Foundation and Danish Red Cross with 4 major components:♦- Small Grants Scheme – provided

financial support for 16 youth projects implemented across the country and amounting to 33 007 BGN;

♦- Psychosocial support workshops in schools – 5 331 students reached. Issued handbook for Psychosocial Support Peer Educators in Schools;

♦- Summer camps for refugee children and children at risk – 53 children;

♦- Community Support Centre in the town of Sozopol – with overall capacity of 25 children.

♦♦Other Social services for children:

Bulgarian Red Cross Youth


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◊♦ Shelter for Homeless Children in Russe – 32 children;

◊♦ Day Care Centre for Homeless Children in Russe – 27 children;

◊♦ Family-type Protected Home for Children in Pazardjik – 20 children;

◊♦ Day Care Centre for Homeless Children in Pazardjik – 69 children;

◊♦ Community Support Centre for Children and Families in Dobrich – 39 children;

◊♦ Hot Meal Programme – during the 2012-2013 school year 966 vulnerable children received free lunch in school;

◊♦ 12 000 food packages were provided to vulnerable children;

◊♦ 375 visits to specialized institutions for children and adults. Reached 7 167 children and adults living in social care institutions or using community-based social services;

◊♦ Visits of children’s hospital wards across the country, where 2 000 hospitalized children received Christmas presents;

◊♦ Since October 2013 weekly psychosocial support activities for children living in centres for temporary accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers.

♦♦Health Promotion:◊♦ Prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually risky

behaviour, promotion of reproductive health – information campaigns, presentations in schools and trainings of volunteers. More than 72 000 young people reached;

◊♦ HIV/AIDS prevention and harm reduction activities among injecting drug users through a programme funded by the UN Global Fund in the towns of Russe and Kyustendil;

◊♦ 2 low-threshold day care centres for injecting drug users in the 2 cities;

◊♦ Substance Abuse Prevention – information campaigns and presentations in schools. More than 25 000 young people reached;

◊♦ Promotion of healthy eating habits and active lifestyle – information campaigns, presentations in schools and training for

volunteers – 8 468 children and young people reached.

♦♦ Promotion Of Humanitarian Values – information campaigns, presentations in schools and trainings for volunteers – 6 432 people reached.◊♦ Positive Images of Immigration in Bulgaria,

project funded by the European Integration Fund in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas. Issued Handbook for Trainers on promotion of humanitarian values, cultural diversity and non-discrimination. Conducted peer education sessions in schools for more than 1 700 highschool students.

♦♦ Exploring Humanitarian Law programme of the International Committee of the Red Cross – 187 volunteers trained in EHL – Issued Handbook for EHL Trainers.

♦♦ Fundraising Campaigns – raised over 63 000 BGN for vulnerable children and young people.

♦♦ International Activities:◊♦ Participation in the Global Youth

Conference in Vienna, Austria;◊♦ Representative of the Bulgarian Red Cross

Youth was part of the BRC delegation to the General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Sydney, Australia;

◊♦ Participation in the International Youth Leadership Academy organized by the Danish Red Cross;

◊♦ Participation in the European Network for Psychosocial Support.

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♦♦ Participation of the Bulgarian Red Cross in official forums of the Movement:

◊♦ 19th session of the IFRC General Assembly, the Council of Delegates, the Global Youth Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Annual Meeting of the Red Cross EU Office.

◊♦More than 250 representatives of the BRC have participated in international events. BRC was a host of nearly 60 visits of international partners.

♦♦ International projects – 25 projects funded by international donors, based on calls for proposals. 14 of them are managed by regional branches of the BRC.

♦♦ Supported by ECHO:

◊♦ European communication campaign “Silent Disasters”;

◊♦ Two pilot projects with international missions of EU humanitarian aid volunteers;

◊♦ Aware and Resilient project;◊♦ Newly approved PrepAge project;◊♦ Approved new European communication

campaign “Resilience Experience”.

♦♦ Participation in European and Red Cross networks – member of more than 11 networks and platforms, including ESP, ENDOV, ILSE, AGE, FAEEN, ENPS, IKAR, EFPG, ELSG, BPID, EPSG. One of the most significant events of the year was

the organization of the Annual Meeting of FAAEN in Bulgaria.

♦♦Membership in the Bulgarian NGO Platform for International Development.

♦♦ BRC has signed cooperation agreements in areas of common interest with 24 Red Cross Red Crescent societies. In 2013 the most active cooperation was ongoing with the national societies of the German, Swiss, Austrian, Netherlands and Danish Red Cross through joint projects and initiatives.

♦♦ 18 regional BRC branches maintain cooperation with branches of other national societies – Hellenic Red Cross, Macedonian Red Cross, Turkish Red Crescent, Romanian Red Cross, Red Cross of Serbia, German Red Cross, Austrian Red Cross, Netherlands Red Cross and the French Red Cross.

♦♦ International Aid – BRC provided international financial aid from own resources in response to the international appeals for the victims in Sudan and the Philippines.

♦♦ Tracing Service:

◊♦ Design and implementation of the online tracing initiative “Trace the Face”, together with 17 National Societies in Europe;

◊♦ Development and test of RFL Simulation Exercise Guide with the ICRC;

International Cooperation


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◊♦ BRC is the first European National Society which uses a phone for restoring family links in situations of increased migration movement (Syria refugees);

◊♦ Participated in the meetings of RFL Strategy Implementation Support Group and in the Annual Meeting of Tracing Services. The BRC will host the next Annual Meeting in 2014;

◊♦ 117 new cases for restoring family links. ◊♦ Active support and family reunification of

asylum seekers in Bulgaria;◊♦ Distributed information among Bulgarian

governmental and non-governmental partners: IFRC’s World Disaster Report, RCRC Movement Position on Climate Change for the UN conferences, etc.

♦♦ Promotion of International Humanitarian Law and Fundamental Principles. BRC participated in:

◊♦ ICRC campaign to prohibit the use of and completely eliminate nuclear weapons;

◊♦ European Legal Support Group – measure for protection of the victims of conflicts;

◊♦ 2 training courses on IHL for commanding and staff officers;

◊♦ Preparation of a representative group from law enforcement agencies on protection of human rights;

◊♦ Distribution of printed materials on the Chemical Weapons Convention 20th

Anniversary.

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♦♦ Public Relations:

◊♦ TV and Radio – 1 221 broadcasts;◊♦ Print Media and information agencies –

6 496 publications;◊♦ Regional Media – 4 246 publications and

broadcasts;◊♦ BRC website – 191 593 visits;◊♦ Facebook page of BRC – approximately

6 000 users;◊♦ Facebook page of the Hot Meal

Programme – approximately 2 500 unique visitors.

♦♦Media forums with central and regional media in relation to attitudes to the problems of refugees;

♦♦ Editions of the BRC:

◊♦ Weekly electronic bulletin – 48 issues;◊♦ “Bulgarian Red Cross magazine”;

◊♦ “Facts and Figures” 2009-2012;◊♦ “135 years in service of humanity”.

♦♦ Fundraising for humanitarian causes:

◊♦ Hot Meal Programme – raised 181 683 BGN, 1 320 children from 23 regions in the country received a free hot meal in school every;

◊♦ National Fund for Supporting Children, Victims of Traffic Accidents – with 24 065 BGN are assisted 34 children from the county;

◊♦ Helping refugees in Bulgaria – raised 90 163 BGN;

◊♦ Campaign in support to people affected by disasters, accidents and crisis – raised 4 590 BGN.

Public Relations, Marketing, Fundraising and Publishing


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It is the impartiality and neutrality of the organization that allow it to assist the vulnerable people in difficult situations, to be autonomous and be accessible to all. In order to fulfil its mission,

BRC needs the support and the response of the whole society.

CHARITY FUNDIIBAN in BGN: BG64UNCR 9660 1010 6880 21

BIC: UNCRBGSFUniCredit Bulbank

3, Kaloyan Str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

ПHOT MEAL PROGRAMMEIBAN in BGN: BG37UNCR 7000 1500 5335 32



NATIONAL CHARITY FUND FOR SUPPORTING CHILDREN-VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTSIBAN in BGN: BG64UNCR 7630 1077 1341 33



FUND FOR SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DISASTERS AND CRISESIBAN in BGN: BG47 UNCR 7630 1077 9117 00

BIC код: UNCRBGSF UniCredit Bulbank


FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTISTIC TALLENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

IBAN in BGN: BG13 UNCR 7000 1512 1422 45BIC: UNCRBGSFUniCredit Bulbank


HOME CARE PROGRAMMEIBAN в BGN: BG80 UNCR 7630 1000 0302 91



The Bulgarian Red Cross renders assistance to the vulnerable people in disaster and crisis situations, it contributes to alleviating and preventing the suffering in all its forms, protects health and life and ensures respect

for the human being.

Documents

Bulgarian Red Cross Facts Figures 2013