The Ukrainian Red Cross, in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, held a joint event titled ‘More than Food Aid: National Societies as Leaders in Early Recovery’

At an event during the General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross, emphasised that resilient communities are key to rebuilding the country.

On 24 October, the Ukrainian Red Cross, in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, held a joint event titled ‘More than Food Aid: National Societies as Leaders in Early Recovery’ during the IFRC General Assembly in Geneva.

During the event, participants discussed how responding to a humanitarian crisis involves not only providing initial assistance but also ensuring long-term recovery. Representatives from the Ukrainian Red Cross, American Red Cross, Turkish Red Crescent, and Syrian Arab Red Crescent shared insights on how humanitarian crises have shaped and influenced their recovery plans.

“Today, the Ukrainian Red Cross is demonstrating that humanitarian response must be accompanied by early recovery in full compliance with government strategies and the long-term goal of creating conditions for the future return of citizens. Recovery and reconstruction begin at the community level, with the gradual introduction of values and principles such as accountability and transparency. The 200 local branches of the Ukrainian Red Cross comprise representatives from these communities and thus serve as the face and embodiment of those communities. Resilient communities are key to the country’s recovery,” said Maksym Dotsenko in his speech.

“Communities have their own recovery plans, but funding for these plans must be sufficient to meet the needs identified in the social vulnerability index,” stated Jarrett Barrios, Senior Vice President of International Services/Services to Armed Forces at the American Red Cross.

Kurtulus Aciksari, Director General of the Disaster Management and Climate Change Department of the Turkish Red Crescent, noted that recovery includes the restoration of human dignity.