Since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, intensive efforts have been underway at the Argeen Crossing, where the Egyptian Red Crescent working in collaboration with Egyptian state bodies has established relief centres to provide services to Egyptians arriving from Sudan, as well as to individuals of other nationalities who have sought refuge at the Egyptian-Sudanese border.
Rami Al-Nazer, executive director of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), told Al-Ahram Weekly that the organisation has been in constant communication with its counterpart the Sudanese Red Crescent since the outbreak of the conflict to follow up on developments and help evacuate Egyptian students residing in Egypt’s southern neighbour.
“The ERC has been collaborating with the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement and other international partners to decide on courses of action regarding the arrival of Egyptians and other nationalities at the Argeen Crossing. This is well-secured,” Al-Nazer said.
A large number of Egyptians, including students, live in Sudan, he added, pointing out that “the ERC is still providing services to those in need in coordination with state executive agencies, particularly the Ministry of Social Solidarity.”
“As part of its relief efforts, the Egyptian Red Crescent has mobilised its Aswan branch along with its primary unit comprising over 135 dedicated volunteers and regular staff members to establish relief centres to address the urgent needs of those affected by the Sudan crisis,” Al-Nazer said.
The relief centres cater to a range of needs, including facilitating the documentation and safe passage of elderly individuals and those with disabilities. They also provide meals and personal care packages and organise transportation for individuals to their destination of choice, either within Aswan governorate or to any other governorate, he added.
The centres prioritise medical services, with trained staff members offering first aid and providing vital medications, especially insulin, to individuals with chronic illnesses.
Special attention is given to psychological support services, particularly for the elderly who may have been exposed to distressing circumstances. A dedicated centre has been set up to offer psychological support to young children, Al-Nazer said.
The relief centres have thus far provided essential services to 230,000 individuals at the Argeen Crossing, Al-Nazer stated. The ERC has also reached out to individuals in Sudan to provide them with crucial communication services such as telephone lines, Internet access, international calls, and mobile chargers to enable them to check on their families in Sudan and help them to reunite, he added.
A partnership between the ERC and the EU, facilitated through the Ministry of Social Solidarity, is also providing a range of projects aimed at providing relief and medical supplies to those affected by the Sudanese crisis. The EU has contributed 20 tons of medical and relief aid towards this effort.
The partnership between the ERC and the EU aims to provide initial medical examinations, treatment services, and laboratory analyses for refugees in Egypt. “The ERC is exploring opportunities for further collaboration with donors, including the EU, to implement long-term projects that encompass cash assistance, food provisions, psychological support, aid for children, and medical services,” Al-Nazer said.
On a wider scale, the ERC has also extended support to associations in other countries affected by disasters, as was the case following the earthquake in Syria. The ERC, in collaboration with Egyptian executive bodies, prepared 1,000 tons of aid to be sent to the affected areas. An international relief team was also dispatched to Syria to offer support to all those impacted by the disaster, he added.
The ERC has also sent humanitarian and relief assistance to Palestine, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and other Arab and African states.
The ERC, being a civil society entity, has 30,000 volunteers who are always ready to extend support. “The ERC operates under the purview of the Ministry of Social Solidarity spearheaded by Nevine Al-Qabbaj, who provides unwavering support to the organisation’s volunteers. The ERC has also participated in the development of the National Strategy for Volunteering, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity,” Al-Nazer noted.
The ministry is currently studying the draft of the strategy ahead of its launch. It is expected to include the establishment of a National Committee for Volunteering, with the support of relevant ministries and the participation of civil society bodies and volunteer agencies to ensure its effective implementation.
The strategy is meant to expand the scope of volunteering opportunities to include all age groups, ranging from children to the elderly. It will also establish a mechanism for coordinating volunteer efforts, alongside the creation of a website to facilitate applications by volunteers and promote digital volunteering.
A unified database will also be developed that will include information on the age, location, and educational background of volunteers in various sectors.
The ERC has been working to promote other beneficial practices in society, including blood donations, Al-Nazer said.
It operates a network of five blood banks across the country and is an active participant in the Supreme Council for the Control of Blood Transfusions.
According to Al-Nazer, spreading awareness about the importance of blood donation can save lives and help many individuals, especially those suffering from illnesses such as cancer.
He said that the ERC relies on donations and grants from various donors to fund its operations and that the global economic crisis is affecting donations and funding. The resulting shortage of resources could impact the services the ERC provides, and it is continuing to collect funds and promote its services to the public, he noted.
The ERC aims to “prepare society to become more shock-absorbent,” Al-Nazer said. The mission of the ERC is to provide training to individuals and communities on how to respond to and deal with crises and disasters. This includes providing training on first aid, survival procedures, and how to save lives in times of crisis.
The ERC also offers first-aid courses that can be attended in person or online.
The ERC was established in 1912 through the voluntary efforts of prominent figures in society at the time. It is a non-governmental association that operates in accordance with the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including neutrality, non-discrimination, independence, and human unity and universality.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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