Red Crescent Society

 

               

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1 - National context:

Sudan is a diverse country, both physically and culturally. Its geography varies from desert in the north to tropical rain forests in the far south. The population of Sudan is 26 million, made up from more than 70 district ethnic groups. Its people are predominantly rural, with more than 25% living in rural or semi rural areas. Agriculture is the backbone of the Sudanese economy, with farms ranging from small scale and traditional farms to large irrigation schemes. Sudan's social indicators are moderate for Africa, and show a life expectancy of 53 years, an infant mortality rate of 78 per, 1000, while one third of children under 5 are underweight and 43% of adults are life rate.

2 - Foundation:

(a) Mission:

The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) fully embraces the Fundamental Principles of the Movement. Relations between the Society and the government are good, and are based on the independence of the Society in taking decisions and carrying out its activities. The SRCS has a generally positive image amongst the Sudanese public and government.

(b) Legal base:

The SRCS was founded in 1956 and joined the movement in 1957. The last General Assembly was held in 1996. The constitution was revised. The General Assembly approved a resolution passed by the central committee, which gives autonomy to the regional branches.

(c) Constituency:

The SRCS volunteers are present all over Sudan, however the structure of the branches have been revised to cover the entire territory of Sudan. In this regard 21 branches out of the total 26 have been established.

The General Assembly represents the highest authority. It is held every two years with national election every four years. The Central Committee meets every six months to follow up on the implementation of the General Assembly resolutions and recommendations. The executive committee meets on a monthly basis to follow up and monitor the performance of the SRCS management. There are branch executive committees and Youth and women's committees which meet regularly at the regional state, district and village levels.

3 - Capacity:

(a) Leadership:

The role of the society's governing bodies with regard to the management is well defined. The departments at headquarters and at the state branches have clear mandates which relate to the mission of the SRCS.

SRCS regional branch directors meet regularly with the secretary general to share reports, exchange views and participate in training sessions often with technical support from the Federation. The other headquarters and branch personnel have also participated in training workshops on project planning and administration and other topics in their respective fields.

(b) Human resources:

The SRCS has 400 staff members, of which 70 work at the headquarters. Of these 25% are professionals, 45% are administration/clerks, 10% drivers 10% guards and 10% cleaners/messengers/labourers. The Society has found it very difficult to maintain and attract staff of good calibre mainly because of the modest salaries and benefits it offers. God staff are tempted to join UN agencies, international NGOs, private companies and banks, which on average pay three times more than the SRCS.

The Society has a total enrolment of 220,000 members, but the number of active volunteers is estimated at 10,000. Volunteers participate actively in the Society's various health and social activities.

(c) Financial resources:

In 1995/96, the SRCS headquarters income was USD 192.000 excluding projects. The Society raised most of this from its own resources, mainly from revenue from buildings rents, resource development projects, donations from Sudanese businessmen, membership and certificate fees. The budget of the projects for the same period was estimated at USD 1.855.627. The SRCS is now approaching the Sudanese public whose contribution is becoming more significant, especially at the time of festivals and other social occasions. The Society attaches importance to the collection of membership fees and approaches funding institutions both at home and abroad.

(d) Material resources:

The Society owns good buildings in five state capitals including Khartoum, and there are premises belonging to branches at the village and district levels. It has nine warehouses around the country. There are two large warehouses with capacity of 7000 MT per each. The next three capacity 3000 MT while the other vary from 100-80 MT. The SRCS has a fleet of 50 vehicles all over Sudan, 30 of them are in good working condition including light vehicles and trucks. Most of the vehicles are more than seven years old. There are also four vehicle workshops to provide repair and maintenance.

(e) Organization:

The SRCS has a framework for development co-operation which was signed in 1993. It identified the areas where external support is needed as disaster preparedness, health services, post-disaster rehabilitation, community development, institutional development and resource development. The total budget for projects contained in the framework is USD 24 million.

SRCS accounts are audited annually by a certified auditor who produces a report which is submitted to the General Assembly for consideration.

The SRCS works as a partner with ICRC and has project contracts with UNHCR, WP and CARE. In the health field it collaborates with WHO for primary health care. It has been co-operating with the Red Cross Societies of Germany, Denmark, Norway, Britain, Netherlands and Sweden. The SRCS has signed an agreement with the Federation concerning implementation of relief programmes and a counterpart system is used. The SRCS president is a vice-president of the Federation and member of the Federation executive council.

4 - Performance:

(a) Activities:

a - 1 Relief:

The SRCS has for several years provided food, health and other forms of assistance to several hundreds of thousands of displaced people in different areas of the country. Safe drinking water is provided to the residents of camps for displaced people in the Khartoum area.

a - 2 Health Services:

Volunteers at the branch level help in community mobilization, dissemination, training of first aid and primary health care, vaccinations and in AIDS control programmes. They also participate in rubbish collection campaigns, construction and maintenance of public institutions such as schools, health centres, building dams and digging shallow wells. A malaria Control Project for the displaced people around Khartoum have been implemented with support from the Federation. This programme is expecting to be extended to a new areas (Northern State, El Gazira State and White Nile State) in the year 1998.

a - 3 Community programmes:

A number of community development projects have been carried out, notably in different areas of the Red Sea Hills with the support of participating Societies.

(b) Relevance / Effectiveness:

The Danish Red Cross have evaluated Derudeb and Hayia Development Project in 1996. The evaluation team comprise donors (DRC) representative, external consultant, SRCS and Local Community's committee. They have recommended an adjustment of the project activities. SRCS should give priority to human resources development and to strengthen its local branches for the enhancement of the programme sustainabilities.

5 - Programme areas seeking external support:

(a) The institutional development programme contains plans of action for training projects, branch development, communication and networking, and research and data analysis.

(b) The Society has also prepared programmes for health education, dissemination, and the assessment and monitoring projects for which it is seeking support.

 

 

STATUTES OF THE SUDANESE RED CRESCENT SOCIETY

FOUNDING OF THE SOCIETY

1 - A society bearing the name of the "Sudanese Red Crescent" shall be founded in the Republic of the Sudan. It is based on the principles of voluntary service and independence and acts as an organization auxiliary to the public authorities, particularly with respect to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

HUMANITY:

The international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battle field, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, co-operation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

IMPARTIALITY:

It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

NEUTRALITY:

In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

INDEPENDENCE:

The movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian service of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

VOLUNTARY SERVICE:

It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

UNITY:

There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one Country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

UNIVERSALITY:

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide:

1 - The Sudanese Red Crescent Society headquarters is in Khartoum and its activities extend throughout the territory of the Republic of the Sudan. The Society may establish committees in different regions of the Country. The Society shall not interfere in religious or racial disputes.

2 - Head of the State shall be the patron of the Society.

3 - The distinctive emblem of the Society is a red Crescent on a white ground.

4 - The Sudanese Red Crescent is officially recognized as the only National Red Crescent Society in the Republic of the Sudan in accordance with article 4 of the statues of the Red Crescent Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

5 - The Society (its branches, institutions and establishments) is entitled to all the privileges and immunities specified in the Geneva Conventions.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY

6 - The Society shall work to achieve the objectives of the Red Crescent in time of peace and war.

7 - In order to achieve the objectives, the Society shall perform the following tasks without distinction or discrimination:

(a) To work in wartime, as an organization auxiliary to the armed forces medical services, on the basis of co-operation and integration in all the fields of activity specified by the Geneva Conventions, in favour of all civilian and military victims of war. The tasks include in particular transport of the wounded and sick, establishment of hospitals in sites to be determined by the military authorities, provision of means of transport, assistance to victims and prisoners of war, arranging for the exchange of messages, storage of equipments, medicines and other supplies necessary for care of prisoners, hygiene and the establishment of hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, pharmacies, first-aid centres and blood banks.

(b) To organize first-aid in the Republic of the Sudan.

(c) To provide urgent assistance as needed to the victims of disasters.

(d) To participate in the treatment of injuries due to accidents, the control of epidemics, disease prevention and improvement of health through medical and social services, and teaching.

(e)To promote the nursing profession, by recruiting and training nurses and other volunteers to work in hospitals and deal with emergencies. This shall be done in particular by organizing training courses and by setting up, or helping to set up, and by managing nursing and first-aid institutions.

(f) To participate in social services.

(g) To provide first aid at the scene of disasters and to transfer the sick and wounded to first-aid centres and hospitals.

(h) To establish sound relations and exchange knowledge with Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in other countries, and with similar organizations.

(i) To carry out any tasks other than those mentioned above, in time of peace and war, according to circumstance and in harmony with the objectives of the Red Crescent.

(j) To disseminate knowledge of the fundamental principles of the movement and of international humanitarian law in order to develop among the population and in particular among young people, the ideals of solidarity and peace.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

8 - The Society's financial resources consist of :

(a) Its own real estate.

(b) Its annual revenue, which includes:

- membership subscriptions, which shall be fixed by the central committee.

- donations, contributions and government subsidies.

- revenue from its fixed and movable property.

- and other resources approved by the Central Committee.

9 - The Society's fiscal year begins on the first of July and end on the last day of June of each year.

10 - The Society's funds are to be spent on its objectives and may not be used for other purposes.

11 - The Society shall have an annual budget. The budget, the final accounts and the reports of the Executive Committee shall be submitted to the Central Committee for approval.

12 - Membership of the Society is open to all persons, legal or physical, without any discrimination. Honorary membership is awarded to persons who have rendered significant services or have carried out important tasks for the Society.

13 - There shall be two categories of members :

(a) Active members, who meet the conditions of membership and contribute work and money.

(b) Honorary members, who are designated by the Central committee for their usefulness or for important services rendered to the Society.

14 - The active or affiliated member must :

(a) Be of god conduct and behavior.

(b) Accept in writing the regulations of the Society and undertake to respect them.

(c) Not have been expelled from any public or private organization for reasons pertaining to honour or dignity.

(d) Be no less than 18 years of age.

(e) Submit a membership application showing name, nationality, profession, and residence. Applications all be submitted to executive Committee, which may accept or reject the candidate. An applicant who has been refused membership has the right to appeal to the Central Committee, whose decision shall be final.

15 - A member may be expelled for the following reasons :

(a) If he acts in manner that may cause serious material or moral damage to the Society and its branches.

(b) If he uses his membership for personal gain.

(c) If he breaks the regulations of the Society or disregads its traditions.

The decision to expel a member shall be taken by the Central Committee after the reasons have been verified and the member concerned has been heard. The decision shall be made final by the Central Committee after the expire of appeal period.

STRUCTURE

16 - The Society is composed of the following:

(a) The Executive Committee.

(b) The Central Committee.

(c)The General Assembly.

(d) The States Branches.

(e) The Local Units.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

17 - The Executive Committee of the Central Committee is made up of ten members : the president, the Vice-president, The Secretary General, the treasurer and six (6) other members elected by the Central Committee. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for all the duties delegated to it by the Central Committee. Meeting of the executive Committee shall not be valid unless attended b at least five members, including the president or vice-president.

THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

18 - The Society is administered by a Central Committee composed of 30 members, all of whom are Sudanese National and not less than twenty-one years of age :

(a) 22 are elected by General Assembly.

(b) 6 members represent the following:

1 - Ministry of Health.

2 - 2 members from Ministry of Social Planning.

3 - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

4 - Medical Corps.

5 - Ministry of Justice.

(c) 2 public figures appointed by the Central Committee. The Central Committee is elected for a period of four years. Members of the Central Committee may be re-elected more than once.

19 - At its first meeting, the Central Committee shall elect from among its members the president, a Vice-president and a treasurer of its Executive Committee, it shall specify in its regulations, the duties of the President, the vice-president and the treasurer.

20 - Meeting of the Central Committee shall not be valid unless attended by the President or the vice-president and at least one third of its members. Its decisions are taken by the majority of the members present. If the votes are equal, the president shall have a casting vote. If there is no quorum at the first meeting, another shall be convened within two days of the first. The second meeting, shall be valid with any number of members present provided that the president or the Vice-president is present. The Central Committee shall meet at least once every six months. The president or any sixteen members of the Central Committee may call extraordinary meeting at any time.

21 - The Central Committee shall :

(a) Draw up general policy to achieve the Society's objectives.

(b) Adopt administrative and financial regulations to govern the functioning of the Society. It shall also organize states branches and draw up their regulations, and make the appropriate decisions for the investment of reserve funds.

22 - The Central Committee shall appoint, from among its members or others, a Secretary General who shall be authorized to manage any of its internal affairs. The Committee shall assign the tasks to be carried out by the Secretary General, such as the appointment of personnel, imposition of sanctions-except dismissal-approval of orders of payment and supervision of administrative and financial affairs. He shall also carry out decisions of the executive and Central Committee and perform any other tasks. The Central Committee shall fix the fees of the Secretary General. The Central Committee may appoint technical advisers such as physicians, first-aid and nursing specialists, social assistants and legal advisers for foreign and international affairs, their fees shall be fixed by decision of the Central Committee. All or some of the advisers concerned maybe invited to attend sessions of the Central committee; however, they are not allowed to vote.

23 - In time of war, the Central Committee may delegate all or some of its duties and responsibilities to the president, the vice-president any other of its members, or to a Commission of members.

24 - The president or the person he delegates shall represent the Society on dealing with administrative and judicial bodies. The president shall invite the Central and Executive Committee to convene. If the president is absent, he is represented by the Vice-president or the eldest member. The Central Committee, at the suggestion of the president, may entrust the Vice-president with some of the president's duties.

25 - The general Assembly of the Sudanese Red Crescent as a whole is composed of the members of the Central Committee and the representatives of the states branches which will be represented by 5 to 8 members according to their population density. The General Assembly is the Society's highest authority.

26 -

1 - The General Assembly meets a normal meeting every 2 years and for the election of the Central Committee every four years.

2 - The General Assembly shall :

(a) Approve the financial of accountant of the past year.

(b) Approve the budget.

(c) Examine the Central Committee's report on activities of the previous year and the auditor's report.

(d) Designate the auditor.

27 -The General Assembly shall not examine matters not included in the agenda unless the majority of its members wishes to raise a specific question not on the agenda.

28 - Meeting of the General Assembly are not valid unless attended by more than half of its members. If there is no quorum, the meeting shall be postponed for one hour; then it is valid with any number of members present.

29 - Invitations to attend the General Assembly shall be sent to the members by registered mail to their addresses together with the proposed agenda and a copy of the issues to be discussed. The invitation shall be sent at least one week before the meeting and may be publicly announced in a large-circulation newspaper in case of emergency.

30 - Decisions taken by the General Assembly are not valid unless approved by the majority of the members present at its meeting.

31 - The absolute majority of the Central Committee or at least twenty percent of the members of the General Assembly has the right to ask the Central Committee to hold an extraordinary session if necessary.

AMENDMENT OF THE STATUTES

32 - The Extraordinary General Assembly shall convene to examine important and urgent issues; it is the body which is entitled to amend the statutes. The statutes can only be amended by decision of the General Assembly taken by two third majority of those present and voting. The proposed amendments should be submitted to the ICRC and the IFRC, in accordance with resolution of the twenty second of the international conference of Red Cross.

STATE BRANCHES

33 - At the proposal of the president the Central Committee shall establish one state branch in every state to be run by a state council.

34 - The state branches shall establish state units in towns and villages to be administered by councils.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

35 - The Sudanese Red Crescent emblem is a Red Crescent on white back ground. The emblem shall be used by the National Society, in accordance with the provision of the International Humanitarian Law and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement.

BINDING NATURE OF THE PROVISIONS OF THESE STATUTES

36 - The Society shall be bound by the provisions of these Statutes in carrying out its duties.

 

C.V.

Professor Mamoun Yousif Hamid

Born in 4.08.1931, Ailafon Khartoum State.

President of SRC since 1990.

Vice president International Federation of Red Cross / Red Crescent since Oct. 1993.

Member of executive committee of Arab Red Crescent Society Council.

Sudan Minister of Health 1989.

Professor of Social Medicine and Child Health University of Khartoum 1968.

Doctor of Dedicive (M.D) 1968.

Diploma of Child Health 1966 Royal College of Phyianu (U.K).

Academic Diploma in Public Health (DPH) University of London 1963.

Member of Sudan Medical Council.

Member of Faculty Board of Medicine Faculty U. of K.

Member of Advisory Council of Sudan Minister of Health.

 

C.V.

OMER OSMAN MAHMOUD

- Secretary General, Sudanese Red Crescent Society

(1992-to date).

- BSc Agriculture Alexandria University Egypt

- Ministry of Agriculture (Plant Protection)

- Islamic African Relief Agency

- Nafir Public Organization (Director)

- Head of International relation Islamic African Relief Agency

- Assignments, workshops Seminars in different countries.

- Deputy Director, Sudan Council of Voluntary Agencies 1989-1991.

 

C.V.

MOAWIA HASSAN FADLALA

Head of Information and Dissemination SRC 1994.

Born in Omdurman Sudan.

Awarded B.A. of Art (Sociology) Cairo University K. Branch.

Served with the Government of Sudan Mass media as :

* Deputy Director General, Sudan Broadcasting service.

* Director general, mass communication Academy 1979.

* Director general National Co-operation for Radio T.V. 1973.

* General manager, Sudan News Agency 1991.

* Secretary general, National Co-operation Information and Production 1992.

* Outside lecturer of mass Communication at Omdurman Islamic University, High Institute for Music and Dram, Mass Communication Academy, and Institute of Mass Combination (Sharq E/Nile College).