The document outlines the strategy of the Austrian Red Cross International Cooperation program from 2013-2017. It discusses trends in humanitarian aid like increased conflicts and disasters, threats to humanitarian space, and new actors. The strategy focuses on water/sanitation, food security, and disaster risk reduction in Eastern Africa, Southeast Europe, and the South Caucasus. It aims to save lives in emergencies, strengthen livelihoods and inclusion, and build resilience through partnerships within the Red Cross network. The strategy emphasizes capacity building of partners, advocacy, and diversifying funding sources to meet increasing humanitarian needs.

1. Saving lives,
changing minds
Strategy2013-2017
InternationalCooperation
AUSTRIAN RED CROSS
www.roteskreuz.at

2. 2 | Strategy 2013-2017
IMPRINT
Austrian Red Cross, Headquarters, International Cooperation, Wiedner Hauptstraße 32,
1041 Vienna, ZVR-No.: 432857691, Phone.: +43 1 589 00-190, E-Mail: service@redcross.
at, www.roteskreuz.at, www.redcross.at; Chief Editor: Max Santner, Photos: Austrian
Red Cross, Ethiopian Red Cross, IFRC, Graphics, layout & print: markushechenberger.net,
First edition. January 2013
This strategy was adopted by the 219th
Austrian Red Cross Governing Board meeting on
November, 16th 2012.

3. International Cooperation | 3

The Austrian Red Cross at a glance:
The Austrian Red Cross was founded and officially recognized in 1880.
Regional and national bodies have been established as non-profit societies under
Austrian law and act with legal and financial independence.
Over 60,000 volunteers and full-time professionals in 9 regional branches, 141 district
and 711 local branches work country wide to alleviate suffering and provide hu-
manitarian services to the Austrian population and abroad through health care and
ambulance services, blood donation, first aid, social and welfare services, tracing, and
disaster management.
The Austrian Red Cross International Cooperation Strategy 2013–2017 (The Strategy) depicts
the way the Austrian Red Cross (AutRC) will work in delivering aid internationally.
This Strategy is a product of a process undertaken by the AutRC International Cooperation (IC)
to analyse the external and internal factors influencing its humanitarian and development work.
This thorough analysis has led to a rethinking of the AutRC strategy for its IC, and the reshaping
of its operational activities from 2013 to 2017.
Based on this strategic document the AutRC will develop a multi-annual and annual work plans
defining detailed targets and activities for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the
AutRC IC strategic objectives.
Introduction

4. 4 | Strategy 2013-2017
In today’s fast changing world various trends pose huge challenges to people in need. The
number and severity of disasters, armed conflict and violence have increased. More than one
billion people live in areas affected by conflict and/or in a situation with weak state institutions,
poor governance, and governments being unable or unwilling to provide basic services and
security to its people.
Humanitarian space as a frame for humanitarian organizations to effectively, safely and impar-
tially provide assistance and protection to populations affected by conflict is under threat. With
the politicization of aid, there is increasingly a need for neutral, independent and impartial
humanitarian action.
Unforeseeable and more extreme weather events due to climate change threaten peoples
livelihood and safety. Complex disasters, the coincidence of multiple conflicts and disasters are
no longer an exception. The interrelated consequences are progressing environmental degra-
dation, competition over vital resources like food and water, and frequent migration. These
factors hit poor societies hardest, increase their vulnerability and hamper development.
More than half of the world’s population lives in urban or peri-urban settings. Population growth
and unregulated urbanisation implicate changing lifestyles, heavilyvarying income opportunities
and different forms of vulnerability, often leading to gross inequity and social exclusion among
societies.
More and new humanitarian actors, including public-private partnerships enter the humani-
tarian arena. The set up increases the challenge of humanitarian assistance’s coordination
and potentially blur the perception of development work. This trend consequently leads to a
competition for resources among traditional and new humanitarian actors.
Paternalistic attitudes vis-à-vis the so called third world gets fundamentally questioned.
Aid organizations and donors change their conceptual and operational approaches to devel-
opment, and adapt their funding instruments and modalities accordingly. South-south cooper-
ation will be promoted rather than North-south cooperation in development work. Service
delivery, advisory measures and knowledge management in humanitarian assistance and
development efforts are getting more important.
New partnerships within and beyond the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will be
necessary to ensure that humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable are met timely, effectively
and efficiently and realize positive sustainable change.
Context

Due to a changing environment,
huge challenges lie ahead of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, constituting the
International Committee of the
Red Cross, the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies, and 188 Red
Cross and Red Crescent National
Societies. As the world’s largest
humanitarian organization, the
Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement faces up to the
upcoming changes based on its
vision “Saving lives, changing
minds”.

5. International Cooperation | 5
Strategic Frame

International framework
documents (among others)
■■ United Nations: “Millennium
Development Goals”, “Hyogo
Framework for Action”
■■ OECD: “Paris Declaration”, “Ac-
cra Agenda for Action”, “Busan
Global Partnership for Effective
Development Cooperation”
■■ European Union: “EU Agenda
for Change”, “EU Consensus
on Humanitarian Aid”, “EU
Consensus on Development”
The strategic direction, the operational focus and the scope of the AutRC IC activities are based
on the needs of the most vulnerable people and their socio-economic challenges.
Humanitarian standards, international policy documents in the field of development and human-
itarian aid and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement build the framework
of our activities.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The seven Fundamental Red Cross Principles constitute the frame for all Red Cross and Red
Crescent humanitarian activities.
The vision of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
defines the overarching goal of all activities: “Saving lives, changing minds”, and the IFRC
Strategy 2020 lines out three strategic aims:
1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises
2. Enable healthy and safe living
3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace
Austrian Red Cross
The activities of the AutRC IC are embedded in the AutRC Strategy and Strategy 2020 of the
IFRC. Related to the legal framework in Austria the responsibilities of the AutRC are constituted
by the AutRC Law, stipulating the AutRC being auxiliary in humanitarian services to the Austrian
government. Within the organization the responsibilities and organizational set up is outlined
by the AutRC Statutes.
The AutRC statutory documents assign the strategic and operational lead of AutRC inter-
national activities exclusively to the responsibility of the AutRC headquarters in Vienna. The
international and national work of the AutRC is, however, mutually inspiring. AutRC volunteers,
branches and the AutRC Youth contribute to the AutRC international work. Public information
about AutRC international work communicated by Marketing and Communications supports
the overall image of the AutRC among the public and authorities, and strengthens thereby the
public support for the AutRC work as a whole.

Fundamental Red Cross Principles
Humanity:
people caring for people
Impartiality:
aid doesn’t differentiate
Neutrality:
humanitarian initiatives need trust
Independence:
our principles are maintained
through self-determination
Voluntary Service:
true aid must be free of self
interest
Unity:
only one in any given country,
open to all
Universality:
humanitarian values are global

6. 6 | Strategy 2013-2017
The AutRC IC works explicitly on a needs-based approach for, by and with the most vulnerable
people.
In order to optimize the impact of our work, there is a need to have a focus. In long-term devel-
opment work and in the emergency response, our thematic focus is on water, sanitation and
hygiene combined with food security, and in disaster risk reduction with a focus on climate change
adaptation. In addition, social inclusion will be given special attention.
Emergency response and recovery activities will be carried out globally according to needs
and based on our capacities. We foster the link between relief, rehabilitation and development.
In our long-term strategic engagement we will follow a regional focus. Eastern Africa, South-
Eastern and Eastern Europe, and the South Caucasus will be our target regions, the current
engagement in Asia will be reviewed in the coming years. We are committed to cooperate
in long-term partnerships within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Through all our
activities we aim to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable individuals, communities and institutions.
Recognizing the changing environment new ways of thinking and working are prerequisite to
prevent and alleviate human suffering, to save and protect lives and to ensure the respect for
the rights of the human being.
We are striving to act as a reliable and competent partner in humanitarian aid and devel-
opment work within our core competences. Our activities follow high standards for the benefit
of the vulnerable and are valued by the public, and partners within and beyond the Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement. We follow a sustainable and integrated approach by delivering
humanitarian services. Providing knowledge management within our core competencies is a
major part of our service delivery.
Our Vision
Our Approach

Resilience is the ability of
individuals, communities,
organizations, or countries
exposed to disasters and crises
and underlying vulnerabilities to:
■■ anticipate
■■ reduce the impact of
■■ cope with
■■ and recover from the effects of
adversity without compromising
their long-term prospects.
Thematic focus
- Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and
Food security
- Disaster Preparedness
- Social Inclusion
Regional focus
- Eastern Africa
- South-Eastern and Eastern Europe
- South Caucasus

7. International Cooperation | 7
In our strategic engagement, the combination of thematic and regional focus linked with capacity
development will constitute our programmatic approach. However, there will be a shift from
explicit service delivery to increased provision of advisory support and knowledge exchange.
As a result there will be a need for intensified engagement in advocacy on behalf of the most
vulnerable. Thereby the concept of Humanitarian Diplomacy demonstrates the responsibility to
persuade decision makers and opinion leaders to act at all times in the interests of vulnerable
people, and with full respect of our Fundamental Principles.
While focusing our operational engagement thematically and regionally, we will build on enhanced
cooperation with partners primarily within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. To meet
the needs of the most vulnerable in a holistic approachwe see the necessity for a division of labour
among the partners. Partnership will further be key to successfully addressing the changing donor
landscape and to diversifying resource mobilization opportunities.
Professionally trained and experienced human resources are vital and prerequisite to the future
increasing provision of advisory support and expertise in our core competences.
We strive to deliver our work according to professional standards in the humanitarian sector, with
high quality, sensitive to gender, age and other socio-economic considerations, in a timely and
appropriate manner. We have to consider eventual environmental consequences of our activities
and strive to avoid any harm. Accountability to our stakeholders and above all, to our beneficiaries,
and transparency of our activities are a cornerstone of our work.

Humanitarian Standards
(among others)
■■ “Code of Conduct for the In-
ternational Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement and NGOs
in Disaster Relief”
■■ “Humanitarian Charter and
Minimum Standards in Humani-
tarian Response/SPHERE”

8. 8 | Strategy 2013-2017
■■ We integrate disaster risk reduction planning in our emergency response activities from the
earliest feasible stage, and further the linking of the emergency response activities to reco-
very and development.
Strategic Objective 2
Protect livelihoods, enable healthy and safe living and promote social inclusion: We provide
an important contribution to strengthen the resilience of people in need and support them in
reducing their risk of being exposed to disasters, crises and underlying vulnerabilities.
■■ We contribute with our expertise and experience in water supply, sanitation and hygiene
promotion, combined with food security, to better livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
■■ We support Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and communities to be better
prepared for disasters and to mitigate the impact of disasters for the communities with a
special focus on climate change adaptation.
■■ We support and advocate for disadvantaged groups – who are unable to enjoy the general
benefits of the society – in their basic needs and to have greater access to public available
services.
Strategic Objectives 2013-2017
Enabling action 1
Support Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, capacity development
Enabling action 2
Advocacy and public education & trainings (Humanitarian Diplomacy)
Enabling action 3
Building cooperation within the Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement and beyond
Strategic Objective 1
Save lives and strengthen recovery
from disasters and crises
Strategic Objective 2
Protect livelihoods, enable healthy
and safe living and promote
social inclusion
Strategy 2013-2017
Austrian Red Cross – International Cooperation
Strategic Objective 1
Save lives and strengthen recovery from
disasters and crises: We respond to the needs
of disaster affected through providing financial
aid, material and relevant expertise.
■■ We respond to disasters and crises world-
wide in a timely and effective manner,
efficient and based on the needs of the
affected population. In our response we
only add to what is not provided by local,
national or regional sources.
■■ We support the most vulnerable to recover
after disasters and crises and make them
resilient to cope with future disasters and
adversities.
■■ We strengthen national and regional
emergency response systems with a special
focus on Europe, where we are part of the
national and regional response system.

9. International Cooperation | 9
Enabling action 1
Support Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, capacitydevelopment: We acknowledge
the leading position of our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in their home
country and will support them to fulfil their mandate and to provide services for the most
vulnerable.
■■ In all our programmes and projects we aim to strengthen and to further develop the capacity
of our respective partners in order to be a well-functioning Red Cross and Red Crescent
National Society at both headquarters and branch levels.
■■ We support our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in project imple-
mentation by financial support, and providing technical expertise in our core competencies.
We assist our partners by capacity development with a special focus on project cycle ma-
nagement, thus specifically in planning, proposal writing, donor relations, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation.
Enabling action 2
Advocacy and public education and trainings (Humanitarian Diplomacy): We engage in policy
dialogue on all levels with decision makers and opinion leaders on behalf of the vulnerable.
■■ We formulate, promote and defend the rights of the vulnerable by operationalizing the
Red Cross and Red Crescent Fundamental Principles.
■■ We take active part in public and internal awareness and educational activities by positio-
ning humanitarian issues and promoting AutRC IC core competencies.
■■ We network and liaise within and beyond the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to
lobby for Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian positions.
Enabling action 3
Building cooperation within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and beyond: We build
on enhanced partnership to promote a holistic view of the target populations´ needs, and
an integrated approach in providing our services. Thereby we strive to improve the quality,
efficiency and overall impact of our work.
■■ In our emergency response we build on and foster the coordination function and capacities of
the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International
Committee of the Red Cross.
■■ In our long-term engagement we seek partnership within and beyond the Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement in order to complement competencies, use synergies, share costs
and increase efficiency.
■■ We use partnership to jointly address traditional and new funding channels. Thereby we aim
to create a diversified financial basis for our activities and sustain our long-term commitment.

10. 10 | Strategy 2013-2017
■■ European Commission. EU Agenda for Change,
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/development-policies/documents/agenda_for_
change_en.pdf
■■ European Commission. EU Consensus on Development,
http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/eu_consensus_en.pdf
■■ European Commission. EU Consensus on Humanitarian Aid,
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2008:025:0001:0012:EN:PDF
■■ Inter-Agency Standing Committee. Inter Agency Standing Committee Coordination Mechanisms,
http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/iasc
■■ International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
http://www.icrc.org
■■ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
http://www.ifrc.org
■■ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Strategy 2020,
http://www.ifrc.org/Global/Publications/general/strategy-2020.pdf
■■ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the ICRC.
Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs
in Disaster Relief,
http://www.ifrc.org/Global/Publications/disasters/code-of-conduct/code-english.pdf
■■ OECD. Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and Accra Agenda for Action,
http://www.oecd.org/dac/aideffectiveness/34428351.pdf
■■ OECD. Busan Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation,
http://www.oecd.org/dac/aideffectiveness/49650173.pdf
■■ Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness. Istanbul Principles for CSO Develop-
ment Effectiveness,
http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/IMG/pdf/final_istanbul_cso_development_effectiven-
ess_principles_footnote_december_2010-2.pdf
■■ Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz (ÖRK).
http://www.roteskreuz.at
■■ The Sphere Project. Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards
in Humanitarian Response/SPHERE,
http://www.sphereproject.org/
■■ United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Hyogo Framework for Action,
http://www.unisdr.org/files/1037_hyogoframeworkforactionenglish.pdf
■■ Vereinten Nationen. Millennium Development Goals,
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals
Further links

11. International Cooperation | 11
The Fundamental Red Cross Principles
Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance
without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, 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 to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes
mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation 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 any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
Independence
The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian
services 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.

12. AUSTRIAN RED CROSS