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Red Cross National Societies in the Americas have pledged
to intensify their efforts in order to better protect communities
from disasters, ensure adequate access to health care and
prevent discrimination against vulnerable groups, including
migrants and people living with HIV (PLWHA).
At the end of a four day regional
conference which took place from June 4-7 in Guayaquil,
Ecuador, participants reaffirmed their commitment to
making communities healthier and safer by adopting the “Guayaquil Commitment,” which
underscores the need to “address the underlying
factors that lead to increased vulnerability.”
The declaration says the Red
Cross in the Americas will pay “particular attention
to awareness, adaptation and action related to climate
change.”
“The Americas is one of the most disaster-prone
regions on earth, affected on a regular basis by natural
catastrophes, which are increasingly exacerbated by climate
change, as well as poverty, inequity and unplanned mass
urbanization,” said the secretary general of the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, Markku Niskala. “We must scale up our
efforts to ensure that vulnerable communities are prepared
to meet these multiple challenges head-on.”
More than 300 representatives of all the National Societies
in the Americas, as well as the International Federation
and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
and other aid organizations took part in the 18th Inter-American
Conference.
Participants discussed a range
of issues involving community risk reduction, health
and the promotion of non-discrimination and respect for
diversity. In addition to approving the Guayaquil Commitment,
they also endorsed a plan which sets the Red Cross’ humanitarian
agenda for the region over the next four years.
“Thanks to these successful discussions, we now
have a firm consensus on the best way forward,” said
Juan Cueva Ortega, president of the Ecuadorian Red Cross,
which hosted the event. “This includes increasing
our efforts in the areas of HIV and AIDS, with a
focus on prevention, care and treatment, as well as fighting
stigma.”
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| Dr Jaslin Salmon,
president of the Jamaica Red Cross, makes a presentation
during the conference |
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| Dr Raymond Forde
of the Barbados Red Cross (third from right)
sits at the head table. |
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He
added that the Red Cross would work even harder
to assist people affected by the poverty and
in equity that continue to leave so many people
vulnerable throughout the Americas.
Under the Inter-American
Plan for 2007 to 2011, special attention will
be paid to better protecting, supporting and
assisting migrants regardless of their legal
status.
The results of the
Guayaquil conference will feed into discussions
in November, when the 30th International Conference
of the Red Cross Red Crescent will take place
in Geneva under the theme “Together for Humanity.” |
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