Vice President of Int’l Federation Red Cross Visits Georgia

On July 25, Kerem Kinik, Vice President of International Federation Red Cross (IFRS) and President of the Turkish Red Crescent, visited Georgia. Red Cross Georgia has been a member of the IFRS since 1997. For the first time in history, Georgia was chosen by the 190 national society representatives to be a member of the governing council, with Natia Loladze, President of the Georgian Red Cross Society, as a representative.

Within the framework of Kinik’s visit, meetings with high ranking officials of the government were planned to discuss the main policy of the Red Cross, the opening of a Red Cross Regional Warehouse and Training Center in Georgia, and future goals with Georgia as a member of the Federation Board of Governors.

VP Kinik spoke to GEORGIA TODAY about the purpose of his visit and long-term plans within the Georgian Red Cross:

“The Georgian Red Cross is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. They have provided excellent services to the community, and now, with the leadership of Natia Loladze, will carry on their activities,” he said.

Kinik went on to note the main activities of the Georgian Red Cross. “[They] provide resilient services to society, such as disaster preparedness and intervention, risk reduction, public health promotion and training for first aid, with the help of the branches and up to 10,000 active volunteers. The Red Cross Society is an independent NGO, but nevertheless, has auxiliary roads to their own Government in extraordinary times or disasters.

“We, at the Turkish Red Crescent, have decided to contribute to allow the Georgian Red Cross to build up its own capacity for disaster preparedness and intervention. Our colleagues are checking the Georgian Red Cross warehouses, which we plan to renovate. Additionally, we will send some items like shelters and tents. We visited the Ministry of Finance and Sustainable Development and plan to meet members of Parliament. We are raising some vital issues the Georgian Red Cross has, such as tax and VAT exemptions and property problems that they are facing. I received positive feedback from the Georgian government and hope that they will support the Georgian Red Cross, as we do.”

Loladze noted the long-term cooperation between the Georgian Red Cross and Turkish Red Crescent. In 2008 and 2015, Turkish Red Crescent was one of the first national societies to provide Georgia with humanitarian support and assistance.

“Right now, there are discussions regarding renovations of the Tbilisi warehouse and in future to make it more regional in order to have access to equipment for emergency situations,” she said.

“This year, our 100th anniversary year, it is the first time that the Georgian Red Cross has been a member of the Governing Council. We have planned meetings with the ministries and MPs to discuss the future policies and next steps of the Federation and to further enhance cooperation between the government and the Red Cross.” Loladze said.

By Anna Zhvania