Red Cross Flanders to focus more on citizens' self-reliance

Red Cross Flanders wants to help as many people as possible by 2030 with the limited resources at its disposal, by focusing on core tasks and citizens' self-reliance. This shows the organisation's new multi-year strategy, which was presented on Sunday.

The new strategy is based on five priority areas: disaster preparedness, transfusion and transplantation, migration and reception, self-reliance, and the “export” of expertise. In addition, the organisation sees volunteering, communication, scientific research and sustainable financing as levers that run through all its activities.

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An important shift in focus is on being well prepared for emergencies. The Red Cross wants to work with a single integrated emergency plan for Flanders, develop a medical unit of volunteer doctors and nurses, and set up municipal volunteer corps in collaboration with local authorities. It is also investing in emergency supplies and logistical support so that assistance can be provided quickly in the event of major crises.

But in addition to helping people in need, the Red Cross also wants to boost everyone's self-reliance. By 2030, the organisation wants to train 300,000 people in life-saving first aid, significantly expand the Zorgbib initiative to combat loneliness in care institutions, and focus on the mental resilience of youngsters and young adults.

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In the medical field, the focus remains on a sustainable blood and plasma supply. According to the plan, Belgium must become self-sufficient in plasma, with the ambition of collecting one million litres annually. In the field of migration, the Red Cross wants to provide more targeted support to residents of reception centres and assist former residents through information points spread across Flanders.

Red Cross Flanders also wants to make greater use of its expertise internationally, for example by supporting blood institutions in partner countries and rolling out first aid training worldwide.

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