INCLUSION, GENDER, DIVERSITY - ESPECIALLY NOW!

In a situation and time when everything turns around a humanitarian disaster as the conflict in Ukraine, issues of safeguarding and "leave no one behind" are key in order to provide apt humanitarian assistance.

From research we know that societies are more resilient, productive and inclusive when they reduce inequalities and actively support the participation of vulnerable groups in all spheres of life. We equally know that vulnerable groups are affected differently by humanitarian crises. To meet the specific needs of all the people we serve and to make sure that we leave no-one behind in our humanitarian response, the Inclusion, Gender and Diversity (IGD) Working Group of the Operations and International Cooperation (OIC) Division developed an IGD briefing set for all outgoing delegates. The briefings aim at increasing awareness about IGD at field level and at equipping delegates with useful resources and tools when on mission.

Next to the general briefing covering IGD basics, a specific IGD briefing on IGD in emergencies was developed for rapid response delegates deployed to areas of conflict in the Eastern parts of the Ukraine. Because when immediate pressing needs are the priority and humanitarians are tasked to respond quickly, it is particularly important to not turn a blind eye on IGD issues. Only when we include the most vulnerable in the design of our response, will we be able to tailor our assistance to their needs and make our humanitarian action more effective.

To support all delegates while in the field, the IGD e-mailing list and the Cross-Cutting Issues Diary serve as important tools for receiving inquiries and feedback on IGD related concerns. The IGD Working Group invites all delegates to make use of these mechanisms and to address IGD observations and experiences also in their debriefings upon return to the AutRC Headquarters. This allows to reflect on IGD matters together and to adapt our humanitarian action, where necessary. 

Contact: GenderDiversity@roteskreuz.at