The Vitebsk regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society has signed a cooperation agreement with colleagues from Norway and Lithuania

A trilateral cooperation agreement was signed today by the Vitebsk regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society and the regional branches of the national Red Cross societies of Hedmark (Norway) and Visaginas (Lithuania).

At a meeting-seminar held at the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, representatives of the regional branches and national Red Cross societies worked out a cooperation plan, after which a trilateral agreement for a period of three years was signed. This was preceded by preparatory work to identify the urgent needs of vulnerable population groups in each of the regions and the capabilities of the Red Cross organizations to provide assistance to people and to each other.

In the Vitebsk region, for example, a survey showed that the main problems are a large number of elderly and lonely elderly people in rural areas and a shortage of labor resources; unequal access to various types of services in cities and rural areas; and in some places, weak cooperation between the population and local authorities.

Similar problem areas were noted by colleagues from Norway and Lithuania. To address these issues, all parties find the development of three main areas suitable: a volunteer corps, medical and social programs for vulnerable categories, and emergency response services. "Trilateral cooperation will provide an opportunity to submit applications for the implementation of joint projects and, at the same time, have a greater chance of receiving funding. It is usually difficult to win, but today we are in a more advantageous position," noted Karsten Solheim, a representative of the Norwegian Red Cross headquarters, at the meeting.

He also emphasized that each of the Norwegian Red Cross branches has international relations with colleagues from regions of other countries, and these connections are maintained by the central office. Moreover, it is especially easy to cooperate with the eastern regions of Europe, as, for example, the Hedmark branch with the Visaginas branch. The Vitebsk regional organization maintains relations with Lithuanian colleagues in the field of emergency response and first aid, so the trilateral agreement will be a logical continuation of these contacts and will expand the scope of mutual experience exchange. On the eve of the meeting at the regional executive committee, the guests had a busy program in Vitebsk.

They visited the Oktyabrsky district organization of the BCRC, where they learned about the practice of medical and social care for lonely elderly people and disabled individuals. "We have volunteers involved in this, while you have a mercy sister service. Moreover, these are people with special medical training, and they continue to train and confirm their qualifications. This is great," noted Kari Mølbradt, a representative of the Hedmark regional branch.

Afterwards, the guests visited a temporary accommodation center for refugees, learned about the activities of the Pervomaysky district organization of the BCRC, which manages the center, and visited a specialized regional children's hospital, where they saw how the volunteer groups of hospital clowns work.

Ekaterina Knyazeva, BELTA.