PDC and Red Cross go beyond response to anticipate disaster impacts
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In a time of unprecedented humanitarian need, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC), an applied science and research center under the University of Hawai‘i, have announced a partnership to anticipate disaster impacts. The two organizations are melding their common mission and individual resources to tackle some of the world’s most significant humanitarian challenges using next-generation anticipatory science and technology.
“When we learned that IFRC, the largest humanitarian organization in the world, was launching Anticipation Hub, an online knowledge exchange platform to shift the mindset of responders from reacting to anticipating disasters, we knew we had something significant to contribute,” said PDC Executive Director Ray Shirkhodai.
Xavier Castellanos,
IFRC under secretary general of national society development and operations coordination, said data-driven decision-making and evidence-based early action are at the core of the work of the
IFRC and its global network of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.
“By working together with the Pacific Disaster Center, the
IFRC will enhance the use and exchange of information, science and technology; and develop tools and mechanisms that will allow volunteers, staff and partners to make better decisions to protect people at risk of disasters,” said Castellanos. “This alliance is a step forward in the achievement of the digital transformation goals the
Specialist skills in IFRC reference centres: ‘Increasing impact for the communities we serve’
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The IFRC yesterday released a new video detailing the work of its
reference centres, hosted by National Societies worldwide and providing its humanitarian operations with specialist skills, information on best practice, and strategically important knowledge.
It s part of a general expansion of information materials on the centres to include a new minisite and newsletter later this year. Our reference centres help to promote strong, sustainable National Societies, IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain says in a foreword to the full catalogue on the centres that s quoted in the video.