URCS fully integrated into state civil protection system – organization director general Dotsenko

All regional organizations of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) have been integrated into the Unified State Civil Protection System (USCPS), the organization's director general Maksym Dotsenko said.

"Over this past year, the role of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in the civil protection system has truly changed in quality. Last year, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society was part of the Unified State Civil Protection System in nine regions. Today, all regional organizations of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society have become part of the USCPS," Dotsenko said at the second national forum "Humanitarian Architecture and Civil Protection Development in Ukraine" on Tuesday.

According to him, whereas the URCS was previously more often perceived as a humanitarian partner, today the Ukrainian Red Cross Society is part of a practical response system and not only supports response efforts but also participates in shaping approaches, coordination, building community capacity and interaction with state bodies.

Forum participants focused on the development of the civil protection system and the use of humanitarian aid potential to support affected populations. The role of communities and their readiness for emergencies was discussed separately.

The forum brought together representatives of state authorities, foreign diplomatic missions, the European Union, international and national humanitarian organizations, partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, local government bodies and the expert community.

The event was organized by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society together with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and DG ECHO with the support of the British, Norwegian, Austrian and German Red Cross societies.