Apr142017

Budget allocations for implementing a joint project with the WHO on further strengthening capability in emergency medical services readiness and response

Russia
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In 2017-2018, a new project will be implemented to further strengthen the WHO’s capability in emergency medical services readiness and response. This project is expected to last for two years, and provides for the allocation to the WHO of $3.5 million as a targeted voluntary contribution with a view to further enhancing WHO medical logistics capabilities and ensuring emergency response and training. The WHO will use these funds to purchase various medical modules and build up stocks at UN humanitarian warehouses. Aid receivers (the government or health ministry of the affected country) will be designated by Russia. The delivered medical modules shall bear Russian labels. The Russian embassies in aid receiving countries will take part in the delivery of medical modules to the local authorities. The funding to this effect has been factored in the federal budget for 2017 and 2018-2019 planning period.

Reference

Submitted by the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief of the Russian Federation.

In accordance with the Concept of the Russian Federation’s State Policy in the Area of International Development Assistance (approved by Presidential Executive Order No. 259 dated 20 April 2014, hereinafter the “Concept”), one of the state policy objectives in this area is to provide assistance in relief efforts following natural disasters, industrial accidents and other emergencies.

Specifically, the Concept provides for the payment of contributions to the international agencies of the United Nations and other international organisations and financial institutions, international and global funds.

As part of efforts to implement this Concept, as well as the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation (approved by Presidential Executive Order No. 640 dated 30 November 2016), the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief of the Russian Federation cooperates with the World Health Organisation (hereinafter, the “WHO”), coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in areas related to improving emergency readiness and response and delivering aid to the affected countries in the aftermath of disasters and crises.

In 2012-2016, a project was carried out to enhance WHO’s capability in terms of emergency medical readiness and response, as well as support national healthcare in disaster and crisis situations.

In 2017-2018, a new joint project is expected to be carried out to further enhance WHO’s capability in emergency medical readiness and response. This project will run for two years, and provides for the allocation to the WHO of a targeted voluntary contribution equal to $3.5 million ($2.5 million in 2017 and $1 million in 2018) for further improving WHO’s medical logistics, emergency response capability and training.

The funds for the new joint project with the WHO have been factored in the federal budget for 2017 and the 2018-2019 planning period. The relevant budget allocations will be directed to these aims as per the signed directive.

The WHO will use these funds to purchase various medical modules and build up stocks at UN humanitarian warehouses.

Aid receivers (the government or health ministry of the affected country) will be designated by Russia. The delivered medical modules shall bear Russian labels. The Russian embassies in aid receiving countries will take part in the delivery of medical modules to the local authorities.

The adopted decision will help Russia deliver on the objectives of the state programmes ‘Foreign Policy’ and ‘Managing state finances and regulating financial markets.’

Apr142017

News story: UK personnel depart for NATO Kosovo role

HM Government
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A team of nearly 30 UK troops has left the UK for Southern Europe to join NATO’s Kosovo Force, helping to maintain safety, security and freedom of movement.

The year-long deployment will bolster the mission’s capability, following a request from NATO for further support to KFOR by allies. Its particular role will be to support KFOR’s ability to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The UK team will be based in the KFOR headquarters in Pristina.

KFOR began as a peacekeeping force in the late 1990s. Now it has evolved into a smaller, more flexible body of around 4,200 troops, acting as one of the main security providers in Kosovo. Troops are contributed by some 30 countries, including Germany, Italy, Turkey, Poland and the US, as well as the UK.

At the NATO Summit in Warsaw last year, Allies reaffirmed that KFOR would continue to contribute to a safe and secure environment in Kosovo. It will also continue to adapt. As the Warsaw communiqué made clear, changes to the Alliance’s troop presence reflect conditions in the country. The force’s overall goal is to enable self-sufficient security in Kosovo.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

This deployment of troops demonstrates how we remain committed to supporting security and stability in the Western Balkans region. NATO remains a cornerstone of our defence and by defending the security of Europe we strengthen our security at home.

This deployment follows support the UK provided in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015 to the EU Force (EUFOR).

As the Prime Minister has announced the UK will be increasing its engagement in the Western Balkans, including through our hosting of the 2018 Western Balkans Summit.

The UK has more than 3,000 military personnel deployed on operations around the world, clearly demonstrating Britain’s global Defence footprint. The UK continues to meet NATO’s target of spending 2% of GDP on Defence, backed by a Defence budget that will rise every year for the rest of this decade.