DUSHANBE, February 13, 2012, Asia-Plus – Yevgeni Parfyonov, IFRC Europe Zone Office Head of Operations started his two-day visit to Tajikistan today during his working trip to Central Asia, press release issued by IFRC Country Representation in Tajikistan on February 13 said.

The main aim of Mr. Parfenov’s visit is to overview current IFRC/RCST activities in Tajikistan and plans for 2012.  He will meet Tajik officials and Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement organisations operating in Tajikistan, as well as visit Tajikistan Red Crescent projects in the field supported by IFRC and an elderly house at the town of Vahdat.

Yevgeni Parfyonov’s Red Cross/Red Crescent career began in 1979 when he joined the International Department of the Alliance of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the USSR.  After five years he transferred to the Federation Secretariat’s Europe Department in June 1984 and has colossal experience in supporting post-disasters’ relief and rehabilitation programs in Ethiopia, Sudan, Armenia, Ukraine, Iraq, Iran, etc.  He speaks Russian, English, French and Arabic.

Mr. Eric Michel-Sellier, IFRC Country Representative in Tajikistan says Mr. Parfyonov’s visit to Tajikistan will create a possibility to expand and extend IFRC activities in the country while the local Red Crescent needs support for strengthening its capacity to assist needy people.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies established its permanent presence in Tajikistan in 1994 to provide assistance to the most vulnerable population of the country in close cooperation with the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan (RCST).  Initially the International Federation programs in Tajikistan have been developed with focus on food provision to vulnerable population and medical supplies to health care institutions.  Since 2004, the International Federation has extended the variety of program initiatives, including disaster preparedness and response, relief targeting the most vulnerable, community-based first aid and public health campaign, water and sanitation projects and organizational development.  These initiatives have been implemented with a number of emergency response operations caused by natural disasters.  The Country Representation provides technical and advisory support for the National Society in planning, implementation and monitoring of the programs, as well as general supervision.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 mil­lion people each year through its 187 member National Societies.  Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.  It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions.