Red Cross Press Release

The French Red Cross (CRF) is conducting a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programme in the South-West Indian Ocean region through the Indian Ocean Regional Response Platform (IORP).

This programme now involves seven national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies: the Comorian Red Crescent, the Malagasy Red Cross, the Mauritius Red Cross, the Mozambique Red Cross, the Seychelles Red Cross, the Tanzanian Red Cross and the French Red Cross, as coordinator, as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The Piroi Center, new regional center of the Red Cross

In a global context marked by complex crises and growing humanitarian needs, the French Red Cross has set itself the mission of becoming an international reference in the fields of health and disaster risk management.

To face the growing challenges of climate change and following its 2021-2025 strategic framework, the CRF-PIROI is evolving and becoming the PIROI Center, thanks to the support of its partners.

By pooling knowledge and skills, this center aims to create synergies to strengthen capacities at local, national and regional levels in disaster risk management and adaptation to climate change.

With the creation of the PIROI Center, the CRF-PIROI is preparing to take a new step and deploy its actions on a larger scale. This regional center will focus on the major flagship missions that will guide its activities.

The PIROI Center aims to become a space for collaboration and reflection for humanitarian actors, risk management specialists, political actors, development actors, researchers, trainers, as well as the private sector and the general public.

– A building constructed in line with the values ​​of the Red Cross –

In line with the French Red Cross' environmental commitments, the PIROI Center aims to promote harmony between the building and its environment. The CRF-PIROI has therefore collaborated with architectural experts to formulate appropriate recommendations.

The PIROI Center covers a 4.000 m2 site and includes three interconnected entities. The 300 m2 training center, ideal for seminars, conferences, training and international meetings.

The humanitarian warehouse, with an area of ​​900 m2, offers sufficient storage capacity to meet the priority needs of more than 25 people, doubling the current space of the CRF-PIROI.

A 300 m2 space dedicated to offices and crisis management will accommodate between 25 and 30 employees.

In line with the French Red Cross' environmental commitments, the PIROI Center aims to promote harmony between the building and its environment. The CRF-PIROI has therefore collaborated with architectural experts to formulate appropriate recommendations.

In addition to these three entities, a 700 m2 training area can be used during training and simulation exercises.

– From CRF-Piroi to Piroi Center –

In its sixth report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the growing impact of extreme weather events on the Indian Ocean, now ranked as the third most affected region in the world. Cyclones, tropical storms, floods, droughts and wildfires are expected to become more frequent and intense, particularly in the islands and coastal areas of the South-West, according to experts.

Between 2000 and 2019, more than 4 billion people worldwide were affected by disasters. This alarming observation raises concerns about the future and development of populations in the region, who will be increasingly exposed to these phenomena. It is therefore imperative to develop solutions aimed at strengthening our collective preparedness.

Between 2000 and 2024, CRF-PIROI carried out more than 85 projects dedicated to disaster risk management and 72 emergency interventions directly benefiting more than 1,9 million people.

– The Red Cross is developing its training offer –

In 2020, CRF-PIROI initiated the creation of the “Master in Risks and Environment” at the University of La Réunion. Through this training, students acquire skills in risk management, thanks to a better understanding of concepts, methods and the use of tools.

Since 2008, CRF-PIROI has trained more than 5 people in over 000 training courses, both in person and remotely.

In order to improve the effectiveness of the aid provided, it is crucial to develop the skills of the actors and the capacity to innovate. To this end, the CRF-PIROI is developing its training offer in order to ensure an offer at the local, regional and international levels and to enrich the range of training offered to the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, States and actors operating in the sub-region.