On March 11, 2025, the Global First Aid Reference Centre (GFARC) had the honor of welcoming the President of the Armenian Red Cross and members of his team. This valuable exchange helped to reinforce ties between the Centre and the National Society, while providing an occasion to share best practices in first aid. Thus, GFARC was able to present its latest initiatives aimed at strengthening the first aid capacities of National Societies by offering tailored technical support.
The Armenian Red Cross shared its progress and specific needs in the field. Particular attention was paid to the Universal First Aid Application. This innovative tool delivers clear guidance for emergency response and offers personalized learning paths, complete with safety advice adapted to various contexts. The Armenian Red Cross expressed an interest to continue developing and promoting a localized version of the app, better suited to the needs of its population. In this sense, the Armenian Red Cross was able to share its advocacy strategy to foster a strong culture of first aid within local communities. Among the initiatives envisaged, the launch of a podcast to promote the actions carried out and raise awareness among the population is a promising project.
This meeting was also a great opportunity for GFARC to invite the Armenian Red Cross to participate in future rounds of the Engagement Committee meetings. This invitation reflects a shared ambition to collaborate and to explore context-specific strategies for first aid, in line with the IFRC’s Vision 2030, which promotes innovation, adaptability, and inclusivity throughout humanitarian action.
Finally, GFARC introduced its approach of commercial first aid, aimed at supporting National Societies interested in developing income-generating activities. This support includes the provision of ready-to-use guides and tools such as business plan templates, marketing strategies and market research. The Armenian Red Cross will thus be able to benefit from this support to structure its own strategy.
These fruitful exchanges are a testament to the dynamic of international cooperation within the Movement and reaffirm the importance of placing first aid at the heart of national strategies.
