The role of the Canary Islands as a platform that supports Africa, strengthened by an agreement with the Red Cross and Casa África

This morning, Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro and Ricardo Martínez Vázquez signed a collaboration agreement at the Centro Logístico de Ayuda Humanitaria (Logistics Centre of Humanitarian Aid) of the International Federation of the Red Cross (FICR) and Media Luna Roja, located in Puerto de La Luz in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The document signed by the president of the Spanish Red Cross and the general director of Casa África aims to intensify the collaboration between both institutions in terms of humanitarian aid, increasing awareness and education for development, aside from promoting the role of the Canary Islands as a platform that supports Africa. This role is already essential thanks to Gran Canaria being selected as the headquarters of the FICR´s Logistics Centre and Casa África as well, but its possibilities are being explored, as is shown by the World Food Programme´s interest in locating its logistics centre on the island and the possibility of other international organisations also using the door that the Red Cross has opened in order to communicate the archipelago with the neighbouring continent.

The relationship between the Red Cross and Casa África dates back earlier than this agreement. Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro has been a member of Casa África´s Advisory Council since its founding on 27 March 2009, and the institution he presides recognised Casa África´s efforts in May of last year when it awarded the Red Cross´ Gold Medal to Ricardo Martínez. Additionally, one of the first activities carried out at Casa África was the meeting of the National Red Cross Associations of Central and Western Africa, which took place in January 2008 under the presidency of Her Majesty the Queen and with members of the organisation from 19 nations. Casa África was also present at the inauguration of the FICR´s Logistics Centre of Humanitarian Aid in the Canary islands on 17 September 2009, and the collaboration between both institutions is fluid and fruitful.