Azerbaijan, Baku, March 9 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva /
The Head of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society Novruzali Aslanov is not satisfied with the attitude of local donor organizations to humanitarian projects.
"Local donors do not express interest in financing humanitarian projects in Azerbaijan", chairman of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, MP Novruzali Aslan said in an interview with Trend, dedicated to the 91st anniversary of the society.
He said that international donors mainly participate in the projects implemented by the society. Complaining about non-participation of local donors in the projects, Aslanov said that our country was a part of the Soviet Union for a long time. There were no movements such as donation and sponsorship that time.
"We do not have a policy of financial donations. This is a new sphere for Azerbaijan. I am sure that the policy will be defined in the future and an appropriate legal basis will be created", he said.
He said that people must learn to transfer a part of their funds for humanitarian purposes.
Stressing that the projects implemented in Azerbaijan by many local companies in the social sphere, mainly cover music, MP added that local companies do not allocate funds that would be directed to resolve the problems troubling the society.
"These companies finance concerts and shooting a singer's clip, but do not allocate funds for projects to resolve the issues of concern. For example, we would like them to participate in the projects aimed at distancing the youth from bad habits, improving social conditions of refugees and internally displaced people, higher education of youth. It would be nice if they allocate funds to the projects aimed at resolving common problems, " he said.
Stressing that young people in Azerbaijan have to interrupt their studies due to financial problems, MP said that it was important for local companies and businessmen to pay attention to this matter.
"The students coming from the regions interrupt their studies because of inability to pay the tuition. We try to reassure people, but these are one-time benefits. We can not take a student under the permanent guardianship. We will apply the new system in this area and will assist only the best students and those who do not really have money to pay for tuition, " he said.
"The funds collected in very clear terms are registered and spent on appropriate projects - treatment of sick children, education of youth," he said.
Stressing the multilateral activity carried out by Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, he said that it includes training and health care, blood donation, first aid, enlightenment about HIV-AIDS, etc.
He said that the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society focuses on the development of humanitarian sphere in the republic. The main objective of the national society is to provide services to poor families, people affected during natural and manmade disasters, displaced people, free social and medical and humanitarian assistance, and other important services.
"Humanitarian assistance is one of the main activities of the society. Most work includes some assistance in solving social problems faced by the poor in Azerbaijan and people affected by natural disasters, " he said.
Providing the information on international cooperation of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, he said that the society's major partners are the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the ICRC.
The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society has seven regional centers, a district committee in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and its regional and municipal committees, 83 regional and municipal committees. The society unites more than 290,000 members and nearly 17,000 volunteers.