
Purpose
X-STOCK is a web-based platform serving as a joint virtual warehouse mainly, to provide stock visibility, and up-to-date stock availability for deployment, and to facilitate bilateral requests for sub-regional relief assistance in case of large-scale emergencies. The specific objective achieved by this initiative was to enhance cross-border emergency management in five South East European countries by improving cross-border preparedness through shared management of emergency stock.
The Red Cross Societies of South East Europe (SEE) share a common background and face similar challenges. In recent years, there has been strong regional cooperation in many areas, especially in response to various emergencies. The SEE Red Cross Societies are committed to strengthening collaboration by using best practices from the IFRC, ICRC, and other Red Cross Societies, particularly in disaster and crisis preparedness and response.
Operation and contact
With the end of the X-STOCK project implementation the hosting and maintenance of the website and web application is transferred to the IFRC Country cluster delegation to Central & South-Eastern Europe. For inquiries please contact: Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC, Disaster and Crisis Preparedness delegate, nebojsa.medojevic@ifrc.org
X-STOCK PROJECT INITIATIVES IMPLEMENTED
Title
Enhancing cross-border preparedness through shared management of emergency stock in South East Europe
Background
South East Europe is seeing an increase in frequency, unpredictability and intensity of disasters. Most hazards have the potential to become transboundary events for which regional collaboration is key. The global health emergency COVID-19 has shown how easily national and regional markets for essential stocks can collapse and hence how important it is to have adequate cross-border stockpiling and transportation strategies in place. This type of major challenge shows that efficiency in coordination and cooperation between SEE states as well as CSOs is far from being sufficient.
The X-STOCK web-based platform was developed within the scope of the EU/UCPM-funded X-STOCK project, implemented between April 2021 and June 2023, with additional financial support from the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC). The second phase of this initiative aims to onboard five more Red Cross Societies into the X-STOCK platform. This phase is supported by financial contributions from USAID BHA through the project "Enhanced Prevention and Preparedness in Europe through the Development of a Predictable Risk Financing Module," and is set to conclude by the end of 2024.
Aims and objectives
The specific objective of the X-STOCK project was to enhance cross-border emergency management in Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia by enhancing cross-border preparedness through shared management of emergency stock. The X-STOCK project identified existing gaps of cross-border emergency response regarding policies, emergency stocks and cross-border agreements for support with emergency items. Recommendations for improvements of procedures, policies and agreements were outlined. National pre-disaster agreements on emergency stocks between stakeholders in civil protection were revised and a cross-border agreement on joint stock management was drafted. A regional stock management strategy and a software application for joint regional stock record/management were developed & tested. Recommendations for replication and scale-up in neighboring countries were formulated.
Project consortium
- Austrian Red Cross (Coordinator)
- Bulgarian Red Cross
- Croatian Red Cross
- Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia
- Protection and Rescue Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia
- Red Cross of Montenegro
- Rescue and Direction Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro
- Red Cross of Serbia
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Duration
01 April 2021 - 30 June 2023
Budget
EUR 579.057,- (funded by EU, ADC and AutRC)
Enhanced prevention and preparedness in Europe, through the development of a predictable risk financing module,
funded by USAID
The speed at which relief items are delivered is critical, especially within the first two months of any emergency response operation. An analysis of response times in the X-Stock project by RCRC highlights that quick movement alone is not enough - appropriate stocking and procurement decisions are also essential for effective operations, which are not always guaranteed. The project aims to pilot an approach that supports smaller-scale emergency responses through faster stock replenishment and cash interventions, particularly when traditional IFRC response tools are not activated.
Key developments have focused on expanding the recently developed X-Stock database (SEE NSs virtual warehouse concept) to National Societies in Europe and members of the Neighbours Help First network. With direct access to a regional joint emergency stock and predefined, rapid procedures for accessing it, RC partners and Civil Protection (CP) authorities will be able to deliver more effective assistance during every phase of the response, including the early phase. This ensures a swift and appropriate response, helping to prevent further damage.
The implementation of this system will facilitate fast, evidence-based decision-making regarding the deployment of available relief stocks across European RCRC NSs to support the affected country. Goods can be replenished using DREF emergency response funds for medium to large-scale emergencies or through designated project funding for smaller-scale emergencies. This complementary approach combines two response tools to ensure a comprehensive and efficient system.
The arrangements will also provide standby financing to ensure the plan's implementation, secure stock replenishment for the sending entity, and allow for stock prepositioning to improve the availability of critical supplies that are currently less accessible. In the long term, ensuring predictable funding for the replenishment of National Societies' emergency stocks - used primarily for smaller-scale disaster responses - will help fill the gap when IFRC DREF funding is not activated.
NEW National Societies onboarded to the X-Stock
- Albanian Red Cross
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Red Cross Society
- Slovenian Red Cross
- Hungarian Red Cross
- Romanian Red Cross
Duration
01 July 2023 - 31 December 2024
Baltic Civil Defence Cooperation For Complex Emergencies (2025-2026)
- TASK 1: Wearhousing capacity assessment
- TASK 2: Optimal wearhousing set-up analysis
- TASK 3: Software analysis by local IT consultants
- TASK 4: Software and implementation
- TASK 5: Training on new or updated software
- TASK 6: International study visits
- TASK 7: Development of X-STOCK platform: Develop the functions, concept, procedures, and IT solutions for the X-STOCK platform. This platform will facilitate efficient information sharing and resource allocation among the Baltic countries during emergencies.
NEW National Societies onboarded to the X-Stock
- Lithuanian Red Cross
- Latvian Red Cross
- Estonian Red Cross
Duration
01 January 2025 - 31 December 2026