The Red Cross National Societies of the three Baltic states are joining forces to strengthen public preparedness and resilience to crises across the region. The international project spans a wide range of activities – from exercises and trainings to volunteer engagement.
Its core objective is to enhance preparedness in the Baltic countries and foster closer international cooperation both among Red Cross National Societies and with public authorities in the fields of civil protection and emergency preparedness.
Now in its second year, the project led by the Lithuanian Red Cross brings together partners in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to strengthen their capacities, exchange expertise, and assess readiness to cooperate in large-scale crisis scenarios. The outcomes will also contribute to updating joint operational procedures and coordination mechanisms.
Exercises to test real-life readiness
One of the key project activities is a set of international tabletop exercises taking place in Vilnius on 15 – 16 April. These exercises aim to test how effectively the National Societies of the three Baltic countries can mobilize and respond in complex crisis situations.
In such scenarios, internal response must be combined with cross-border coordination, efficient information exchange, and practical joint action at the international level.
The exercise will simulate a major crisis affecting one country, while a neighbouring country assumes a critical transit role – acting as a corridor for international humanitarian aid, personnel and other essential response resources. This will allow participants to test joint coordination, the reception and movement of assistance across borders, customs and logistics processes, information exchange, and the distribution of responsibilities among Red Cross National Societies, civil protection and other institutions.
“A resilient society is not built through documents or recommendations alone. It is built when people clearly understand what to do, when organizations know their roles and can act together swiftly, and when volunteers are effectively engaged where they are needed most.
The international dimension is especially important in these exercises – we must be ready to act not only locally, but also when our regional partners require support,” says Ingrida Damulienė, Secretary General of the Lithuanian Red Cross.
A strong Baltic partnership
At the heart of the project is close cooperation between the Red Cross organizations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. For the second year running, partners are jointly planning activities, sharing knowledge, and developing solutions to strengthen preparedness at both national and regional levels.
The project also includes public education initiatives aimed at improving civil protection knowledge and practical skills among the population.
“Through collaboration, organizations gain a better understanding of what works in practice, how to organize response more effectively, and how to ensure preparedness measures bring real value to people. This project also helps expand the international readiness of our staff and volunteers and strengthens the competencies needed for rapid response,” adds I. Damulienė.
Uldis Līkops, Secretary General of the Latvian Red Cross, said: “In terms of practical aspects, it is especially important to regularly train this cooperation not only at a theoretical level, but also in conditions close to real-life situations. Joint exercises, simulations, and exchanges of experience allow the involved partners to better understand what works in practice, where challenges arise, and where improvements are needed. At the same time, it is also essential to strengthen unified procedures and coordinated action protocols so that, in a crisis, decision-making is faster and based on already tested approaches. In trainings, we all work together because the more complex the situation, the more important joint action and cooperation become. Together we can help!”
