Andorran Red Cross Approves 2025-2029 Strategic Plan Amid Housing Crisis

The Andorran Red Cross has approved its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan at the Ordinary General Assembly, after assisting 3,448 people last year amid a deepening housing crisis that continues to fuel social vulnerabilities.

President Vicky Marrugat presented the plan as a roadmap to build a more approachable, prepared organisation capable of anticipating rising needs. She stressed that housing shortages will drive many social challenges in the years ahead, with the aim of enabling people not just to cope but to prosper. Marrugat clarified that growth means ramping up training and preventive actions rather than adding new day centres. The strategy unfolds in three phases across five pillars: governance and transparency, social action and health, volunteering and youth, digitalisation and innovation, and international cooperation.

The housing crisis has notably boosted demand at the solidarity shop, now with over 300 active users facing steep rents that force cuts to food spending, according to Vice-president David Fraissinet. He countered recent government remarks linking higher social costs primarily to inflation, arguing that policy shortcomings in housing reveal the true scale of affected families.

The assembly also approved the 2027 budget, projecting €4.63 million in expenses against €4.41 million in expected income, plus a €218,440 subsidy request from the government. Investments will rise to €483,100—up nearly €178,000 from the previous year—resulting in a forecasted €220,000 deficit. Last year's accounts showed a €6.26 million balance but a €70,405 shortfall, which outgoing treasurer Matthew Lodge attributed to launching the ARCA facility in Aixovall in November and the Valls del Nord Day Centre. These services, aimed at highly vulnerable cases, require about 18 months to achieve full financial stability and are performing well.

General Director Jordi Ribes confirmed no "ARCA 2" is planned, citing the heavy financial toll of the original, with focus now on consolidating projects like elderly social housing in Sant Julià de Lòria and user support at the government-run Armor building and Casa Aristot Mora. He invited private property owners with underused assets to explore social-use partnerships, potentially replicating ARCA's model without Red Cross ownership.

Youth programmes take priority from 2026-2029, including digital detox efforts like Connecta per Desconnectar camps and football campuses, schoolyard presence, festival support, and external first-aid courses for adults and businesses. A new human resources specialist will drive these, addressing past gaps in youth vulnerabilities such as screen addiction, alongside issues like unwanted loneliness and mental health. The organisation ended 2025 with 395 registered volunteers (178 active, logging over 10,000 hours), 4,721 members, 154 corporate partners, 82 staff, and coordination of 326 preventive devices. Services accounted for 72.7% of income, membership fees 14.7-15%, and subsidies/donations 11-11.1%.

Board updates effective 1 June include Susana Sánchez and Roger Brumwell as new vocal members, with Brumwell replacing Lodge as treasurer; Lodge stays on as vocal.