Andorran Red Cross Unveils 2026 Strategic Plan Priorities

**Vicky Marrugat outlines Andorran Red Cross priorities for 2026 strategic plan**

The Andorran Red Cross is preparing a new strategic plan for presentation in the first quarter of 2026, focusing on building an agile, transparent organisation ready to tackle population ageing, youth mental health, climate emergencies and volunteering challenges. President Vicky Marrugat emphasised that the plan aligns with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' 2030 strategy but prioritises Andorra's specific needs. "Our size allows us to act faster and stay closer to the public," she told the Andorran News Agency.

To handle growing project volumes and organisational complexity, the Red Cross appointed Jordi Ribes as general director on 10 November. Marrugat described the role as vital for coordinating daily operations and technical teams, freeing governance bodies to focus on high-level planning. She noted the plan builds on the 2023 agenda, with Ribes tasked to drive its development—not for expansion's sake, but to better serve those in need.

Volunteering remains a key challenge, despite 4,602 members and 2,500 active volunteers. Marrugat acknowledged the difficulty of committing time without immediate reward, particularly among young people, and said the organisation will ramp up awareness in schools, digital spaces and social media to highlight its personal benefits.

The ARCA short-term residential centre, featuring 36 rooms and capacity for 68 people, now houses 29 residents across 23 rooms. A combined team of government and Red Cross professionals offers tailored support for social reintegration, job placement, housing and financial stability, adapting to each individual's circumstances.

First aid training stands out as a core strength, with Andorra among the few countries providing it to all schoolchildren from early years—a point of national pride. Future efforts will extend training to all age groups, aiming for a fully defibrillator-ready nation.

On climate risks, Marrugat stressed prevention through public campaigns, aid for vulnerable groups and reminders of basic precautions amid hotter summers. The organisation's internal strength, tested during Covid-19 with rapid, coordinated responses, underpins its agility.

Internationally, the Red Cross is deepening ties with peers in Monaco and Liechtenstein, plus other small European nations, to exchange best practices and elevate Andorra's humanitarian profile while keeping local priorities first.