Red Cross

The South African Red Cross Society is a member organisation of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Socities (IFRC), which is the largest volunteer driven organisation on earth. The Red Cross Society has 100 million members and a presence in 189 countries.

In August 2007 the South African Government recognized The South African Red Cross Society as an Official Auxiliary to the Government in Humanitarian Aid.

Humanitarian services in South Africa can be traced back to the late 1800’s. The South African Red Cross Society was established in 1921 and admitted into the IFRC in 1929.

Today the South African Red Cross Society is a member of the IFRC Governing Board.

It has three main components:

• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
• 189 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
• As partners, the different members of the Movement support communities in becoming stronger and safer through a variety of development projects and humanitarian activities. The Movement also works in cooperation with governments, donors and other aid organizations to assist vulnerable people around the world.