Brief History- red Cross

The Fiji Red Cross Society was established in 1954 as a branch of the British Red Cross. It was recognized as an independent National Society in 1973. The Society is officially recognized by the government of Fiji as a voluntary relief organization, an auxiliary to public authorities and is the only Red Cross Society in Fiji. It is the most widely recognized and respected  humanitarian organization in the country.   The Society has a National Council, a National Board, a National Office in Suva and 15 active branches  and two Divisional Service Centers (DSC Northern  and DSC Western ) throughout Fiji, covering 80% of the country.  The Branches function primarily as relief operators and as a network system for implementing and promoting various programmes and services within their communities. The DSC Northern and DSC Western are the link on the ground for the National Office and the branches and each are responsible for their divisions?respectively?? 

Depending on capacity, the Society fills the gaps where they can by providing the following free services and programmes:  

 1. relief items to victims of natural disasters and fires  

2. protecting and promoting human dignity of people living with and affected by  HIV  

3. community-based safety first aid   

4. community-based home care and the provision of ambulatory aids for the  disabled and elderly   

5. HIV in the Workplace sessions  

6. Blood donor advocacy  

7. Red Cross in schools 

The programme areas covered by the Society are as follows:  

1. Disaster Preparedness and Response                                  

2. Health and Care  

3. International Humanitarian Law  

4. Safety First Aid  

5. Resource Development