The Red Cross Society is an international as well as a national organization. Internationally it was founded in 1864 during Geneva Convention. In India, Indian Red Cross Society was incorporated under Parliament Act XV in the year 1920.
The emblem of Red Cross Society is red coloured cross painted on a white background. This emblem is used by ambulances, hospitals, doctors, nurses for quick identification. The members of Red Cross Society can go to battlefield, and other disaster prone areas to help the wounded and affected people.
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Activities:
The main activities of the Indian Red Cross Society can be grouped under following categories:
1. Promoting fundamental principles and humanitarian values:
It includes,
i. Protection of life, health and human dignity,
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ii. Respect for the human beings,
iii. Non-discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, gender, religion, class or political opinion, and
iv. Mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and restoring peace among people.
2. Disaster Preparedness and Response:
The Indian subcontinent is prone to droughts, floods and other natural calamities. Another killer is the earthquake. Red Cross with the assistance of other national societies provides services to the victims of calamities. Red Cross Society also procures and supplies food and other items for the needy in case of a calamity.
3. Health and social services:
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This includes,
i. To arrange for ambulance service in an emergency.
ii. To extend first-aid in case of an accident.
iii. To provide mother and child health care programmes. Red Cross Society has many hospitals and dispensaries to provide medical support to the needy.
iv. To train nurses and midwives,
v. To provide hostels for working ladies and homes for elderly, physically and mentally challenged.
vi. To procure and supply blood for the victims of war, other calamities and diseases. Indian Red Cross Society has blood banks at the major cities in India.