Topic summary
Australian Red Cross
The Australian Red Cross Society generally referred to as Australian Red Cross, is a humanitarian aid and community services charity in Australia. Tracing its history back to 1914 and being incorporated by royal charter in 1941, Australian Red Cross Society is the National Society of the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and part of the International Red Cross Movement. Australian Red Cross is guided by the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and as such is a non-religious, neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organisation.
Australian Red Cross Society is a volunteer-based organisation that exists to reduce human suffering. Australian Red Cross Society operates through two operating divisions: Australian Red Cross Humanitarian Services and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Its work includes the following:
- Emergency services and disasters: Australian Red Cross helps build communities that are strong, resilient and able to anticipate, respond, and recover well from disasters and climate related emergencies.
- Migration: Australian Red Cross helps build fair, welcoming, and inclusive communities where migrants are safe and have their humanitarian needs met.
- Community activities and programs: Australian Red Cross builds connection and resilience through volunteering and responding to the humanitarian needs of local communities.
- International programs: Australian Red Cross helps build stronger, more resilient international communities with increased capacity to prepare for, anticipate, respond to and recover from crises.
- International Humanitarian Law: Australian Red Cross betters humanitarian outcomes for people and communities impacted by armed conflicts.
- Australian Red Cross Lifeblood: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood increases the supply of safe and high-quality blood, plasma and other biological products, bolstering the capacity to respond to emergencies, support medical treatments, and improve patient and community outcomes.
- First Nations Centrality: Australian Red Cross' work is informed by the voices of First Nations people, so that it may work together in the purpose of Australian Red Cross, while fostering cultural safety, equity and greater inclusion of First Nations people in its programs, volunteering and as voices of advocacy.
The National Council is the main representative body for Australian Red Cross Society’s Members and is composed of the President, up to six special councillors, and 24 members of Division Councils.