Uganda Red Cross Society


Uganda Red Cross Society is a membership humanitarian organization in Uganda. It focuses on humanitarian aid and community services charity in Uganda. It is a national member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement who draws mandates from the Geneva Conventions.
The National Society was founded in 1939 by a group of women in Entebbe, then in 1941 it became a branch part of the British Red Cross. It has its headquarters in Rubaga Road, Kampala.
The Uganda Red Cross Society is noted as the leading humanitarian organization in Uganda.
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History of the Uganda Red Cross

It was founded in 1939 by a community group of women in Entebbe, then later became a branch of the British Red Cross in 1941. In 1964 under an Act of Parliament, the Uganda Red Cross Constitution was adopted bringing into existence the Uganda Red Cross Society as an auxiliary to the government of Uganda in providing humanitarian services. A year later in 1965, the Society was admitted as a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Uganda Red Cross Society has continued to grow over the years and it now has 51 branches and 30 sub-branches spanning the whole of Uganda. The National Society also works with a number of partners in the execution of its mission. These include the Government of Uganda, United Nations agencies, international funding agencies, companies and practicing sister Red Cross National Societies.

Work

The Uganda Red Cross Society through the Ministry of Health has been involved in a number of health relief efforts including training of village health teams, tracing contact persons, supporting safe and dignified burials for cases of viral diseases like Ebola.It is noted that the National Society played an auxiliary role in ensuring that Uganda is Ebola free
The National Society has also helped in ensuring sustainable use of energy resources for some refugee groups living in settlements like Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement by encouraging the use of alternative energy technologies for cooking and lighting, among others, as a way of reducing the cost of living in these settlements.

The Fundamental Principles

Uganda Red Cross Society operates under the seven fundamental principles that guide all Red Cross and Red Crescent movements worldwide:
1.Humanity
Protection and respect for humanity
Promotion of health and life
Prevention or lessening of human suffering
2. Impartiality
Serving humanity without discrimination based on race, political affiliation, ethnicity, religion etc.
3. Neutrality
No taking sides in times of conflict or engaging in controversies of political, religious, racial or ideological nature
4. Independence
National Societies must remain independent in their decision making
No external influence, no strings attached
5. Voluntary Service
Services to the beneficiaries are free of charge
6.Unity
One National society in each country is open to all
7. Universality
The Movement is global in nature

Core programs

The following are the core programs and interventions of URCS;
  • Disaster Response and Management
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Restoration of Family Links
  • Supporting Communities for Resilience
  • Health and Social Services
  • Emergency health, first aid and ambulance services
  • Blood donor recruitment
  • Water Sanitation and Hygiene
  • Keep a Girl in School Initiative
  • Pandemics and Epidemics response
  • Youth and Women empowerment
  • Sustainability
These are the URCS core values:
  • Accountabilty
  • Equity/Equality
  • Professionalism
  • Responsive
  • Value for People