Attachments
NATIONAL SOCIETIES’ PROFILES
The 13 National Societies of the Dutch and English speaking Caribbean countries vary in size, while sharing common values and principles and facing similar contextual realities. They all act as auxiliaries to their governments in the humanitarian field, focusing on disaster response and contributing to national disaster management frameworks.
Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross
Number of staff: 9
Number of volunteers: 93
Number of branches: 1
The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross was established as an overseas branch of the British Red Cross in 1941 and completed eighty years of operation in October 2021. It received national recognition in 1983 and was admitted to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 1993. Its head office is on the main island of Antigua, where 98 per cent of the population live, with one
branch on the smaller island of Barbuda. The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross has a positive national reputation and is visible in communities across the island. In 2022, the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross reached 25 people through its long-term services and development programmes.
The Bahamas Red Cross Society
Number of staff: 23
Number of volunteers: 600
Number of branches: 3
The Bahamas Red Cross Society was founded in 1939 as a branch of the British Red Cross. It was officially recognized by the Bahamas Government in 1975 as a voluntary aid society and auxiliary to public authorities in the humanitarian field. It was admitted to the IFRC in 1977. It is governed by an
Executive Board comprised of members of the community and organized into working committees: the Management Committee, the Finance Committee and the salaried Operation Team, headed by the Director General. In September 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas, dramatically changing
the role of the National Society. Since the Dorian operation, it has been engaged in a comprehensive National Society development programme resulting in a new Strategic Plan, a revised constitution, a branch development strategy and improved volunteer management systems. The Bahamas Red Cross Society reached 12,000 people through disaster response and early recovery programmes, it also reached 2,285 people through long-term services and development programmes in 2019.
The Barbados Red Cross Society
Number of staff: 8
Number of volunteers: 44
Number of branches: 0
The Barbados Red Cross Society began its operations in 1960 as a branch of the British Red Cross. It was incorporated as a voluntary aid society by a parliamentary act in 1969 which designated it as an organisation auxiliary to public authorities. The National Society became a full member of the International Red Cross in 1984 and was admitted to the IFRC in 1985. Within the current emergency management framework, the Barbados Red Cross is identified as the organisation responsible for the provision of first aid services within Category 1 emergency shelters. In addition, the National Society receives an annual subvention from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which supports its ’Meals on Wheels programme’. It also resides over several key committees which provide shelter, food and general supplies, emergency housing and rehabilitation and the health services standing committee. In 2021, the Barbados Red Cross Society reached 1,138 people through its long-term services and development programmes.
The Belize Red Cross Society
Number of staff: 8
Number of volunteers: 92
Number of branches: 6
The Belize Red Cross Society began operations in 1914 as a branch of the British Red Cross until 1983, when it officially became a National Society in its own right. In 1984, the Belize Red Cross admitted to the IFRC. Its activities help to build on the following strategic aims: saving lives, protecting livelihoods, strengthening recovery from disasters and crises, enabling healthy and safe living, and promoting social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace. Its work focuses on the areas of disaster management, including preparedness, response and recovery, disaster risk reduction and mitigation,
and HIV/AIDS prevention through the ‘Together We Can’ peer education programme. The National Society is also considered a leader in basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the
Home Care Givers Certification in Belize, as well as the provision of social assistance such as feeding programmes, assistance for fire victims and skills building programmes. The Belize Red Cross Society reached 2,649 people through long-term services and development programmes in 2022. Through its
disaster response and early recovery programmes, it reached 4,356 people.
Dominica Red Cross Society
Number of staff: 3
Number of volunteers: 300
Number of branches: 11
The Dominica Red Cross Society was established as a branch of the British Red Cross in 1958 and recognized by the Government of Dominica in 1983 as a National Society. It was recognized and admitted to the IFRC in 1989. The Dominica Red Cross has identified strategic goals to guide its objectives and strategies: building healthier and safer communities, reducing vulnerabilities, and strengthening its resilience to function effectively as a National Society that is well resourced,
with robust capacity at all levels. Achieving these goals will enable the National Society to increase its reach while maintaining independence and identity. The Dominica Red Cross Societys key priorities for 2023 are climate resilience and disaster preparedness through early action, financial
sustainability, and resource mobilization. The Dominica Red Cross Society reached 158 people through long-term services and development programmes in 2022. Through its disaster response and early recovery programmes, the National Society reached 296 people.
Grenada Red Cross Society
Number of staff: 0
Number of volunteers: 89
Number of branches: 1
The Grenada Red Cross Society started as a branch of the British Red Cross following the devastation of the island by Hurricane Janet in 1955. In 1987, the Grenada Red Cross Society became an independent National Society and was admitted to the IFRC. It has its headquarters in the country’s capital city of St. George’s. The mission of the National Society is to serve humanity through the promotion of health and safety, disaster preparedness and response, social welfare, and youth programmes. It is a member of the National Disaster Management Advisory Council and performs an auxiliary role to the Government in disaster- and health-related emergencies.
The Grenada Red Cross Society reached 915 people through long-term services and development programmes. Through its disaster response and early recovery programmes, it reached 257 people.
Guyana Red Cross Society
Number of staff: 11
Number of volunteers: 150
Number of branches: 0
The Guyana Red Cross Society was established as a branch of the British Red Cross in 1948. After Guyana gained independence in 1967, it officially became the Guyana Red Cross Society. It was admitted to the IFRC in 1969. The Guyana Red Cross Society acts as an auxiliary to the public authorities
in the humanitarian field, providing a range of services addressing both immediate and long-term needs. These include emergency shelter, food and medicine, water, and sanitation, restoring family links for disaster victims, disaster preparedness, community-based health and care, first aid training and activities, control and prevention of disease, HIV/ AIDS prevention, and youth and volunteer activities.
The Guyana Red Cross Society is responsible for delivering humanitarian aid and developing programmes and outreach services. The Guyana Red Cross Society reached 6,047 people through long-term services and development programmes in 2022. The number of people reached by disaster response and early recovery programmes was 3,974.