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NATIONAL SOCIETY PROFILE
The Haiti Red Cross Society was founded in 1932, recognized as being of public utility by a Presidential Decree, and admitted to the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 1937. The National Society has an auxiliary role to the public authorities to contribute to the improvement of health, the prevention of disease and accidents, and the alleviation of suffering; to support effective risk reduction actions; and to provide emergency relief services for the victims of disasters of any kind. The Haiti Red Cross Society also collaborates with the public authorities for the protection and assistance of vulnerable migrants and displaced people and in the promotion of International Humanitarian Law.
With over 90 years of experience in crisis and emergency management, the Haiti Red Cross Society is well recognized and accepted by the country’s population. Its neutrality facilitates the impartial provision of services to prevent and alleviate human suffering in a complex context, where outbreaks of violence and socio-political instability aggravate the protection needs of the people affected. Its ambulance service is one of the country’s only independent and neutral ambulance service providers. The National Society’s network of branches allows strong connections with local communities and to reach the most remote and underserved populations, and its close to 10,000 volunteers often originate from the communities they serve, which fosters trust.
The National Society plays a key role in improving the coordination between health and civil protection authorities and communities and fosters links between emergency response and long-term development programmes. The Haiti Red Cross Society defines its strategic pillars as:
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Be prepared to act better: mobilize communities to become more resilient, and build capacities to prepare for and respond effectively to disasters and crises; support risk reduction preparedness, response and recovery, while strengthening its role and competencies as an auxiliary to the public authorities
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Mitigate the risks: support communities to identify the warning signs of emergencies, and anticipate and mitigate the impact of emergency situations, including health-related issues and adaptation to climate change
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Act for more social inclusion: promote the social inclusion of the most disadvantaged groups, as it builds community resilience and meets the protection and humanitarian needs of migrants