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NATIONAL SOCIETY PROFILE
The Malagasy Red Cross Society was created in 1915, recognized in its current form by decree in 1963, and admitted to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies the same year. The National Society’s auxiliary role to the public authorities in the humanitarian field was officially regulated in 1984. It is a key organization in directly supporting disaster preparedness in Madagascar and runs emergency operations, and reconstruction and rehabilitation following a disaster. The National Society is part of the country’s national emergency response mechanism, led by the Government, through the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management.
The National Society operates through its wide network of volunteers, 22 regional branches, and local units in each of the country’s 1045 communes. It aims to prevent and alleviate the suffering of vulnerable people impartially, without discriminating on the grounds of ethnicity, race, class, sex, religion, language, social condition or political opinion.
The National Society in Madagascar contributes to disaster management and risk reduction, improving health, preventing diseases, first aid, teaching people how to react in the event of a disaster, and encouraging young people to participate in its activities. It popularizes the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and works with public authorities to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and to protect the Red Cross emblem.
In 2022, the Malagasy Red Cross Society directly reached almost 12,600 people with agricultural kits and seeds, 11,000 people with cash assistance, 7,400 households with water, sanitation and hygiene kits, and 4,500 households with shelter kits. Over 370,000 people were sensitized on COIVD-19 vaccination and 23,000 vaccinated, 5,000 sensitized on plague disease, and 41,500 benefitted from improved water, sanitation and hygiene.
The National Society’s Strategic Plan for 2021–2025 has three main priorities:
• To promote resilient communities and save lives in times of disasters, epidemics and humanitarian crises through disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, and community-based health and first aid
• To build a well-structured and transparent National Society with strong branches that contribute to its sustainability through governance and management, youth and volunteering, and financial sustainability
• To foster humanitarian diplomacy and the values of the Movement through partnership and advocacy