About us
Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Intl Federa-tion of RCRC). The largest humanitarian organization in country, the NRCS works as an auxiliary to the Government of Nepal in humanitarian affairs by maintaining neutrality and impartiality through mobilization of volunteers.
Recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1964, the NRCS came into being under the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. As a key actor of the RCRC Movement, the NRCS extends solidarity to the global endeavors in saving lives and promoting human dignity.
Our mission
To relieve human suffering and to reduce vulnerability through community participation and mobilization of an increased number of volunteers, by mobilizing the power of humanity through expansion and strengthening of the organizational structure of the Society and by building links with governmental and non-governmental organization.
What we do?
In order to alleviate human suffering, irrespective of religion, race, sex, class, caste, tribe, nationality or political belief, the NRCS provides humanitarian services through multifarious activities with four strategic aims.
Save lives, protect livelihood, strengthen recovery from disaster and crisis
Strengthening response and recovery mechanism
The NRCS responds immediately to provide emergency assistance to disaster or crisis affected persons and families. It provides first aid, and assists with food, non -food, temporary shelter and tracing services. The NRCS mobilizes volunteers to respond to disasters at local, national, international levels. It has nationwide network of 2,000 volunteers for need assessment, relief distribution, shelter, emergency water and sanitation and restoring family link services. Non-food relief items are stocked for 35,000 families at 12 strategic locations across the country to provide immediate relief. Relief funds over 22 million rupees are set up for immediate response. The NRCS has established GIS and VHF radio for emergency communications. Reducing disaster risks
There are different approaches to reduce to disaster risks coupled with the capacity building. Thousands of comunities are facilitated to adapt disaster risks reduction measures. Awareness campaigns are carried out to change behavior in the programme comunities and schools prone to disaster. Early warning systems are in place tailored with the indig, practices. Communities are encouraged to manage relief funds, tool carry out simulation practices frequently. Likewise, a comprehc disaster management framework has been developed to rui activities in a more systemic manner.
Restoration of community functions
For resuming normal life after disasters or crisis, the I carries out programmes for livelihood promotion skills and rehabili Psycho-social programmes are launched for bringing peor normality. Recovery activities are carried out for people affected by disasters. Affected families in need get support for reconstructing h and renovating water sources. The NRCS greatly involves during public health in emergencies st responding to avian influenza, diarrhea, human to human pandemic others. The volunteers are equipped with standard operating procE and basic equipments. The NRCS also responds to the emerging challenges posc urbanization, climate change and violence of different kinds. Assisting conflict affected people The NRCS operates activities for conflict preparedness and rest Emergency first aid, ambulance, blood services and assistance ad are operated for affected population. It has developed emergerx aiders, Red Cross action team, RC knowledge and intern: humanitarian law disseminators, tracing persons and mine educators. The conflict affected people have also benefitted ti micro-economic supports. Disabled persons due to conflict are faci to get rehabilitation of amputees. The list of missing people in the decade long armed conflict in NE* been released jointly with the ICRC. Advocacy actions are contin ensure the family's right to know the fate of missing persons.
Promoting safer, resilient and healthy comnnmities
Extending and providing quality blood transfusion service
The NRCS promotes voluntary non-remunerated blood d collects blood, and manages its supply. It is the only organiza operate blood transfusion service in Nepal. Numbers of blood transfusion centers are established in districts based on needs. Safe and adequate supply of blood has been ensured through capacity building, quality control mechanism, motivation and care to blood donors, and networking with blood donor organizations.
Ambulance and first aid services For transportation of sick and wounded persons, ambulance service is run 24 hours a day through nationwide network.
With a view to meet 'First Aid for All', the NRCS has developed 14,000 first aid (FA) volunteers. Every district has a capacity to provide first aid service, and conduct first aid training and its promotion. The FA trainings are extended to the UN agencies, aid agencies, public and private organizations. Programmes are implemented in community based health approaches in
rural as well as urban communities. Eye-care services
The NRCS has hospital based and community outreach eye programmes for prevention and care including awareness and curative components. With 150 bed capacity, Shree Janaki Eye Hospital has been providing comprehensive eye care services in the Terai for decades. Primary eye care centers and mobile camps have benefitted different rural communities. Community eye care and health promotion activities are also operated in the mid western region.
Empowering communities and promotion of health.
The NRCS strives to empower vulnerable communities, women in particular, through community based health and development approach. Primary health care related issues are addressed through education, behavior change communications, and drinking water and sanitation. Through water and sanitation activities alone, about 3 million people have benefitted since 1980. Efforts are made to institutionalize emergency water and sanitation services in the communities. An approach has been adopted to empower communities by self-help group promotion and livelihood trainings. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have been involved for social mobilization to support the national health campaigns such as immunization campaigns for measles, polio, and other health campaigns. Snake bite hospital in Jhapa and acupuncture service in Kathmandu are also providing health care services.
Reproductive Health: HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support
The NRCS runs reproductive health activities focusing family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support. They address need of youth, women, migrant workers, and people infected/ affected by HIV/AIDS. Young people are empowered in life-skills through the mobilization of youth peer educators to help them manage physical, psychological and emotional changes during adolescent age.
Care and support programmes are networked with the health facilities for tertiary care. Following awareness or voluntary counseling and testing, clients are referred to hospitals for better care and treatment. While in the community, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphan children, single women and their families receive education, support and trainings for empowerment and livelihood.
Environmentally sustainable living
The NRCS seeks changes through plans and priorities for promoting urban health and sanitation. It has introduced activities to promote sustainable living. There are initiatives to address emerging issues like promotion of alternative energy, reducing environmental and technical threats and sensitizing people on climate change. Rainwater harvesting has been initiated in the involvement of the Juniors/Youths.
Promoting social inclusion and culture of non-violence and peace
Promoting Red Cross principles
The NRCS is bound by the fundamental principles of the RC viz. humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. The principles guide the actions of the organization and its volunteers- the power of humanity. The promotion of RC principles and international humanitarian law (IHL) intends to ensure safer access of volunteers to needy people all the time. Due to adherence to the RC principles, the presence of RC volunteers and services has been acceptedin all emergencies by the stateactors, non-state actors, communities and civil society. In addition, the promotion activities focus on friendship, cooperation, human dignity and contribute to ultimate peace.
The NRCS is an example in the world for promoting respect to RC emblem through dissemination of its protective value in emergency and a alleviating its misuse. This success was achieved through social mobilization, involvement of youth volunteers and multi-sectoral campaign for a decade.
Dissemination of RC principles and the fundamental rules of IHL are continued targeting communities, youth wings of political parties, academia, security forces, media and authorities across the country.
Reducing stigma and discrimination
The NRCS operates its activities to save lives and change minds of the vulnerable people. The neutral and impartial behaviours are promoted amongst RC workers. They in return influence private and public organi-zations and the general public for adopting such behaviours. Promotion of non-discriminatory behaviours has been maximized through sectoral and integrated component in community based activities. The NRCS advocates for promotion of non-discrimination to increase tolerance, cooperation and social harmony. This purpose is served through participatory approach in all community based interventions such as anti-trafficking. HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support, and Red Cross Radio programme.
Promotion of social inclusion
The NRCS has special priority to increase diversity, gender and social inclusion in both programme and organization. It strives to make diverse Nepalese communities feel well represented in the RC organization. The issue of social inclusion is being addressed in development activities as well as in emergency operations. Programmes and services are focused on the needs of marginalized groups of people. Communication activities are intensified for increasing social inclusion, respect for diversity and better access of vulnerable people in public services.
Strengthen organizational and management capacity to mince vulnerability
Promotion of volunteerism
Promotion RC principles and expansion of services have contributed to promote volunteerism. There are activities for volunteers' management, protection. recognition and promotion. People of all ages and areas are encouraged to join in the RC activities.
Governance and organizational capacity
By increased involvement of volunteers and members in the RC services, the NRCS is expanding its organizational capacity to reduce vulnerability. There are 150 thousands adult members and 90 thousand volunteers affiliated to district chapters (75) and subchapters (1.300). Likewise, about one million members are affiliated to the junior and youth circles (5,000).
The governance of the NRCS- central, district chapter and sub-chapter (community level), is formed through democratic processes for every four years. The Central Executive Committee (CEC), formed through democratic process, bears overall responsibility to execute the mandates given by the National Assembly- the apex body. As a secretariat to the CEC. the national headquarters supports district chapters and sub-chapters for the implementation of programmes and delivery of services.
How we work?
The NRCS focuses on impacts of its activities to the target population. Adhered to RC principles and the principles of partnership. the NRCS intends to develop cooperation, and to strengthen coordination, linkage and networks amongst Government, RCRC Movement. UN agencies. media, and national and international organizations. We adopt standardized tools and modalities for all programmes and services.
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