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Mission Statement
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We are a dynamic Fiji humanitarian organisation dedicated to saving and improving the lives of the most vulnerable through mobilising the power of humanity and the spirit of volunteerism.
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History
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The Fiji Red Cross Society was established in 1954 as a branch of the British Red Cross. It was recognised as an independent National Society in 1973. The Society is officially recognised by the government of Fiji as a voluntary relief organisation, an auxiliary to public authorities and as the only Red Cross Society in Fiji. It is the most widely recognised and respected humanitarian organisation in the country.
The Society has a National Council, a National Board, a National Office in Suva and 15 active branches and two Divisional Service Centres (DSC Northern and DSC Western ) throughout Fiji, covering 80% of the country. The Branches function primarily as relief operators and as a network system for implementing and promoting various programmes and services within their communities. The DSC Northern and DSC Western are the link on the ground for the National Office and the branches and each are responsible for their divisions respectively.
Depending on capacity, the Society fills the gaps where they can by providing the following free services and programmes:
- relief items to victims of natural disasters and fires
- protecting and promoting human dignity of people living with and affected by HIV
- community-based safety first aid
- community-based home care and the provision of ambulatory aids for the disabled and elderly
- HIV in the Workplace sessions
- Blood donor advocacy
- Red Cross in schools
The programme areas covered by the Society are as follows:
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National Council
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The National Council is the highest authority and meets once a year. However, if there are issues of interest before the next annual general meeting, a second special meeting is called. It is at the National Council that the members of the National Board are elected. The National Board meets at least once every 3 months.
Representatives to the National Council include the Patron, His Excellency Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, President of the Republic of Fiji, members of the National Board, honorary members who are past members of the national board, two council representatives from each of the 15 branches and the Director General as secretary.
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National Board
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The National Board is responsible for setting policies and guidelines. The Director General is responsible to the Board for the implementation of policies and procedures and the management of staff and activities of the Society.
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PRESIDENT
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Mr. Jerome Kado
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VICE PRESIDENT
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Ms. Elizbeth Dinny Laufenboeck
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MEMBERS
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Mrs. Annie Rogers
Mr. Richard Naidu
Mr. Nitin Gandhi
Mrs. Alison Cupit, Director General (ex-officio)
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National Office
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The Director General is the chief executive officer responsible for the management of day to day operations involving staff and financial resources of the Society.
The Society employs 22 paid staff at the National Office and seven at branch level as branch administrators.
The Society’s constitution defines the procedure regarding financial resources.
The main source of income for the Society are fundraising events and income generating projects, donor funded programmes and fee-earning training courses.
Income generation projects include the sale of first aid kits , ambulatory aids and first aid courses and rental from property.
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The Branches
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The Society has 15 branches located around the country. It is managed by elected branch executives in accordance with the FRCS Constitution.
In the branches, the Society has approximately 120 active volunteers with an additional 5,000 volunteers ready to be mobilised during emergencies such as a natural disaster.
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Types of Membership
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To become an active volunteer in a branch , please fill out a volunteer registration form and take it to your branch for endorsement and registration. An active volunteer does not pay a membership fee but is required to dedicate his/her time in helping the branch deliver red cross services into the community
You may alternatively, like to become a subscribing member of the branch, which is not active status but allows you to participate in the branch AGM and monthly meetings by being a paid up member
The appointment of an honorary member is the prerogative of the National Council.
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The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
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The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is made up of 186 National Societies including Fiji Red Cross. The Movement has more than 100 million volunteers worldwide.
The Movement components include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) as the coordinating body and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Our Movement's mission is to prevent or reduce human suffering, wherever it is found. Our Fundamental Principles of humanity, neutrality and independence guide us in this mission.
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International Commitee of the Red Cross
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The ICRC was formed in 1863 and is the founding body of the movement. Under the terms of the Geneva Conventions , it undertakes the role of neutral intermediary in times of armed conflict, providing protection and assistance to victims, visiting detainees, providing medical care to the sick and wounded as well as tracing and reuniting separated families.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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The Federation was founded in 1919 in Paris in the aftermath of World War I. Originally known as the League of Red Cross Societies it was renamed in October 1983 as the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. In November 1991 it became the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Fiji Red Cross is the one of 186 members of the Federation.
The Federation supports humanitarian activities of the Red Cross in each country including providing emergency relief for natural disasters, the development of new social welfare initiatives, caring for refugees or simply caring for the vulnerable in society.
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