The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) was established in 1920 and is a voluntary humanitarian organization with over 1100 branches throughout India. It provides relief during disasters and emergencies and promotes health care for vulnerable communities. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, IRCS adheres to the seven fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. IRCS's programs focus on promoting humanitarian values, disaster response, disaster preparedness, and health in communities.

1. INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY

2. About IRCS
 The Indian Red Cross is a voluntary humanitarian organization
having a network of over 1100 branches throughout the country,
providing relief in times of disasters/emergencies and promotes
health & care of the vulnerable people and communities.
 It is a leading member of the largest independent humanitarian
organization in the world, the International Red Cross & Red
Crescent Movement.
 The movement has three main components, the International
Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), 192 National Societies and
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies.

3. ABOUT IRCS
 Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) was established in
1920 under the Indian Red Cross Society Act.
 The IRCS has 36 State / Union Territories Branches with
their more than 1100 districts and sub district branches.
 Honorable President of India is the President and
 Hon'ble Union Health Minister is the Chairman of the
Society.
 The Vice Chairman is elected by the members of the
Managing Body.

4. ABOUT IRCS
 The National Managing Body consists of 19
members.
 The Chairman and 6 members are nominated by
the President. The remaining 12 are elected by the
state and union territory branches through an
electoral college.
 The Managing Body is responsible for
governance and supervision of the functions of
the society through a number of committees.

5. Governance Structure
 President (Hon’ble President of India): Mr Shri Ram
Nath KOVIND
 Chairman (Hon'ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare,
Government of India) : Dr. Harsh VARDHAN
 Vice-Chairman: Mr Avinash Rai Khanna
 Secretary General: Mr Shri. R.K. JAIN
 Joint Secretary : Dr. Veer BHUSHAN
 Deputy Secretary: Mr Manish CHOUDHARY
 Deputy Secretary: Mr Neel Kamal SINGH
 Director, Blood Bank: Dr Vanshree SINGH

6. MISSION
 The Mission of the Indian Red Cross
is to inspire, encourage and initiate at
all times all forms of humanitarian
activities so that human suffering can
be minimized and even prevented and
thus contribute to creating more
congenial climate for peace.

7. Origin of Indian Red Cross Society
 During the first world war in 1914, India had no
organization for relief services to the affected
soldiers, except a branch of the St. John
Ambulance Association
 Later, a branch of the same Committee was
started to undertake the much needed relief
services in collaboration with the St. John
Ambulance Association in aid of the soldiers as
well as civilian sufferers of the horrors of that
great war.

8.  A bill to constitute the Indian Red Cross Society,
Independent of the British Red Cross, was
introduced in the Indian Legislative Council on 3rd
March 1920 by Sir Claude Hill.
 On 7th June 1920 , fifty members were formally
nominated to constitute the Indian Red Cross
Society and the first Managing Body was elected.
Origin of Indian Red Cross Society

9. Origin of Indian Red Cross
Society
 Indian Red Cross Society is a member of the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement.
 Indian Red Cross Society has partnership with
National Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, St. John Ambulance, International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement (IFRC), International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC ), Multinational firms.
 It also coordinates with Indian Government and
other agencies ( UNDP, WHO etc )

10. Red Cross Emblem
 Red Cross on a white background, is the
Emblem of Red Cross, recognized in
1864 as the distinctive sign for medical
relief teams on the battle field.
 The National Society make use of the
emblem as an indicative device in
peacetime and during armed conflicts
within the limits stipulated in national
legislation.

12. Programmes and Activities
The Indian Red Cross's programmes are
grouped into four main core areas:
 Promoting humanitarian principles and
values;
 Disaster response;
 Disaster preparedness; and
 Health and Care in the Community.

13.  Red Cross promotes the Humanitarian
values , which encourage respect for other
human beings and a willingness to work
together to find solutions to problems.
 Disaster response continues to represent the
largest portion of IRCS work, with assistance
to millions of people annually ranging from
refugees to victims of natural disasters.
Programmes and Activities

14.  The sharp increase in the number of natural
disasters countrywide in recent years has prompted
the Red Cross to devote more attention to Disaster
preparedness activities.
 These aim to make Red Cross Societies and
communities more aware of the risks they face, how
to reduce their vulnerability, and how to cope when
disaster strikes.
 Health and community care has become a
cornerstone of humanitarian assistance, and
accounts for a large part of Red Cross spending.
Through these programmes, the Red Cross aims to
enable communities to reduce their vulnerability to
disease, and prepare for and respond to public
health crises.
Programmes and Activities

15. OTHER ACTIVITIES
 Blood bank services
 Hiv/aids prevention
 Hospital services for sick and wounded
men of the defence forces
 Home for disabled servicemen
 Vocational training centre
 Maternity and child care
 Family welfare

16. Seven Fundamental Principles of Red
Cross
 1. Humanity : The International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without
discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in
its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate
human suffering wherever it may be found.
 Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect
for the human being.
 It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and
lasting peace amongst all peoples.

17.  2. Impartiality : It makes no
discrimination as to nationally, race,
religious beliefs, class or political
opinions.
 It endeavors to relieve the suffering of
individuals, being solely by their needs,
and to give priority to the most urgent
cases of distress.
Seven Fundamental Principles of
Red Cross

18.  3. Neutrality : In orders to enjoy the
confidence of all, the Movement may
not take sides in hostilities or engage
in controversies of a political, racial,
religious or ideological nature.
Seven Fundamental Principles of
Red Cross

19.  4. Independence : The Movement is
independent. The National Societies, while
auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their
governments and subject to the laws of their
respective countries, must always maintain their
autonomy so that they may be able at all times to
act in accordance with the principles of the
Movement.
Seven Fundamental Principles of
Red Cross

20.  5. Voluntary service : It is voluntary
relief movement not prompted in any
manner by desire for gain.
Seven Fundamental Principles of
Red Cross

21.  6. Unity : There can be only one Red
Cross Or Red Crescent in any one
country.
 It must be open to all.
 It must carry on its humanitarian work
throughout its territory.
Seven Fundamental Principles of
Red Cross

22.  7. Universality : The International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in
which all societies have equal status and
share equal responsibilities and duties in
helping each other, is worldwide.
Seven Fundamental Principles of
Red Cross

23. THANK YOU