The day of the foundation of the Red Cross Society in Ukraine (18/04)

On April 18, Ukraine celebrates the founding day of the Red Cross Society — of the oldest organization that personifies mercy, humanism, help and support.

On October 28, 1992, the President of Ukraine signed a Decree according to which the Society was recognized as the only National Red Cross Society authorized to provide support to state authorities in their humanitarian activities.

History of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine ( Ukrainian. The partnership of the Church of Ukraine ) has been around for more than a century. On April 15-18, 1918, the First Congress of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine was held in military-revolutionary Kiev, and on April 18 it is considered the start date of the Red Cross. The congress was convened on the initiative of the Mariinsky community of sisters of mercy of the Red Cross, which since 1878 has provided charitable medical assistance to the needy capital.

The main tasks that the Ukrainian Red Cross entrusted to itself at that difficult time were helping refugees and prisoners of war, caring for people with disabilities and orphans, combating hunger and epidemics, organizing hospitals, hospitals and food outlets for all those in need. Moreover, on the initiative and with the participation of activists of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine, public laundry and baths were built, feldsher-obstetric centers, pharmacies and sanitary hygiene stores were founded and equipped. For example, to combat the typhoid epidemic, the Ukrainian Red Cross has created treatment centers for thousands of places.

In the hungry 1921 – 1923, the Red Cross organized free canteens and distributed food rations to peasants. During World War II, the Red Cross Society of Ukraine prepared and sent over 100 thousand nurses, medical instructors and nurses to the front.

Currently, the Red Cross Society of Ukraine has more than 10 thousand activists and supporters who serve single elderly people, people with disabilities of war, labor and childhood. Highly qualified sisters of mercy work in the patronage service of the Society. The activities of the Company are financed through public donations and cooperation arrangements.

The main principles that guide volunteers and employees of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine in their daily work are humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntariness, unity, universality — these principles are fundamental to the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.

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