Swiss Red Cross

The Swiss Red Cross ("Schweizerische Rote Kreuz", or "SRC" / "SRK") is the national Red Cross society for Switzerland.

It was founded in 1866 in Bern, Switzerland. In accordance with the Genevans Red Cross Agreement and its recognition through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, it is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The SRC is Switzerland's oldest and largest relief agency, made up of 24 cantonal leagues, six "Korporativmitglieder", five foundations and two societies.

History

Foundation and first year

The Swiss Red Cross was established on 17 July 1866 at the instigation of Federal Councillor Jakob Dubs and the Red Cross members Gustave Moynier and Guillaume-Henri Dufour. After its foundation, the SRK named itself as an "aid organisation ["Hülfsverein"] for Swiss soldiers and their families".

The construction of the national organization was however full hindrances. To the one ordered Switzerland at this time first over slight consistency on federal level, to the other it had to fight with In addition,

Building the national organisation was, however, full of difficulties. For one thing, there was very little consistency in the organisation of Switzerland at the federal level at this time, and for another the organisation was hindered by political and confessional arguments. Also, Switzerland's neutrality and the existence of the IKRK as an institution in Swiss civil-society posed further difficulties.

In 1882 the Zurich Pfarrer Walter Kempin founded the "Centralverein des Schweizerischen Roten Kreuzes" (Central Verein of the Swiss Red Cross), and was its leader until 1885. It lasted until the start of the 20th century, with the appointment of the doctor Walther Sahli as standing Central Secretary in 1898 from the Centralverein and with the Hülfsverein founded by Dubs, Moynier and Dufour beginning to consolidate the SRK's structures. As a result, cantonal and local sections were established, Red Cross nursing organisations formed and transport sections set up. In 1903 the official role of the SRK was codified in a decree of the Federal Assembly, as a promoter of the nursing and in the service of the army.

With the invasion of the Bourbaki army in March 1871, the SRK saw its first action as an auxiliary arm. It counted, interned 85,000 for six weeks in Switzerland to furnish member of the French army medically.

First World War

In the First World War, the SRK was responsible for the social and material support of soldiers, such as by specially-equipped Sanitätszüge for the repatriation of approximately 80,000 wounded soldiers to their own countries, and for treatment of wounded soldiers in Switzerland. A further focal point in the SRK's activities was helping in the efforts against the Spanish flu epidemic, raging in Switzerland and throughout Europe in 1918.

Inter-war years

In the inter-war years, the SRK delivered - among other things - food aid to other countries, such as to Vienna in 1919 and to Russia (suffering from famine) in 1922.

econd World War

During the Second World War, the SRK provided for the support of the civil population and the army with material and auxiliary personnel and organized a blood donation service. It also promoted nursing training. It provided for 180,000 children to come to Switzerland in the form of the "Kinderhilfe" and provided for civilians and soldiers interned in Switzerland. In almost all the countries of Europe, it had own aid programmes or was involved in those set up by others.

After 1945

The SRK had its national and international meaning strengthened by both world wars and so from 1945 it expanded its scope and gained new recognition both at home and abroad, shifting its focus from military to civilian aid. It made a large contribution to forming the Swiss public health system, establishing and running a blood donation service and helping in outpatient care and occupational therapy. Helping with transport and house visits, and training carers, the SRK is also engaged in the social-medical area, and was also in large part responsible for the increasing professionalization of hospitals, nursing and rescue-work.

The SRK also actively supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and works in reconstruction and aid work. In international development, it is a partner of Switzerland's "Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit" (direction for development and collaboration) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and is well known in the Red Cross movement as being one of the most active national societies on the international scene.

Organisation

In accordance with Switzerland itself, the Swiss Red Cross is a federally structured association based in Bern. In 2004 it had 4,400 employees, with 2,500 in full-time positions, as well as 51,000 volunteers who work about 1.2 million hours.

Its central organ is the "Rotkreuzversammlung", made up of 64 delegates from the Kantonalverbände and 33 members of the "Korporativmitglieder". The 9-member "Rotkreuzrat" deals with strategic decisions and is supported through the offices of the SRK. The President (since 2001 the lawyer and former State Councillor René Rhinow) represents the SRK and the "Rotkreuzrat", as well as being "ex officio" vice-president of the Internation Federation of Red Cross Societies. The SRK's director is currently the economist Daniel Biedermann.

20% of the SRK's funding comes from private donations, over 50% from the health services it provides, 13% from the public purse, and the remaining 17% from other sources

In 2004 the SRK's income was 600 million Swiss francs, with a balance of 1.4 million Swiss francs.

The Korporativmitglieder

Institutions

Other features

Presidents

Presidents of the SRC and its precursor organisations:
*Jakob Dubs (1866–1872)
*Karl Schenk (1873–1882)
*Edmund von Steiger (1905–1908)
*Hans Konrad Pestalozzi (1908–1909)
*Isaak Iselin-Sarasin (1910–1918)
*Karl Bohny (1918–1928)
*Johannes von Muralt (1938–1946)
*Ambrosius von Albertini (1954–1968)
*Hans Haug (1968–1982)
*Kurt Bolliger (1982–1988)
*Karl Kennel (1988–1996)
*Franz Muheim (1996–2001)

External links

* [http://www.srk.ch Official website]