Malaysian Red Crescent Society

Malaysian Red Crescent

Type	Non-profit organization
Industry	Health
Founded	1948
Headquarters	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Products	Humanitarian aid
Website	http://www.redcrescent.org.my

The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) (Malay: Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia) is a voluntary humanitarian organisation that seeks to promote humanitarian values, as well as provide service and public education in disaster management, and health and care in the community. It is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Organised in 15 branches and 94 chapters nationwide, the Malaysian Red Crescent is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian Red Crescent also has a very active presence among youths and young adults through a well organised network of youth and adult volunteer units in schools and institutions of higher learning.

History

The Malaysian Red Crescent has its beginnings in 1948 as branches of the British Red Cross Society in the former British North Borneo (now the Malaysian state of Sabah) and Sarawak. In 1950, the British Red Cross Society established the first branch in Penang in the Federation of Malaya from which it rapidly expanded its presence in the other states.

Upon the independence of the Federation of Malaya on August 31, 1957, the branches in Malaya were reorganized as the Federation of Malaya Red Cross Society and the society was officially incorporated by statute with the passing of the Federation of Malaya Red Cross Society (Incorporation) Act 1962 by Parliament. On July 4, 1963, the Federation of Malaya Red Cross Society received official recognition as an independent national society by the International Committee of the Red Cross and subsequently admitted as a member of the League of Red Cross Societies on August 24, 1963.

With the formation of the larger federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, the Malaysian Red Cross Society (Incorporation) Act 1965 to incorporate the Federation of Malaya Red Cross Society and the branches of the Red Cross Society in Sabah and Sarawak under the name of the Malaysian Red Cross Society was passed by Parliament and gazetted on July 1, 1965. On September 5, 1975, the Malaysian Red Cross Society was renamed the Malaysian Red Crescent Society by the passing of the Malaysian Red Cross Society (Change of Name) Act 1975 by Parliament.

Principles & Purpose

The aim of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society is to provide services, comfort and help where needed, first in our country Malaysia and secondly, manpower and finances permitting, to neighbouring countries. All volunteers and staff must abide by the seven fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Fundamental Principles

• Humanity

It seeks to prevent and alleviate suffering wherever it may be found, to protect life and health and ensure respect for the human being. It promotes understanding, cooperation and peace among people.

• Impartiality

It makes no distinction of nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

• Neutrality

To safeguard its position of trust, it does not take aides in hostilities or join in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

• Independence

Although an auxiliary to the public authorities it maintains complete autonomy in all its action.

• Voluntary Service

It is a voluntary organisation not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

• Unity

There is only one Red Cross/Red Crescent Society in any country. It is open to all and extends its action in the entire country.

• Universality

The Red Cross/Red Crescent is a world-wide institution. National Societies have equal status and equal responsibilities.

Purpose

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society has all the rights and duties of a National Red Crescent Society as a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and shall be prepared to act as an authorized Voluntary Aid Society subject to the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. In pursuing these duties, it shall be the duty of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society to :

• In time of peace or war, to carry on and assist in work for the improvement of health, the prevention of disease and the mitigation of suffering throughout the world;
• In time of war, to furnish voluntary aid to the sick and wounded both of armies and non-belligerents, to prisoners of war and to civilian sufferers from the effects of war, in accordance with the spirit and covenants of the Geneva Conventions for the amelioration of the conditions of the wounded and sick in armed forces in the field, signed at Geneva on 12 August 1949;
• To perform all the duties devolved upon a national society by each nation which has acceded to the said Conventions.

Services

MRC Institute

See also

• List of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

External links

• The MRC Official Website
• Malaysian Red Crescent(Incorporation) Act 1965
• Malaysian Red Cross (Change of Name) Act 1975