Albanian Red Cross

The oldest humanitarian organization in Albania was founded one hundred years ago on October 4, 1921. In 1923, while only 37 Red Cross Societies existed, Albanian Red Cross was officially recognized by the International Committee of Red Cross. Since then, we have been a member of the International Federation (at the time the League) of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. With commendable activity before and after World War II, the Albanian Red Cross created its profile as a modern National Red Cross Society thanks to a regular exchange with the most developed Red Cross Societies. The Albanian Parliament recognized our National Society as an independent volunteer humanitarian organization under Law No. 7864 on September 29, 1994. Based on Art. 1 of the Law Albanian Red Cross is a voluntary humanitarian society that performs its activities autonomously, in line with the Fundamental Principles of the humanitarian International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 – ratified by the Republic of Albania on May 27, 1957– and the Additional Protocols of June 10, 1977 – approved by the Albanian Republic on June 16, 1993. Albanian Red Cross is an auxiliary to the public authorities in the humanitarian field nationwide. We have demonstrated our capacity to organize humanitarian aid operations during crises and disasters in our country, helping a critical number of affected people. We actively provide social and health assistance to communities in need contributing to reducing vulnerability. We are also engaged in conveying the concerns and interests of vulnerable people to the decision-making authorities. We have been developing our National Society, increasing its presence within the country. We have been building and expanding our volunteer network to ensure we are as close to the communities as possible.