Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz

Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz is the National Society of the Austrian Red Cross, established in 1880 as a national institution for humanitarian aid. It is committed to improving the lives of people in need and social vulnerability through the power of humanity. With a federated structure, it comprises the General Secretariat, 9 regional branches, and 133 district offices, involving around 10,200 full-time and over 72,000 voluntary workers. The organization's range of responsibilities includes emergency medical services, blood donation services, healthcare, social services, disaster preparedness and relief, development cooperation, dissemination of humanitarian law, migration and search services, as well as education and youth work through Youth Red Cross. Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz is part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which is present in 192 countries and comprises millions of staff members, 11.1 million of them volunteers. The Movement is founded on the principle of providing impartial assistance wherever it is needed, with a mission to improve the lives of people in distress and those who are socially vulnerable through the power of humanity. The Austrian Red Cross embodies this spirit with about 85,000 volunteers, 74,000 of whom commit their spare time, delivering assistance without questioning the reasons behind it. The organization's dedication to humanitarian action is summed up in its slogan, "Das Leben von Menschen in Not und sozial Schwachen durch die Kraft der Menschlichkeit verbessern" ("Improve the lives of people in need and socially vulnerable through the power of humanity"). Headquartered in Austria, Österreichisches Rotes Kreuz represents an important force for both national and international humanitarian aid.