Finnish Red Cross

Infobox_Company
company_name = Finnish Red Cross - FRC Suomen Punainen Risti - SPR Finlands Röda Korset - FRK
company_
company_type = international organisation
foundation = May 7, 1877
location_city = Helsinki
location_country = Finland
key_people = Mr Kalevi Kivistö, Ms Kristiina Kumpula
industry = Well-being
products = Humanitarian aid
num_employees = 1168 (2006), 95,000 members & 45,000 active volunteers
revenue =
homepage = http://www.redcross.fi/en_GB/

The Finnish Red Cross (FRC) is a part of International Federation of Red Cross, which is one of the biggest and well-known international organisation in the world and on the field of humanitarian aid. FRC has over 90,000 members and around 45,000 active volunteers in Finland. FRC is divided to 12 districts and 550 local branches around the country. The current General Secretary is Ms. Kristiina Kumpula. By the end of year 2006 the FRC was employing 1,168 people, which 136 in the Helsinki headquarters.

Finnish Red Cross organisation is based on volunteering and it has branches in almost every municipality in Finland. The organisational structure have three layers: local branches, districts and national headquarters. On every level the volunteers are important decision makers and on local level the activity of the branches is determined how dedicated their members are.

History of the Finnish Red Cross

Finnish Red Cross was founded on May 7 1877 to take care of the health of wounded and sick soldiers of the Finnish Guard in Russo-Turkish War. The FRC was recognized by the ICRC in 1920 and became a member of IFRC in 1921. Finland have ratified all the Geneva Conventions. [cite web | url= http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/Pays?ReadForm&c=FI| title= ICRC - International Humanitarian Law - Treaties & Documents - Finland| date= 2005 | publisher= International Committee of the Red Cross| accessdate= 2008-05-25]

In 1948 the FRC took the operational responsibility of the blood transfusion services in Finland which was previously operated by the Finnish Scouts since 1935.

Domestic operations

The [http://www.veripalvelu.redcross.fi/asp/system/empty.asp?P=161&VID=default&SID=287256813915995&S=0&C=23366 Blood Transfusion Service] complements the national health services and is at the same time an important component of FRC's overall structure. Three of the districts have their own health care clinic.

The FRC also runs a national AIDS helpline and organises campaigns. In addition, it trains and finds support persons for HIV infected and their families.

Finnish Red Cross Drug and Alcohol programme includes prevention work and early intervention. FRC has volunteers who act as counsellors in schools and other communities in their own expertise.

The FRC has a yearly fundrising day called Hunger Day (In Finnish: [http://www.redcross.fi/ajankohtaista/kampanjatjakeraykset/nalkapaiva/ Nälkäpäivä] ) every autumn, usually in September. Every year this campaign has a theme, in 2006 people were reminded how desertification, flowing and storms effect most to children under five years of age. On the campaign day volunteer fundraisers can be seen front of grocery stores and other public places. In schools school meals can be reduced and served for example without salad, bread or milk.

The FRC trains over 80,000 people yearly on the payable first aid and CPR courses for the general public and companies. FRC has more than 550 first aid groups around the country with more than 8,000 volunteers. These groups are on duty daily in the majority of public events in Finland. They can also help in search and rescue when requested by the authorities. FRC also coordinates the Voluntary Rescue Service which is formed by over 40 civic organisations and over 30,000 volunteers.

The FRC has a national emergency group of psychologists which organises and coordinates psycho-social support in situations they are needed, for example after the Jokela school shooting.

FRC's Disaster Relief Fund is used to give assistance in accidents and due to social reasons. Domestic aid was about FIM 3.6 million (USD 955,000) in 2001. [cite web | url= http://www.redcross.fi/en_GB/| title= Finnish Red Cross - From People to People| date= 2007 | publisher= The Finnish Red Cross| accessdate= 2008-05-25]

International operations

The Finnish Red Cross gives international aid - personnel, funds, material - in response to appeals from the International Movement. There are two main sources for funds: FRC's [http://www.redcross.fi/lahjoita/katastrofirahasto/en_GB/disasterrelieffund/ Disaster Relief Fund] and the Finnish government. In recent years, the European Union has also provided funds. [cite web | url= http://www.redcross.fi/en_GB/| title= Finnish Red Cross - From Disaster Relief and Development Cooperation| date= 2007 | publisher= The Finnish Red Cross| accessdate= 2008-05-25]

Disaster relief is given to victims of war, conflict and natural disasters. Development cooperation improves the capacities and disaster preparedness of newly established sister societies or those with fewer resources. The FRC maintains its own Logistics Centre and International Personnel Reserve in Finland. The Disaster Relief Fund provides funds when needed. Funds are collected continuously and preferably as non-earmarked.

FRC's International Personnel Reserve comprises about 600 professionals trained on FRC's basic and further training courses. Approx. 100 of them work in international assignments every year.

FRC is also a member organisation of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE).

References

External links

* [http://www.redcross.fi/en_GB/ The Finnish Red Cross]
* [http://www.veripalvelu.redcross.fi/asp/system/empty.asp?P=161&VID=default&SID=287256813915995&S=0&C=23366 FRC's Blood Transfusion Service]
* [http://www.redcross.fi/lahjoita/katastrofirahasto/en_GB/disasterrelieffund/ FRC's Disaster Relief Fund]