Ethiopian Red Cross Society Historical Background

Historical evidences indicate that efforts to establish a National Society were made as far back as 111 years ago during the Battle of Adwa, the first Ethlo-Itallan war of 1896. However, the Geneva Convention was not being ratified by Government of Ethiopia at that time so as to enable Its establishment. Hence, there were serious concerns among friendly European countries that there would be large number of wounded Ethiopian soldiers in need of medical assistance and would subsequently perish during the course of the battle due to the unbalanced power and lack of basic first aid services.

The Russian Red Cross medical team arrived in Ethiopia on 5^th August 1896 and cared for about 250 wounded returnee soldiers. These humanitarian acts inspired the establishment of “Ethiopian Red Cross Doctors Society” on 18 November 1896 with Empress Taitu Bitul as its premier patroness.

Between 1929 and 1935, the, League of Red Cross Societies Now, (IFRORC) and British Red Croat Society made various attempts to establish a National Society in Ethiopia, without much success until the Wal Wal Incident of 6 December 1934. As an evidence of such efforts, 5 stamps holding Red Cross Emblem were Initiated in 1931 and exhibited at the National Postal Museum. Before the Wal Wal incident, which was considered by many as the prelude to the impending second Ethio-Italian war, few public spirited and far sighted Ethiopians with humanitarian motivation and British nationals living In Addis Ababa had been advising the Ethiopian government on the necessity of establishing a National Society. The 1CRC recognizing the dangers faced by the Ethiopian armed forces urged the Ethiopian government to ratify the Geneva Convention promptly.

Establishing a National Society for Ethiopia was materialized after a powerful speech delivered by HE Emperor Haile Selassie I before the League of Nations. Hence. Due to local initiatives and foreign concerns, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established on 8 July 1935 in Addis Ababa as the aftermath of the second Ethio-Italian War (1935-1941). Within few months of its establishment, the Society Hewan its involvement in humanitarian services by training and deplane 100 first aid providers and 6 ambulances to various war fronts.

Carrying its protective emblem, ERCS was first committed to care for the wounded soldiers and civilians. Then Ethiopian Ambassador to France, H.E Bejrond Tekle Hawariat traveled to Geneva to sign the Geneva Convention on 15 July 1935. ERCS was then officially recognized as the member of the League of Red Cross Societies, now known as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, on 25 September 1935. Since then the National Society has dedicated 25 years of distinguished humanitarian Services in July 2010 for which four commemorative stamps are initiated as a remembrance of its core and historical activities.

The ERCS is constituted as an independent entity by the National charter which was last revised in 1999. While maintaining its independence, it plays a unique auxiliary role to the government’s humanitarian efforts in alleviating the vulnerability and sufferings of the people. The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is the National Society’s Patron.

Currently, ERCS has Il regional offices, 27 zonal branches, 50 Woreda/ district branches and about 2,600 grass root communities Kebele all over the country. This network enables the Society to run activities and deliver services at national level serving as the front line. The ERCS strong platform and network is supported by over 90,000 trained volunteers, and more than 2.6 million members, who give the Society its comparative advantage over other similar organizations. The well-functioning of the National Society thus depends on its volunteers, members and committed staff for the different programs and projects co-existing and working in synergy to ensure objectives of the National Society are met.

National Head Quarter

The Current National Head Quarter of ERCS is located near the National Stadium, next to Ghandi Memorial Hospital. This is the second HQ of ERCS serving since 1983 next to that of its Original HO located in Piassa. ERCS manages and implements four core programs:

1. Food Security & Disaster Preparedness / Response Program/
2. Health and Care Program
   • HIV/AIDS and other public health emergency programs and
3. Promotion of Humanitarian Values.

Food Security and Disaster Preparedness Response

Based on the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) movement, ERCS has formulated policies and strategies which are consistent with policy of Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission, now Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS).

In accordance with 1994 code of conduct for IFRC/RC movement and Non Governmental Organizations in disaster relief, ERCS could be involved in various ways of disaster response depending on the type of hazard leading to emergency situations. At national level. ERCS responds as per the appeal and guidance of the DRMESS. Food Security program of the Society is largely concerned with building and strengthening capacities of regional branches so as to address vulnerability with a range of food security activities. Tasks of the National Society in disaster response are accomplished mainly by trained stall, volunteers and members in multidimensional disaster response training.

Health and Care Initiatives

The healthcare provided by. ERCS is complementary to those provided by the government. The ERCS is expected to provide integrated Primary Health Care (PHC) such as health education control of common communicable diseases, Public Health in Emergencies Community Based Health and First Aid and ambulance services, Essential Drugs Program (EDP), Road Safety water and sanitation (Wat-San), HIV/AIDS prevention and control Programs.

ERCS HIV/AIDS program was established in 1998 in only two branches with the assistance of the Danish Red Cross. Now, the program covers 15 branches including Addis Ababa. The program focuses peer education in schools, sensitization through community conversation, advocacy against stigmatization and discrimination, Community Home Based Care in support of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and orphans. Although HIV/AIDS program is functioning under the umbrella of health and Care department, Essential Drugs Program and Blood Bank Service are independent units, each managed by a Program Director.

The National Blood Bank

Established in 1969, the Red Cross National Blood Bank (NBB) is a unique public service that has been operating for the last 4 decades in the country.

ERCS has one Central Blood Bank in Addis Ababa and 11 Blood Bank branches in the country. Annually 42,000 units of blood on average collected, screened and distributed to health institutions. The NBB contribute close to 50% of safe blood demand of the country. Club 25 is also providing to be of value during periods of seasonal shortage. 59% of blood collection comes from replacement while 41% comes from voluntary donations.

Mobile Blood Donation drive is usually carried out in schools, Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations, factories and other public places to increase the level of voluntary blood donation. The rate of Voluntary Blood Donors is increasing year after year. However, Despite ERCS’s capacity with its limited blood donation drive, the country has an ever growing high demand of safe blood for life-threatening emergencies such as road accident, childbirth complications, etc.

Ambulance Service and Community Based Health & First Aid (CBHFA)

ERCS Ambulance service was started in 1952 and its service was limited to major towns such as Addis Ababa and Hararghe. Now it is the only organization providing nationwide 24-hour free ambulance service to 125 cities and towns by deploying around 10 ambulances in 129 stations.

In the majority of CHLSCS local municipalities which benefit from the ambulance service have signed Memorandum of Understanding (Molls with ERCS to support the procurement and maintenance of the ambulances so that they are in good running condition Ambulances which are too old and rundown are being rendered through the replacement fund established by the ERCS and the respective municipalities. An Ambulance Attendant Training Manual was developed in 2002 and more than 3000 ambulance attendants have been trained so far country wide. As part of the soil ware service of the ambulance program, there is always an opening ambulance attendant PHEC and refresher training, ERCS is a pioneer humanitarian organization for the First training. ERCS provides this internationally acknowledged first-aid training for schools, factories, private businesses sectors. governmental and non-governmental organizations at various local communities, military and police organizations. The training integrates routine first aid service with other promotional and educational health activities by involving volunteers from the Community.

First-aid services are also provided by Red Cross youths in schools and during public gatherings. The youth volunteers do not only give first aid to casualties but also work with their community in identifying common local health problems and mobilizing local resources. Other activities include clean-up campaign, community mobilization including immunization and dissemination of simple health messages

Humanitarian Values

Ethiopia is among countries that ratified all four Geneva Conventions and two of its additional Optional Protocols. In other words, Ethiopia has a legal obligation to observe and respect the Conventions and the Additional Protocols under International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS), as a member of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, plays the main role of disseminating humanitarian values (The 7 Fundamental Principles of Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, roles and mandates of the ERCS and the IHL) to the public at large. Since 1985, with the support of the ICRC, the ERCS has carried out dissemination program to government officials, members of the armed forces, police, prison guards, journalists and the general public. This is aimed at sensitizing relevant authorities and the civilian population on the basic rights of civilians and wounded or captured combatants in times of international and non-international conflicts.

Fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

HUMANITY: promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among at all people.

IMPARTIALITY: makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

NEUTRALITY: The Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of political, social, religious or ideological nature.

INDEPENDENCE: The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy.

VOLUNTARY SERVICE: It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted by any manner by desire for gain.

UNITY: There can only be one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

UNIVERSALITY: The Movement, in which all societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Source: Ethiopian Red Cross Society