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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 [[Secretary General|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.
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 [[Secretary General|General Secretary]] is Ms. Kristiina Kumpula. By the end of year 2006 the FRC was employing 1,168 people, of which 136 in the [[Helsinki]] headquarters.


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


==History of the Finnish Red Cross==
==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 [[Guard Jaeger Regiment|Finnish Guard]] in [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)|Russo-Turkish War]]. The FRC was recognized by the [[International Committee of the Red Cross|ICRC]] in 1920 and became a member of [[International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|IFRC]] in 1921. [[Finland]] have ratified all the [[Geneva Conventions]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>
Finnish Red Cross was founded on [[May 7]], [[1877]] to care for the wounded and sick soldiers of the [[Guard Jaeger Regiment|Finnish Guard]] in the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)|Russo-Turkish War]]. The FRC was recognized by the [[International Committee of the Red Cross|ICRC]] in 1920 and became a member of [[International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|IFRC]] in 1922, when [[Finland]] ratified the [[Geneva Conventions]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>


In 1948 the FRC took the operational responsibility of the [[blood transfusion]] services in [[Finland]] which was previously operated by the [[The Guides and Scouts of Finland|Finnish Scouts]] since 1935.
In 1948 the FRC took the operational responsibility of the [[blood transfusion]] services in [[Finland]], which had been operated by the [[The Guides and Scouts of Finland|Finnish Scouts]] since 1935. The FRC transfusion service is a legally independent organization.


==Domestic operations==
==Domestic operations==
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Finnish Red Cross [[Drug]] and [[Alcohol]] programme includes prevention work and early intervention. FRC has [[volunteers]] who act as [[rehabilitation counseling|counsellors]] in schools and other communities in their own expertise.
Finnish Red Cross [[Drug]] and [[Alcohol]] programme includes prevention work and early intervention. FRC has [[volunteers]] who act as [[rehabilitation counseling|counsellors]] in schools and other communities in their own expertise.


The FRC has a yearly [[fundraiser|fundrising]] day called Hunger Day (In Finnish:[http://www.redcross.fi/ajankohtaista/kampanjatjakeraykset/nalkapaiva/ Nälkäpäivä]) every autumn, usually in September. Every year this [[civil society campaign|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 [[civil society campaign|campaign]] day [[volunteer]] [[fundraiser]]s can be seen front of [[grocery stores]] and other public places. In schools [[school dinner|school meals]] can be reduced and served for example without [[salad]], [[bread]] or [[milk]].
The FRC holds a [[fundraiser]] known as Hunger Day(''[http://www.redcross.fi/ajankohtaista/kampanjatjakeraykset/nalkapaiva/ Nälkäpäivä]'') every autumn, usually in September. The [[civil society campaign|campaign]] has an annual theme; in 2006 people were reminded how [[desertification]], [[flood]]ing and [[storms]] most affect the children under five years of age. On the day volunteer fundraisers can be seen in front of [[grocery stores]] and other public places. In schools [[school dinner|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 [[company|companies]]. FRC has more than 550 [[first aid]] groups around the [[Finland|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 [[Foundation (nonprofit organization)|civic organisations]] and over 30,000 volunteers.
The FRC trains over 80,000 people yearly on the [[first aid]] and [[CPR]] courses for the [[general public]] and [[company|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 [[Foundation (nonprofit organization)|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]].
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]].
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==Finnish Red Cross youth==
==Finnish Red Cross youth==
The organisation also has youth programs and youth based operations. Members between 13-29 years of age compose 10% of all members and operate on all levels of the organisation.
The organisation also has youth programs and youth based operations. Members between 13-29 years of age compose 10% of all members and operate on all levels of the organisation.
In the Finnish Red Cross 2008 national meeting was stated that youth work will be supported also in the future, and that the goal for 2011 is to gain 5% more youth members.
It was decided in the Finnish Red Cross 2008 national meeting that youth work will be supported also in the future, and that the goal for 2011 is to gain 5% more youth members.


==International operations==
==International operations==

Revision as of 14:53, 19 March 2009

Finnish Red Cross - FRC
Suomen Punainen Risti - SPR
Finlands Röda Korset - FRK
Company typeInternational nongovernmental organization
IndustryWell-being
FoundedMay 7, 1877
Headquarters,
Key people
Mr Erkki Liikanen, Ms Kristiina Kumpula
ProductsHumanitarian aid
Number of employees
1168 (2006), 95,000 members & 45,000 active volunteers
Websitehttp://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, of which 136 in the Helsinki headquarters.

The Finnish Red Cross is based on volunteering and has branches in almost every municipality in Finland. The organisational structure has three layers: local branches, districts and national headquarters. Volunteers are important decision-makers on every level and on the 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 care for the wounded and sick soldiers of the Finnish Guard in the Russo-Turkish War. The FRC was recognized by the ICRC in 1920 and became a member of IFRC in 1922, when Finland ratified the Geneva Conventions.[1]

In 1948 the FRC took the operational responsibility of the blood transfusion services in Finland, which had been operated by the Finnish Scouts since 1935. The FRC transfusion service is a legally independent organization.

Domestic operations

The 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 holds a fundraiser known as Hunger Day(Nälkäpäivä) every autumn, usually in September. The campaign has an annual theme; in 2006 people were reminded how desertification, flooding and storms most affect the children under five years of age. On the day volunteer fundraisers can be seen in 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 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.[2]

Finnish Red Cross youth

The organisation also has youth programs and youth based operations. Members between 13-29 years of age compose 10% of all members and operate on all levels of the organisation. It was decided in the Finnish Red Cross 2008 national meeting that youth work will be supported also in the future, and that the goal for 2011 is to gain 5% more youth members.

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 Disaster Relief Fund and the Finnish government. In recent years, the European Union has also provided funds.[3]

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

  1. ^ "ICRC - International Humanitarian Law - Treaties & Documents - Finland". International Committee of the Red Cross. 2005. Retrieved 2008-05-25.
  2. ^ "Finnish Red Cross - From People to People". The Finnish Red Cross. 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-25.
  3. ^ "Finnish Red Cross - From Disaster Relief and Development Cooperation". The Finnish Red Cross. 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-25.