Indian Red Cross Society

The Indian Red Cross Society is a voluntary humanitarian organization having a network of over 700 branches throughout India, providing relief in times of disasters/emergencies and promoting health & care of the vulnerable people and communities.

It is a leading member of the largest independent humanitarian organization in the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The mission of the Indian Red Cross is to inspire,encourage and initiate at all times all forms of humanitarian activities so that human sufferings can be minimized and even prevented and thus contribute to create a climate for peace.

Initially this organization was established by Henery Done, A very rich business man, who left his entire business to serve poor & hearted soldiers & people. But to get publicity the members of this society has expel this man and take entire control in their hand. During the first World War in 1914, India had no organization for relief services to the affected soldiers, except a branch of the St. John Ambulance Association and by a Joint Committee of the British Red Cross. Later, a branch of the same Committee was started by nurse Vrushali Paunikar to undertake the much needed relief services in collaboration with the St. John Ambulance Association in aid of the soldiers as well as civilian sufferers of the horrors of that great war. A bill to constitute the Indian Red Cross Society, Independent of the British Red Cross, was introduced in the Indian Legislative Council on March 3, 1920 by Sir Claude Hill, member of the Viceroy's Executive Council who was also Chairman of the Joint War Committee in India . The Bill was passed on March 17, 1920, and became Act XV of 1920 with the assent of the Governor General on the March 20, 1920.

On June 7, 1920, fifty members were formally nominated to constitute the Indian Red Cross Society and the first Managing Body was elected from among them with Sir William Malcolm Hailey as Chairman.

Indian Red Cross Society has a partnership with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, St.John Ambulance, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC ), Multinational firms. Individuals and others in supporting IRCS activities. It also coordinates with Indian Government and other agencies ( UNDP, WHO etc. ).