The Bhutan Red Cross Society (BRCS) was formally admitted as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today. This was decided unanimously at the 22nd session of the IFRC General Assembly, which is currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland.
A two-member delegation led by the BRCS Secretary-General, Dragyel Tenzin Dorjee supported by officials from the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, attended the admission ceremony.
According to the press release, the formal admission of BRCS to the IFRC marks a milestone in fulfilling the obligations as a party to the Geneva Conventions, which was ratified by Bhutan in 1991.
The IFRC advocates peace and dignity throughout the world, and provides support before, during and after a disaster or crisis.
The BRCS was established in Bhutan on 8th May 2017, coinciding with the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Day. The BCRS is an autonomous and not-for-profit organization established under the Bhutan Red Cross Society Act 2016. It is a voluntary aid society, auxiliary to the public authorities in the humanitarian field, having the mandates to save lives, protect livelihoods. Also, it strengthens recovery from disasters, to enable healthy and safe living, and to promote social inclusion and culture of care and protection.
The BRCS is part of a network of the movement, with 190 countries having an establishment of a Red Cross or a Red Crescent National Society.
Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen is the President of the Bhutan Red Cross Society.
