Serving humanity in Zimbabwe THE Fundamental Principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality - reflect a certain discipline within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, but they also and above all convey an overriding concern for human welfare. Admittedly, the Red Cross was not the first to relieve human suffering. Solidarity and compassion have always been widely expressed in both words and deeds in the most diverse cultures. The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society always strives to alleviate human suffering. The Society functions as an auxiliary to government in all its main programmes. However, the ZRCS maintains its autonomy and independence. Having started as a branch of the British Red Cross Society which was in existence in Zimbabwe as a voluntary association for 49 years, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society was established through an Act of Parliament, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society in 1981. The purpose of the Act is to constitute the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society as the national Red Cross Society for the purposes of the Geneva Conventions; to amend section 2 of the Welfare Organisations Act (Chapter 93); and to provide for matters incidental to or connected with the foregoing. It was officially recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and was admitted into the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 1983. . The International Federation’s Strategy 2010 has been used in the planning process; in particular for the development of a long-term strategic plan. The ZRCS operates in all the provinces in Zimbabwe. At present, there are 282 branches. As a gender sensitive organization, women constitute more than 52 per cent of the total members. At headquarters, women constitute 53 per cent of the senior staff members. This is a result of the equal opportunities and affirmative-action policies. The ZRCS has a volunteer development policy implemented through its development programme for leadership at the grass-roots level. The Society has also strategic core groups of volunteer professionals at national and provincial levels. The role of the ZRCS staff is to coordinate and monitor the work carried out by volunteers. The ZRCS runs several programmers all aimed at alleviating human suffering and addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of those in distress.

Purpose of the Zimbabwe Red Cross Act – To constitute the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society as the national Red Cross Society for the purposes of the Geneva Conventions; to amend section 2 of the Welfare Organisations Act (Chapter 93); and to provide for matters incidental to or connected with the foregoing Enacted by the President and the Parliament of Zimbabwe in 1981 through the Zimbabwe Red Cross Act, 1981.