The Italian Red Cross (Associazione della Croce RossaItaliana) establishment dates back to 15 June 1864. The Italian Red Cross has been carrying out its mandate and activities in the humanitarian field within the framework of the International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, of which it is a member. It is based on the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols and always operates according to the Fundamental Principles of the International Movement of RC/RC: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Volunteerism, Unity and Universality.
Over the last years, following the decisions contained in the Legislative Decree n. 178, issued by the Italian Parliament, the Italian Red Cross went through a procedure leading to a change of its legal status, from a public law body to a private entity, starting from the 1st January 2016. The mentioned changes in the legal status are certified by the official document establishing the “Associazione della Croce RossaItaliana” (AttoCostitutivo) and the new Statute.
The Italian Red Cross can count on the work of about 150.000 Volunteers who are involved in implementing activities to achieve the Italian Red Cross 2020 Strategic Objectives, which are:
1) Safeguarding and protection of Health and life (first aid activities, blood donation, health education and Healthy lifestyle promotion, emergency services),
2) Promotion of personal development and social inclusion (activities aiming at supporting and promoting the inclusion of marginalized people, such as homeless persons, poor persons, migrant persons, elderly, disabled persons, etc.; social support in hospitals, including clown therapy and psychosocial support);
3) Disaster risk reduction (disaster preparedness and response, at national and international level; resilience promotion; psychological support activities in time of crisis; health assistance at major events; mitigation and resilience to climatic changes, etc.);
4) Dissemination of International Humanitarian Law and RC/RC Principles&Value (including international cooperation activities with other RC/RC National Societies and promotion of International Disaster Response Laws);
5) Promotion of Youth action (peer education to promote active citizenship, healthy lifestyle and a culture of non-violence and peace; prevention from addictions; road safety; raising awareness campaigns on climate change and intercultural dialogue, international cooperation and youth exchanges, etc.);
6) Organizational Capacity building (organizational development, fundraising, volunteer management, networking advocacy, projects’ monitoring, planning and evaluation, management of human resource.