The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established by a government decree on 8 July 1935 in the aftermath of the second Italian aggression over Ethiopia. ERCS began by providing humanitarian services to wounded soldiers and civilian victims. That same year on 25 September 1935, ERCS was officially recognized as the 48th member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

 

ERCS is auxiliary to the government and yet it is an independent humanitarian organization. It was established and recognized by law through a National Charter adopted in 31 October 1947. The Charter has undergone various parliamentary revisions, the last being in 1999. The current Charter was endorsed by the Parliament in January 2018.

  

ERCS Strategic Objectives

  

1- Save lives, protect livelihood and contribute to community resilience;

 

2- Promote a culture of non-violence and peace;

 

3- Enhance membership and volunteer management;

 

4- Ensure financial self-reliance and optimize resource utilization;

 

5- Pursue humanitarian diplomacy and enhance visibility and image building;

 

6- Capacity building of HQ and Branches;

 

7- Partnership development;

  

ERCS Core Values

  

Care – we care about the plight of affected and vulnerable people.

 

Learning – we believe in continuous learning and innovation.

 

Sensitive – we are sensitive to time, gender, disabilities, and environment.

 

Solidarity – we collaborate with movement and non-movement partners to serve humanity.

 

Integrity – we walk the talk and strive to be trustworthy.