Unlike other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies worldwide, which are notable for their humanitarian effort, Hong Kong Red Cross is famous for blood transfusion in the eyes of Hong Kong people. This may be due to a few disasters threatening and political turmoils in the territory, also its long history of service from 1952. Interestingly, the blood transfusion service actually runs under the Hospital Authority.
In lack of need in relief services in the territory, the society runs a range of humanitarian services to care for less fortunates, such as schooling for children in hospitals, organising voluntary services in the aging communities, organising uniform groups for youths and adults, and conducting first aid courses.
In the case of disasters in neighbouring regions, the society raises funding and sends relief forces. In occasional floods in eastern China, earthquakes in China, Indian Ocean tsunami, the staff and volunteers from the Hong Kong Red Cross attended.
In the early height of incoming Vietnamese refugees, the society also set up services for them in 1980s.
1956 The first cadet unit was formed at St Francis Canossian School.
1962 Inauguration of the Princess Alexandra Red Cross Children's Residential School.
1965 Inauguration of the Hong Kong Red Cross Headquarters at Harcourt Road.
1968 The Red Cross Holiday Camp was opened at Shek Pik.
1975 Medical Equipment Loan Service was introduced.
1977 Started to offer first aid training courses to the public and the industrial workers.
1979 Assumed management of North Kai Tak Transit Centre.(Ceased in March, 1987)
1984 Opening of the Blood Transfusion Service Centre at King's Park.
1991 Hong Kong Red Cross rose over HK$144 million to provide relief for flood victims in Eastern provinces of China.
1992 The first uniformed Elderly Volunteers Unit was set up.
1997 Hong Kong Red Cross changes its affiliation as a branch of the British Red Cross Society to become a highly autonomous branch of the Red Cross Society of China.
2000 The Golden Jubilee of the Hong Kong Red Cross.
2001 The former "Youth & Welfare Department" was split into "Youth & Volunteer Department" and "Health & Care Service Department".
2002 The Red Cross Society of China Headquarters presents a ?Special Contribution Award? to the Hong Kong Red Cross in recognition of her long-term support to disaster relief and preparedness projects and other development projects on the Mainland.
2003 Prompt response to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong was made by the Hong Kong Red Cross.
Strives for a world in which people respect and protect human life and dignity, and where people are ready to give aid voluntarily to the sick, the suffering and the vulnerable, without regard to their race, belief or affiliation.
Advocates the spirit of humanity, the belief in and respect for the intrinsic value of human life, and the dignity of individuals.
Delivers impartial and quality care to protect life and health and to enhance the capacity of vulnerable people to live a safe and dignified life.
Promotes voluntary service and organize individuals to serve the cause of humanity, by providing them with the opportunities and skills to help others and to help themselves.
Supports the World Red Cross Movement; we work to enhance the network of humanitarian service and concern for human life and dignity world-wide, thereby promoting lasting peace.
Patron & Office Bearers
Patron: The Hon Donald Tsang, GBM
Vice Patron: The Hon Run Run Shaw, GBM; Mrs Betty H P Tung, JP
President: Mrs Selina Tsang
Chairman: The Hon Sir T L Yang, GBM JP (?????)
Volunteers
The society is largely managed by volunteers with some paid staff. For its development, the society organises both uniformed and non-uniformed units for volunteers of all ages. By age, the uniform groups are divided into:
Junior Units (8-12)
Youth Units (12-17)
Adult Units (above 17)
Elderly Units (50 or above)
Youth Units (YU)
Red Cross Youth Units, or RCY, as members of the International Red Cross Movement, aim at protecting life and health, serving the community and putting the spirit of humanity in action. These uniformed units are attached to secondary schools, youth centres and Hong Kong Red Cross Divisional Headquarters, and members are usually aged from 12 to 17.
The youth uniform units are notable in Hong Kong because of its widespread in secondary schools in the territory. The uniform units are educated with the spirit of Red Cross and the skills of first aid, drilling and others.
Divisional Headquarters
There are five Red Cross Divisional Headquarters located in different geographical position in Hong Kong. Two of them are located in New Terrorities, two of them in Kowloon and the rest in Hong Kong Island.
Head Office enacts a coordinator between all divisional headquarters.
Lists of Youth Units
Each headquarters hold a fraction of Youth Units. These lists are available in the intranet system of each headquarters.
Progressive Activities Scheme
Through "Progressive Activities Scheme" , youth members are nurtured stage by stage to embrace the mission of Red Cross Uniformed Groups; and to be equipped with leadership skills, health care knowledge, discipline and social service skills in order to provide a variety of quality services to the needy in the community.
Protecting life and health: Training on first aid skills, health care skills, small scale saving skills, health and hygiene education, community service and health-check skills, etc.
Serving the community: Encouraging members to participate in voluntary service to help people with different needs, including the wounded, the homeless, the poor, the sick, the discriminated and the left-out.
Enhancing friendship and mutual understanding: Through different recreational and group activities, and international exchange activities to encourage members to broaden their horizons and their social circles, to understand and accept others, and to establish friendships.
Promoting the spirit of the Red Cross: Promoting the Red Cross' spirit of humanity through lessons, games, competitions, promotion efforts and big events.
Attaining personal growth: Through marching, group life and skills training to help members put their leisure time into meaningful uses and develop them into responsible and confident citizens in the community.
Other Activities
The annual major events include:
The mass parade
First aid competition
Nursing competition
Best service project themes competition
World Red Cross Day health promotion programme
International friendship activities
Adult Volunteer Groups
Non-uniform units are named Adult Volunteer Groups. They are for members who commit less intensively, as they normally work regular day jobs as well.
References
CHAN Kai-ming, Knowledge of Red Cross (?????), 2004.
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