The Russian Red Cross (the RRC) is the oldest humanitarian organization in Russia providing a range of humanitarian services including health care and social programs, blood and bone marrow donation, assistance to people affected by emergencies and refugees. The RRC is currently expanding its first aid trainings program and enhancing support schemes for those in need, including families of mobilized reservists.
Since February 2022, the Russian Red Cross has been working around the clock to help families and communities impacted by the humanitarian crisis, psychosocial support being one the key elements of the RRC effort. The assistance of professional psychologists is available in the form of phone, text, face-to-face sessions online and in person, and peer support groups.
Psychosocial support is regarded by the RRC as an essential form of assistance that provides those in need with the feeling of not being left alone in extreme circumstances. This attitude is directly in line with the principles of the Russian Red Cross and the International Movement as a whole. Since the announcement of partial mobilization, the RRC psychosocial support program was extended to the general population, including families of mobilized reservists and the reservists themselves.
The RRC psychosocial program is supported by the professional community of Russian psychologists. The RRC working group on psychosocial support first meeting on Monday, 24th of October was joined by representatives of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Russian Ministry of Education, the Russian Academy of Education, the EMERCOM Centre for Emergency Psychological Aid and other professional institutions.
In its humanitarian work the RRC sides with those in need. When it comes to human suffering, it is extremely important not to draw a line between one person and another or sort people into categories ‘deserving’ or ‘not deserving’ to be helped.
Within the framework of providing psychosocial support the Russian Red Cross also receives requests for other types of assistance. This is especially true for families with children where one the parents has been mobilized. In order to provide additional assistance to such families an appeal was launched and a fundraiser campaign was opened in September. The funds will be used for humanitarian assistance provided in the form of food and hygiene parcels based on social vulnerability criteria.
No RRC funds will be used to purchase military equipment or dual-use items for mobilized citizens and military personnel.
The Russian Red Cross also carries out educational events and trainings for professional psychologists who work with people experiencing grief or loss of their loved ones, thus enabling psychologists to assist people in adapting to difficult life situations.
In keeping with its mission to alleviate and prevent human suffering and the historical principle of Inter arma caritas (“Mercy on the battlefield”), the Russian Red Cross has launched first aid training courses for mobilized reservists. The courses are aimed at providing reservists with the skills needed to stop bleeding, treat wounds and provide first aid in case of burns. The training will enable people to act competently in extraordinary situations and help victims who may happen to be nearby.
The Russian Red Cross as a National Society is guided in its activities by the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which means that teams carry out lifesaving work in a neutral, independent and impartial way.
Historically many Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have cooperated with medical services of their countries’ armed forces, provided medical care to wounded members of the military, as well as civilians caught in armed conflicts. In addition, they also help families cope with the absence of their loved ones who are in the military and keep in touch with them.
