Hong Kong Red Cross
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Red Cross is the national Red Cross society of Hong Kong
as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
. It was established officially on 12 July 1950 as a branch of the British Red Cross Society in Hong Kong
. Since 1 July 1997, upon the transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty to the People's Republic of China
, the Hong Kong Red Cross has changed its affiliation to become a special branch of the Red Cross Society of China
, but remains autonomous from it.
Unlike other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies worldwide, which are notable for their humanitarian effort, Hong Kong Red Cross is better known for blood transfusion
in Hong Kong. This may be due to a few disasters threatening and political turmoils in the territory, also its long history of service from 1952. The blood transfusion service 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 the underprivileged, 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 flood
s in eastern China
, earthquake
s 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.
, 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.
Head Office enacts a coordinator between all divisional headquarters.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
. It was established officially on 12 July 1950 as a branch of the British Red Cross Society in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Since 1 July 1997, upon the transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty to the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, the Hong Kong Red Cross has changed its affiliation to become a special branch of the Red Cross Society of China
Red Cross Society of China
The Red Cross Society of China is the national Red Cross Society in the People's Republic of China.-Origins and history before 1949:...
, but remains autonomous from it.
Unlike other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies worldwide, which are notable for their humanitarian effort, Hong Kong Red Cross is better known for blood transfusion
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...
in Hong Kong. This may be due to a few disasters threatening and political turmoils in the territory, also its long history of service from 1952. The blood transfusion service runs under the Hospital Authority
Hospital Authority
The Hospital Authority is a statutory body managing all the public hospitals and institutes in Hong Kong. It is managed by the Hospital Authority Board and is under the monitor of the Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong Government. Its chairman is Mr...
.
In lack of need in relief services in the territory, the society runs a range of humanitarian services to care for the underprivileged, 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 flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s in eastern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
s in China, Indian Ocean tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
, the staff and volunteers from the Hong Kong Red Cross attended. In the early height of incoming Vietnamese refugees
Boat people
Boat people is a term that usually refers to refugees, illegal immigrants or asylum seekers who emigrate in numbers in boats that are sometimes old and crudely made...
, the society also set up services for them in 1980s.
History
- On 12 July 1950, the Hong Kong Red Cross was established as a branch of the British Red Cross Society, in the same year, the first group of lady volunteers was formed. It started to provide blood collection service in 1952, established its first hospital school in 1954 and formed its first cadet unit at St Francis Canossian School in 1956.
- 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 PikShek PikShek Pik is an area located along the southwestern coast of Lantau Island, Hong Kong. When the Shek Pik Reservoir was built, villages at Shek Pik were demolished and the villagers were relocated to other parts of Lantau Island and to Tsuen Wan...
, Lantau IslandLantau IslandLantau Island , based on the old local name of Lantau Peak , is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong...
.
- 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 People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaChina , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
- 1992 The first uniformed Elderly Volunteers Unit was set up.
- In 1997, the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to The People's Republic of China (PRC) on 1 July 1997, but Hong Kong Red Cross' autonomy remained unchanged. Thirteen years previous to Hong Kong's sovereignty transferTransfer of the sovereignty of Hong KongThe transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, referred to as ‘the Return’ or ‘the Reunification’ by the Chinese and ‘the Handover’ by others, took place on 1 July 1997...
, the UK and the PRC had reached an agreement on the future of Hong Kong and embodied the agreement by signing the Sino-British Joint DeclarationSino-British Joint DeclarationThe Sino-British Joint Declaration, formally known as the Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong, was signed by the Prime Ministers, Zhao Ziyang and Margaret...
. Under the framework of the declaration, Humanitarian aid activity is part of the way of life in Hong Kong, and can be preserved for fifty years. With humanitarian aid activity being protected under this declaration, Hong Kong Red Cross remains a full national member of International Red Cross and Red Crescent MovementInternational Red Cross and Red Crescent MovementThe International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
today.
- 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.
- 2006 The Golden Jubilee of Red Cross Youth, Hong Kong.
Mission and Vision
- 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 worldwide, thereby promoting lasting peace.
Patron & Office Bearers
- Patron: Sir Donald Tsang
- Vice Patron: Sir Run Run Shaw; Betty H P Tung
- President: Mrs Selina Tsang
- Chairman: Sir Yang Ti-liang
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
Red Cross Youth Units, or RCY, as members of the International Red Cross MovementInternational Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
, 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
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
, drilling
Marching
See also: Loaded marchMarching refers to the organized, uniformed, steady and rhythmic walking forward, usually associated with military troops.Marching is often performed to march music, and often associated with military parades....
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