New Red Cross Society to be admitted to the International Federation
16  May 2001

The Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina was today admitted as a provisional member to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This was decided unanimously at the Federation's biannual Governing Board currently meeting in Geneva. It will be the 177th National Society to become a member of the Federation.

"The establishment of a unified Red Cross Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina has had a long and difficult history. It was established at its own initiative and is therefore an important milestone in ethnic relations," said Dr Astrid Heiberg, the president of the International Federation. "This is indeed a very happy ending."

Officially established in December 2000, the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an umbrella organization composed of two entities, the Red Cross of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Red Cross of Republika Srpska. It is the first organization founded by citizens which operates throughout the country and has been hailed by the United Nations as one of the great successes of the country's post-conflict period. Jacques Klein, the UN Secretary General's Representative, has described the achievement as being as remarkable as the creation of a common flag, a common currency and a common passport.

Five members each from the Red Cross of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Red Cross of Republika Srpska provide a national leadership that includes a chair and two co-chairs, with the chairperson's position rotating among the top three every eight months.

"Only those who know what the country has been through can appreciate the significance of this," said Dr Mihat Haracic, the new organization's first chairman.

Through its entity components, the National Society is implementing a range of programmes that include health, home and community care, youth development, disaster preparedness, mine awareness, tracing and the promotion of humanitarian values. Home care alone benefits 15,000 people spread among the country's ethnic communities.

"Our job," said Dr Haracic, "is to help the vulnerable throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, strengthen the organization, prepare to recruit new members and promote the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement."

By today's decision the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina can take part in the work of the International Federation and will obtain full membership at the International Federation's forthcoming General Assembly in November.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

In Sarajevo :
Amna Cerimagic, Information officer, Mobile tel.: + 387 66 161 439

In Geneva :
Solveig Olafsdottir, Information Officer, Tel: +41 22 730 4296/ + 41 79 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.