Two new Red Cross societies admitted to the Federation
7 November 2001

The Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Red Cross Society of the Republic of Moldova were admitted today as a full members to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This was decided unanimously at the Federation's General Assembly currently meeting in Geneva.

"Both of these countries are shining examples of how our Movement unites, and brings peace and cooperation. After this General Assembly, our International Federation will count 178 National Societies, and eight more are Societies in formation", said Dr Astrid Heiberg, the president of the International Federation.

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. The National Society implements programmes that include health, home and community care, youth development, disaster preparedness, mine awareness, tracing and the promotion of humanitarian values.

Ms. Adela Skaro, current chairman of the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, voiced her Society's joy at being admitted as a member to the Federation. She reiterated the National Society's commitment to help the most vulnerable and expressed the hope that other organizations in the country would follow suit to help build a new civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Red Cross Society of Moldova was established in 1924, within the structure of the Red Cross of the Soviet Union. It was officially recognized by the ICRC on October 24, 2001. It currently has some 450 active volunteers and 170,000 paying members. Its main activities include visiting nurses programmes and health care for the elderly and the destitute, as well as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS prevention. It also distributes relief items to the most vulnerable and carries out disaster preparedness training at the community level.

Mrs Larisa Byrca, President of the Red Cross Society of Moldova expressed "great joy and emotion" on behalf of her National Society. She said recognition was an "historical event for the entire population who put hope in the action of the National Society" and added the Red Cross of Moldova would pursue its efforts to extend its humanitarian activities.

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

Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4346/ + 41 79 217 3345

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.