The Davao City Chapter of the Philippine Red Cross is one of the pioneering chapters established in the country when the national humanitarian society was created in 1947 by virtue of Republic Act No. 95, which was repealed and superseded later in 2009 by Republic Act. As a voluntary, independent and autonomous nongovernmental society auxiliary to the Philippine government in the humanitarian fiel
d, it is mandated to provide humanitarian relief and assistance in times of peace and armed conflict and to assist authorities in discharging the obligations set forth in the Geneva Conventions and the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which was founded by Henri Dunant in 1863, the Philippine Red Cross, along with its chapters, are guided by the Movementโs principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality. Being a national voluntary society, the Philippine Red Cross is financed primarily by contributions obtained through solicitation campaigns and fund-raising activities held throughout the year. PRC provides six major services, namely Blood Services, Disaster Management Services, Safety Services, Health Services, Welfare Services, and Red Cross Youth. Blood Services involve non-remunerated voluntary donor recruitment and retention, blood collection, testing, storage, and distribution to ensure that safe blood is readily available to patients who need it. Disaster Management Services promote awareness and competencies on disaster preparedness and response to help communities reduce disaster risks and their impact and thus, achieve resiliency. The Red Crossโ Safety Services cover a broad range of activities such as ambulance and rescue services as well as training programs in first aid, CPR, swimming, lifesaving and water safety, EMS, and technical rescue. Health Services promote disease prevention through community-based health education campaign and related activities, including responses to public health emergencies. Welfare Services on the other hand offers myriad activities that promotes awareness and uplifts psychosocial well-being with regard to critical stress and traumatic events. It also spearheads relief efforts through hot meals distribution during disasters. The Red Cross Youth is a youth development program that inculcates humanitarian values in young Red Cross members and mold them into responsible youth leaders.
