Cape Verde Red Cross: A Humanitarian Pillar
The Cape Verde Red Cross, founded in 1975, is the country's first humanitarian organization. Operating throughout the national territory, it provides assistance in areas such as disaster management, health, migration and displacement, reaching around 36,000 people in 2022.
Created by decree in 1975, the Cape Verde Red Cross was the first humanitarian organization to emerge in the country. Following Cape Verde's accession to the Geneva Conventions in 1984, the institution became a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies the following year. Since then, it has been recognized by the State as an aid in the humanitarian, military and health areas.
Operating on all inhabited islands and municipalities in the country, the Cape Verdean Red Cross works on several fronts, such as disaster risk management, health and well-being, and migration and displacement. Its main objective is to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without distinction of nationality, race, sex, class, religion or political ideology.
The organization recruits, trains and raises awareness of volunteers to work in different areas, promotes the participation of children and young people in its activities and disseminates humanitarian principles. In 2022, around 36,000 people benefited from disaster response and early recovery programs.
