The Red Cross of Montenegro is an independent and voluntary humanitarian organisation which operates based on the fundamental principles and Mission of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Cross of Montenegro (hereinafter Red Cross) enjoys the special protection and assistance of the Republic of Montenegro and performs affairs of public interest.

The Red Cross has special responsibilities in case of armed conflict, epidemics, ecological and other natural disasters. In case of armed conflicts the Red Cross of Montenegro performs its responsibilities in accordance with the Geneva Conventions on the protection of victims of war, the Additional Protocols and recommendations (conclusions) of the International Conferences of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

The Red Cross performs especially the following activities:

• Preventing and alleviating human suffering, especially those caused by natural, ecological and other disasters.
• Participation in activities for protection of life and health and in education of the population.
• Initiating and enhancing solidarity towards every person who needs assistance and protection, mutual assistance, social assistance to the population and maintaining the dignity of the vulnerable person…

The Montenegro Red Cross is organised in 21 local branches of Red Cross and that way it provides, in organisational sense, a presence on the whole territory of the State of Montenegro, and each local branch is made of network of basic organisational forms of Red Cross.

Historical overview

Montenegro Red Cross is the first organisation on the Balkans and it is among the oldest National Societies of Red Cross in the World. It has been created on 15 August 1875 on Cetinje, when Board for help to vulnerable people from Herzegovina, as precursor of Montenegro Red Cross, founded for acceptance and accommodation of refugees who came to the principality of Montenegro due to Bosnian-Herzegovina revolt.

The same year, the Board grew into a Montenegrin Society of Red Cross. Ratifying Geneva Conventions of wounded, In November 1875, Montenegro became 22nd member of International organisation of Red Cross.

During 130 years of existence, the Montenegro Red Cross acted as support auxiliary organ to the State, in area of humanitarian sphere, proved in being factor in struggle for human dignity, for safer social position of poor, for peaceful life of single, old, sick and vulnerable people.

Exhausting exam of human and responsible relation in acceptance of refugees and IDPs from Ex Yugoslavia, 22% in regard to total number of local population in 1999, has been passed.

Visible results are achieved in area of health, social activities, disaster response and management, in area of first aid, prevention of infective diseases, voluntary blood donation, network of well trained volunteers for response to great disasters, trained lifeguards meaning safety and security on beaches.

Montenegro Red Cross will continue to work on improvement of services for people as also on capacity building in order to be as reliable partner as possible to all institutions and organisations.