The Hellenic Red Cross (HRC), was founded in 1877 and it is the largest humanitarian organization in Greece, supporting the state in times of war and peace. From the moment of its establishment, it was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and today it is part of the "family" of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In its long history, it remains steadfastly committed to international humanitarian principles and to the solidarity voluntary offer of help to fellow human beings.
In cooperation with other institutional partners, governmental and non-governmental , the Hellenic Red Cross stands by every person, family or group that faces difficulties, without placing racial, ethnic, religious and economic or social status limits in its action. At the same time, whenever there is a need abroad, the Hellenic Red Cross is responding in cooperation with the National Societies of other countries, to send international aid.
The Hellenic Red Cross provides free of charge, Primary Health Care services, Psychosocial Support, Interpreting- Health Mediation services and responds to emergencies due to natural disasters, wildfires, or health crises, with rescue services, first aid provision, pre-hospital care , provision of mental health first aid. The HRC operates three (3) Educational Health Stations and one(1) Mobile Health Team in Attica, three (3) "Home Nursing" Dpts in Athens, Thessaloniki & Patra, Nursing and Social Services throughout Greece and the Accompanied Referral Program (ACCREF), in order to support migrants' communication with the health professionals ,during their regular medical appointment at the public hospitals.
Additionally, the Hellenic Red Cross implements throughout Greece, Training Programs on "Health Education & HygienePromotion", Psychosocial Support and Counseling Programs for people with social difficulties, Community programs for the elderly and disabled people,(an Open Center of Care for the elderly and two “Home Assistance” programs in Athens), temporary accommodation programs for asylum seekers and unaccompanied migrant children by operating three (3) Shelters for unaccompanied migrant children in Volos, Athens and Kalavryta. Moreover, the HRC implements an Integration Program by operating the “Multifunctional Centre for Social Support and Integration of Refugees” in Athens, as well as the "Restoring Family Links" Program - RFL
The Hellenic Red Cross following the RC/RC Movement Policy on "Protection,Gender & Inclusion", provides services to everyone, with priority mainly to vulnerable population groups, such as: elderly, refugees, migrants regardless of legal status, asylum seekers, people without an active social security number, people in homelessness, long-term unemployed, single-parent and multi-member families, people with chronic diseases and/or mental health disorders, Roma communities, etc.
In addition to the professional human resources at its disposal, the Hellenic Red Cross, mobilizes for its humanitarian work in Attica and in 86 Regional Departments and 10 Committees, more than 12,000 volunteers from the Health Sector, the Social Welfare Sector and the Volunteer Samaritans Sector - Rescuers and Lifeguards.
