Our VISION
To be the premier humanitarian organization in Liberia noted for responding to humanitarian crises with a reputation for transparency and accountability.
Our Mission
To respond to the needs of vulnerable people affected by emergencies, disasters, ill-health and contextual social issues at all times and to treat them with dignity and without discrimination.
Our History
The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) was first established as Voluntary Relief Committee (VRC) at the end of World War I in January 1919. It was the late President of Liberia, Daniel E. Howard who was moved with compassion about the suffering of people, brought on by the war, and constituted the Committee. The VRC was mandated to raise funds to assist war victims and also help the medical service of the Armed Forces of Liberia and to support the government in its social welfare services.
In order to be recognized by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the National Legislature of Liberia passed a joint resolution to give the VRC a legal status in 1922 and thereafter it was renamed as the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS). Not much was recorded about the LNRCS after the war until in 1949 when it was reactivated by the late president William VS Tubman and given additional responsibilities as an auxiliary to the public authorities, supporting the health and social welfare services and responding to disasters and other emergencies in the country.
The LNRCS was then recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and admitted as a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 1959. The Act creating the LNRCS was also reaffirmed and approved on August 21, 2008. Today, the LNRCS is the single largest voluntary humanitarian organization and an auxiliary to the public authorities. The LNRCS is neutral and independent rendering impartial humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people before, during and after emergency.
The LNRCS continues to demonstrate its humanitarian actions and express solidarity in the midst of despair, offering hope and support to save lives, building community resilience and meeting emergency needs. The work of the LNRCS is being made possible through voluntary action of its volunteers and contributions from partners in making the difference in communities and empowering vulnerable people and reducing human suffering
For over one hundred years, the Red Cross has been in existence in Liberia, demonstrating its humanitarian actions, offering support and expressing solidarity in the midst of despair.
The Liberian Red Cross has always been here saving lives, bringing hope and building community resilience whenever people are in crisis, after a natural disaster, during a protracted conflict, or in times of famine or disease. The LNRCS has a unique mission which is to respond to the vulnerable people affected by emergencies, disasters, ill-health and contextual social issues at all times and to treat them with dignity and without discrimination and, with a vision to becoming Liberia’s premier humanitarian organization, noted for responding to humanitarian crisis with a reputation for transparency and accountability.
The LNRCS Headquarters is located on 107 Lynch Street in Central Monrovia, adjacent to the Ministry Of Public Works, and the LNRCS is also present in all 15 counties in Liberia, and in 92 districts or branches across Liberia working in communities through its network of over 3,500 volunteers with over 5,000 members. It operates programs including Disaster Management (DM), Health and wellbeing, and Protection, Gender, and Inclusion while building Community resilience and promoting climate Change Adaptation. These programs provide humanitarian services such as providing disaster relief assistance, restoring access to safe drinking water, promoting humanitarian values and dignities, protection, Gender and inclusion, community empowerment, health care delivery, and rebuilding the lives of individuals and families affected by disasters and health emergency in order to gain back their hopes.
The work of the Red Cross is made possible through voluntary contributions from institutions and individuals like you therefore, the Red Cross needs you today. The Liberian Red Cross is part of the solutions in Liberia. It is a member of the of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
NATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES
National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field. The auxiliary role of National Societies is a defining characteristic that distinguishes us from NGOs, the UN, other humanitarian actors and the State. In fact, the auxiliary role means the government has an obligation to collaborate with the NS, as well as an obligation to support the NS and respect its independence.
What is important to remember is that the auxiliary role describes a balanced relationship between a National Society and its government, with mutually agreed upon roles and responsibilities. The auxiliary role is a part of the legal foundation of every recognized National Society; it is included in the domestic law of the country, often called the Red Cross or Red Crescent law or act.
The National Societies form the basic units and constitute a vital force of the RCRC Movement. They provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes, and assistance to people affected by war, disaster and other emergencies. They carryout other activities mandated by their government which are inline with the fundamental principles and its humanitarian objectives.
Core Values
The LNRCS and its members and volunteers as well as those who are associated with the organization subscribe to the core values mentioned.
