Who we are

1. Background & History

2. Our Profile
3. Where we work
4. Fundamental Priciples
5. Governance
6. Strategic Plan
7. Recognition & Award
1. Medals
2. Trophies
3. Certificate
4. Letters

Our Profile
Food security & disaster preparedness/response
Drought has been the main hazard affecting Ethiopians for a long period of time. This
results in food insecurity affecting 5 to 6 million people each year. Seasonal flooding is
another issue which affects hundreds of thousands of people living in the middle and
lower courses of the Awash Wabi Shebelle, Genale, Baro and Omo rivers as well as
around Lake Tana in the Amhara region. The 2006 flooding was some of the worst
flooding seen in the Horn of Africa in 50 years.
Apart from the natural causes of disaster, heavy human, livestock and agricultural
pressure on land has contributed to the degradation of the environment leading to
reduced soil fertility and land productivity.

A change in climatic conditions as a result of environmental degradation has proven to

have a humanitarian impact on food security, access to clean water, increased
vulnerability to water-borne diseases and shelter. Hence, the ERCS realizes the
necessity and importance of disaster preparedness and response in times of natural
catastrophes. Over the years, the ERCS has established a National Disaster Response
Team (NDRT) and Branch Disaster Response Team (BDRT) in order to respond to
emergencies as fast as possible. In terms of disaster preparedness activities, prepositioning of non-food items by the ERCS in strategically selected areas is underway.
Community based health first aid (CBHFA)
The ERCS provides first-aid training in schools, factories, private companies,
governmental and non-governmental organizations at the community level. The training
integrates routine first aid service with other promotional and educational health
activities by involving volunteers from the community. Every year, 2,700 volunteers are
being trained on CBFA all over the country.
Ambulance service
This programme started in 1952 but was limited to only major towns such as Addis
Ababa and Harar. Now, it is the only organization providing nationwide 24-hour free
ambulance service to 63 towns.
Blood bank
This programme was established in 1969 with the assistance of the Israeli government.
From 1969?1980, the programme used to serve the hospitals in Addis Ababa only.
Subsequently from 1986?1988, with the help of the Finnish Red Cross, a pilot project
was launched in three phases. In 2001, with the cooperation of the Italian government,
improvement on transfusion techniques was implemented to control the spread of
HIV/AIDS through blood transfusion.

There is one central blood bank in Addis Ababa and 11 blood banks in Gonder, Mekele,
Bahirdar, Dessie, Jimma, Arbaminch, Yirgalem, Harar, Dire Dawa, Nazareth and Jijiga.
It is estimated that the demand of blood and blood products of the country is 76,000
units annually. However, the supply of blood still falls short of the estimated demand.
The ERCS has increased its commitment to collect more blood supply through mobile
blood donation drive in schools, military and police stations, factories and other public
places in order to increase the level of voluntary blood donation. Hence, it is crucial that
the general public continues to donate blood voluntarily at the ERCS blood bank
branches in order to fulfill the demand of safe blood in the country.
June 14 has been declared by the WHO as the ?World Blood Donor Day? to recognize
and thank the millions of altruistic people around the world who donate their blood on a
voluntary basis to help save the lives and improve the health of others.
Essential Drugs Program (EDP)
This program was established in 1989 with the aim to provide essential drugs of good
quality at affordable prices to the general population through the establishment of
pharmacies and drug stores at different selected parts of the country. So far, the
program has benefited more than 3.5 million people. The number of pharmacies has
increased from 28 in 2001 to 41 in 2007. Some selected EDP outlets are also selling
anti-retroviral treatment (ART) drugs at cost recovery basis only.
The Danish Red Cross (DRC) through funding from DANIDA used to provide financial
and technical assistance to this program until recently.
Water and Sanitation (Watsan)
This program was established in 1987. The water and sanitation situation in this country
is the major contributing factors to the existing burden of communicative diseases. On
top of that, in the event of a disaster, it often affects the victims? access to safe and

clean drinking water due to destruction of wells, springs and other water sources or just
merely dry spells due to drought.
Watsan activities include the rehabilitation and construction of hand dug wells, ponds,
earth dams and protection of springs. Bore holes are sometimes sunk in areas where
the water table is very low and where large number of population has to be served.
Ventilated and improved communal pit latrines are built in crowded areas and in
surroundings where the facilities are lacking. San plats are produced with the
participation of beneficiaries and distributed to rural households within the project area
so as to improve environmental hygiene.
Training on Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) is conducted
in all areas where Watsan infrastructures are put in place. This is to ensure the upkeep
and sustainability of the facilities.
HIV/AIDS prevention and control
This program was established in 1998 in only two branches with the assistance of the
Danish Red Cross. In 2007, the program now covers 16 branches; Addis Ababa, Jimma,
East Hararghe, North Shoa/Debre Berhan, Somali, Tigray, North Gonder, West Gojjam,
East Wollega, Illubabor, Gamo Gofa, Wolayta, South West Shoa, Sidama, East Shoa
and Afar. The programme focuses on peer education in schools, sensitization through
community conversation, advocacy against stigmatization and discrimination,
community home based care in support of PLWHA and orphans. The ERCS works in
partnership with the Danish Red Cross, the British Red Cross and the Netherlands Red
Cross. World AIDS Day is commemorated on 1 December annually.
Humanitarian values
Ethiopia has ratified all four Geneva Conventions and two of its Additional Optional
Protocols. Ethiopia has a legal obligation to observe and respect the Geneva
Conventions and its Additional Optional Protocol I and II under International
Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The ERCS, as a member of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, plays the
main role of disseminating humanitarian values (fundamental principles of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the roles and mandates of the ERCS and the IHL)
to the public at large. Since 1985, with the support of the ICRC, the ERCS has carried
out dissemination program to government officials, members of the armed forces,
police, prison guards and the general public.