For three-quarters of a century, the Monegasque Red Cross has followed the precepts of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to promote the seven principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, volunteerism, unity and universality.
The Monegasque branch was founded in 1948 under Prince Louis II and has grown in strength and numbers over the years, but has never wavered from these core, original values.
Now under the direction of Prince Albert II, who took over after the death of his mother, Princess Grace, in 1982, the charity has continued its work well into the 21st century and its leadership met in mid-February to review a very successful 2023.
KEY FACTS AND FIGURES
At their 2023 ‘Year in Review’ meeting on 14th February, the extent of the branch’s inner workings was revealed.
The Monegasque Red Cross is made up of 77 employees and operates a network of over 700 volunteers, who represent an astounding 52 nationalities. In total, these helpers donated over 56,000 hours of time to the association and impacted the lives of an estimated 66,300 people around the world.
Of its €8 million budget last year, €2.5 million was earmarked for international use, with €1.2 million used for humanitarian efforts and €1.3 million for relief funding. The rest of the budget went toward a variety of local activities that include youth programmes, social services, first aid missions and the like.
Some 5,000 people received first aid training through the Monaco Red Cross in 2023. Indeed, the charity facilitates the first aid training of all children aged 12 and up in the Principality.
The charity’s environmentally-minded efforts were also noted at the meeting, such as the support provided to the running of Monacollecte, European Waste Reduction Week and the second-hand clothing collections held in collaboration with the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace.
THE FUTURE
Never resting on their laurels, the board at the Monegasque Red Cross used the annual review session to lay out some plans for the future, including the goals of improving access to the volunteer process and expanding its network of volunteers further.
The association is set to be very visible in 2024, with first aiders expected to be on hand at the Monaco Grand Prix in May and the Paris Olympic Games and Tour de France later in the summer.
The 75th edition of the Red Cross Gala is also set to be held this year, an event that is one of the Principality’s most beloved and well-attended of the summer social season.
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Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Monaco Communications Department