160 Years of the Red Cross in Slovenia

<p>​</p><p><strong>ANNIVERSARIES</strong></p><p>&#160;</p><p><strong>160 years of the Red Cross in Slovenia</strong></p><p>&#160;</p><p style="text-align&#58;justify;">The Slovenian Red Cross is marking <strong>160 years of activity in Slovenia</strong> this year. Its origins date back to <strong>1866</strong>, when the Women's Association for the Care of Wounded and Sick Soldiers was established in Carniola, then a crown land of the Austrian Empire.<strong> </strong>In 1902 the Women's Association merged with the Provincial Patriotic Relief Association for Men. The unified association operated as part of the Austro-Hungarian Red Cross Society until the end of the First World War. The Slovenian Red Cross was re-established on 18 June 1944 in Gradac, Bela Krajina (south-eastern Slovenia) through the convening of a founding assembly and began operating immediately.</p><p>&#160;</p><p style="text-align&#58;justify;">Today the Slovenian Red Cross consists of <strong>56 regional associations</strong>. <strong>More than 15,000 volunteers</strong> are active under its umbrella, carrying out <strong>half a million volunteer hours</strong> each year. Each year it provides various forms of assistance and support to 102,000 people. With the help of donors, it enables <strong>2,000 children and older people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to enjoy free holidays</strong> each year. The “<strong>Be Part of the Team</strong>&quot; campaign raises awareness of the <strong>importance of blood donation</strong>, with <strong>400 mobile blood donation drives</strong> organised each year in cooperation with regional associations.<strong> </strong>It provides first aid education, training and skills development for the general public. It helps migrants and is the main support to public authorities in the event of emergencies and disasters.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>&#160;</strong></p><p>It actively promotes empathy and solidarity and <strong>upholds humanitarian values</strong>. </p><p>&#160;</p><p>Slovenian Red Cross​<br></p><p><br></p>