Rotes Kreuz, Österreichisches#

Red Cross, Austrian: successor to the "Patriotischer Hilfsverein" (Patriotic Relief Organization), which was founded in 1859 and at first only existed during the war years of 1859, 1864 and 1866 but became a permanent organization in 1867; in pursuance of the First Geneva Convention on the Protection of the Wounded, Prisoners of War and Civilian Persons in Time of War (joined by Austria in 1866) this organization was granted the right to bear the sign of the Red Cross on the battle field. Based on foreign models Austrian relief societies were united to form the Austrian Society of the Red Cross ("Oesterreichische Gesellschaft vom Roten Kreuz") in 1866. This relief society rendered assistance in case of natural disasters and other emergencies in Austria and abroad.

During the First World War the Red Cross cared for war victims and particularly supported the cause of prisoners of war. In the period between the First and Second World Wars the activities of the Red Cross included first aid and the training of nurses. After the Anschluss in 1938 the Austrian Red Cross was incorporated into the German Red Cross. At the same time, the rescue squads, which had formerly operated under the aegis of the fire brigades, were incorporated into the Red Cross, an arrangement which continued after the end of the war.

After 1945 Red Cross societies were established in all the federal provinces and finally reunited in the newly founded Austrian Society of the Red Cross in 1946. The Austrian Society of the Red Cross consists of nine provincial affiliates with 143 district agencies and 930 local agencies (1999); more than 1,911 rescue vehicles in 448 villages covered a distance of over 75 million kilometres and came to the rescue of 2 million people (1999). In the same year, the Red Cross counted 38,299 volunteers, 4,119 employees and 2,153 persons carrying out alternative service. Members of the Red Cross receive their training in the central training facility in Vienna and in facilities in the provinces.

Military hospitals, emergency aid equipment and numerous other relief supplies for emergencies in Austria and abroad have been provided by the provincial agencies of the Red Cross. Apart from rescue services and the transportation of injured and sick persons, the Red Cross is particularly concerned with voluntary Blood Donation, the search for missing persons, health and social services (home care, "meals on wheels", etc.), international emergency relief, development aid co-operation and spreading international humanitarian law. In the district agencies of the Red Cross particular emphasis is placed on youth programmes. In schools, charitable and social activities are provided for by the Youth Red Cross, Austrian. The Austrian Red Cross is part of the International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

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