!!!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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

!Publications
Das Rote Kreuz, quarterly publication.

!Literature
H. Hang, Menschlichkeit fuer alle. Die Weltbewegung des 
Roten Kreuzes und des Roten Halbmonds, 1993.

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rettungsdienst


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