History

Evidence of Red Cross activity in the country has been recorded since 1914, and a Branch of the British Red Cross was founded in 1950. After Belize became an independent nation in 1981, the Belize Red Cross Society Act established the Society on 18th August 1983. The following year it was recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and admitted to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as a National Society with all the rights and responsibilities therein accorded.

Mandate

As well as the 1983 Act of Parliament the Belize Red Cross’s legal basis includes a Constitution which was revised and approved by the Central Committee in early 2006, and was submitted to the General Assembly and approved on July 1, 2006

Mission

The Belize Red Cross guided by the 7 Fundamental Principles of the Movement
serves the people of Belize, especially those most vulnerable,
regardless of political affiliation, religious beliefs, race, colour, creed, gender or nationality

Structure

The Belize Red Cross has a Headquarters (HQ) in Belize City and 8 Branches throughout the 6 administrative Districts of the country. The highest level is the General Assembly which elects the Central Committee, which in turn coordinates with management. The National Society Self Assessment 2004  states that there was a total of 1200 volunteers in the Society (900 of them women), and that 330 were also supporting members.