Description of organisation

The Latvian Red Cross (LatRC) is a non-governmental organization of members, stuff and volunteers whose activities cover the entire territory of Latvia. In each region, there is an LatRC committee with branches, so the organization is able to provide assistance after opportunities closer to the people's places of residence. LatRC is one of the oldest public organizations in Latvia (founded by 1918), which is constantly developing and improving its operations and services offered, mostly the most vulnerable groups in society in crisis.

The main activities:
- to promote international humanitarian law, the basic principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
- be prepared to respond to emergencies and crisis situations by providing assistance to victims, training
assistance and to provide first aid for public events;
- to improve public awareness of a healthy lifestyle, to develop and improve LatRC assistance in the social and health field;
- to ensure the work of the LatRC search service;
- to ensure quality leisure time for young people;
- to stimulate young people's interest in volunteering;
- implementation of integration projects, work for various groups of society exposed to discrimination and violence
(including with migrants, refugees, asylum seekers);
- to implement training, projects, measures to ensure informing the public about important social
issues, their causes, and consequences.
LatRC has accumulated many years of experience in working with population groups at risk of social exclusion.

The Latvian Red Cross Youth (LatRCY) is a department of Latvian Red Cross (LatRC), it unites young people who are members of the LatRC and volunteers aged 13 to ~ 30.
LatRCY goals are:
-to support youth initiatives and ideas,
-to promote involvement in the non-formal education and popularization of it,
- to motivate young people to use their free time usefully,
- to implement humanitarian work for the benefit of society.

In an organization, young people can become members, volunteers, employees and take part in one or more activities in different regions of Latvia.
There are 5 programs:
1. first aid;
2. social integration;
3. health promotion and responsibility for a sustainable environment;
4. reduction of violence and discrimination;
5. Promotion of Red Cross ideas, international, regional cooperation.