Luxembourg Red Cross
Address:44, Boulevard Joseph II
Postal address:
Boîte postale 404
L-2014 Luxembourg
Tel: +352 450 202-1
Fax: +352 457 269
Email: siege@croix-rouge.lu
Website: www.croix-rouge.lu/
Legal Basis:
1914: Foundation of the Luxembourg RC1922: Luxembourg RCis recognised by the ICRC, and joins the League the same year1923: Luxembourg RC is recognised in law as a public-interest organisation; at the same time, the society’s statutes are adopted (last modified in 1939)
Mission:
The mission and objectives of the Luxembourg Red Cross are defined in the law of 1923, which establishes its legal status, and in its statutes. The document states that the Luxembourg RC must assist the government in evacuating and treating the wounded in time of war, while in peace-time it is responsible for preparing its services, taking steps to combat transmittable diseases, providing services for youth, and assisting victims of natural disasters or accidents. In accordance with agreements between the Luxembourg RC and the government, the authorities contribute to the operating expenses of various social services provided by the society.
Constituency:
The structure covers:38 local branches (most members are women), covering the whole country – they are administered at the local level by a committee in conjunction with the Executive Committee2 sections of first-aid ambulance drivers (most of whom are men)1 Youth Section
Leadership:
Luxembourg RC is administered by the Executive Committee, composed of members of the Management Board. Both the members of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors are volunteers, nominated by the Grand Duke. The Executive Committee establishes policy and sets the society’s objectives.
The Luxembourg RC’s Director is responsible for daily management,carried out in accordance with decisions taken by the Executive Committee.
Paid staff:
536 (100 men, 436 women) in the various sections.
Volunteers:
two at HQ and 50 working in other sections; approximately 2,000 volunteers are involved in the activities carried out by the local branches, first aid and ambulance workers, Luxembourg RC youth section.
Domestic Activities
Blood
Blood transfusion service
Active donors (2003): 12,847 (39.71% women, 60.29% men)
The mission of the blood transfusion service is to cover national blood-product requirements and to provide services associated with blood transfusion. The service offers training courses for its personnel, as well as courses for hospital and medical staff.Elderly
Home care
Home care assistance is offered in all communes, providing 177,746 para-medical services, and total 168,897 hours of aid and care.First Aid
Ambulance and first aid services
The ambulance service is operational 24 hours a day. In 2003, it provided 257 services abroad, 1,642 services in Luxembourg and was on duty at 233 cultural, sporting and other events. Luxembourg RC provided these services with the help of 5 ambulances and 2 light medical vehicles.
The first aid department has a canine section, specialised in retrieving people buried in ruins after a disaster or explosion. This department offers twice-weekly training to its first aid workers, as well as joint training with first aid-ambulance drivers. In 2003, Luxembourg RC organised 39 first aid courses and 18 refresher courses, for a total of more than 848 (591+257) people.Social Services
HIV/AIDS programme
The objectives of this programme are to defend the rights of HIV sufferers and their families, respond to their specific needs, tackle discrimination, and offer support and psychological assistance. Of the 260 persons who visited the Luxembourg RC advice centre in 2003, 156 were HIV/AIDS patients.
Volunteers play an increasingly important role in this department - 14 participate regularly in the support group and 6 offer individual help and psychological support to HIV-positive people. Due to the great demand for volunteers to assist HIV/AIDS patients and to the constant development of treatment, the Luxembourg RC (together with the organisation “Stop Aids Now”) runs courses at least once a year to provide further training for volunteers.
The programme also focuses on prevention. Volunteers help by:
Distributing leaflets and condoms at public events and in barsInstalling condom vending machines upon requestGiving presentations in schoolsRunning stands at public events to offer advice and information
Fondation Emile Mayrisch
The Emile Mayrisch Foundation – a residential and convalescent centre - provides a physiotherapy service and rooms for disabled people usually cared for by their families, so that the carers can have a break. In 2003, 33,214 days of stay at the centre were reported.
Social welfare
The social welfare department offers a wide range of services:Community social service: The service has 12 locations throughout the country where people can ask for advice and assistance, and can meet their social workers. The service facilitates access to institutions and social protection that exist in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.Dispensaries for sex-workers “DROPIN”: staffed by a nurse and a social worker, these centres provide health care and advice, as well as showers and a cafeteria where visitors can drop in for a chat.Meals on wheels: every day of the year, this service provides hot meals to sick or elderly people. In 2003, 70,464 meals were distributed.Second-hand clothes shop: located in the basement of the national HQ, in Esch/Alzette and in Ettelbruck; and staffed by volunteers, the shop offers clothes to people in vulnerable situations and sends clothes abroad for victims of disasters.
Youth
Youth section
In 2003, the Luxembourg RC had 760 youth volunteers and youth leaders. Other youth projects include: Holiday activities for young children (aged 4 to 17) in Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Spain and Hungary (975 participants in 2003)Psychological support for young people aged between 12 and 22. In 2003, 615 youth, parents, educators, teachers and social workers contacted this service.Training as youth leaders. Dissemination of IHL and Red Cross Principles5 youth centres: Steinsel, Bridel, Koerich, Steinfort and Wasserbillig.Support for refugee children
The Centre d’accueil de Colnet in Bertrange: The centre,cared for more than 20 children, and 12 young adults in 2003. Their age ranged from 3 to 18 years old. The Centre replaces the family structure no longer in place. The children are taken care of by educational staff.“Families First Luxembourg”: This is a crisis-intervention service that aims to prevent the relocation of children from families in trouble. In 2003, 19 families benefited from a crisis intervention of 6 to 8 weeks. 51 minors were involved.Home Day Centre “Kannervilla Carlo Hemmer” in Betrange: During the day children between 0 to 4 years, divided in two groups, come to the Centre. Priority is given to mono-parental or low-income families. In 2003, the centre was attended by 69 children in total.
Amount spent on international work:
1,068,175 Euro spent on international work (2003)
Membership in RCRC networks:
Climate Change CenterELSG – European Legal Support GroupENPS – European Red Cross Societies Network for Psychological SupportEPSG – European Public Support GroupERNA – European Network of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies on HIV/AIDSEuropean Reference Center on First AidPERCO – Platform for European Red Cross Co-operation on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants
Country Information
Population:
Population: 451.600
GPD per capita:GDP per capita: € 50,600
Life expectancy:
Life expectancy: 77.6 years
Infant mortality:Infant mortality rate: 5.0 ‰
Accession to the EU:Accession to the EU: 1957
