Red Cross 100 Years

2026 will be a very special year for the Red Cross in the Faroe Islands, as the humanitarian organisation celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The Faroese Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, with approximately 17 million volunteers in nearly every country worldwide. The Faroese Red Cross has close to 500 volunteers who carry out its mission: to help whenever the need arises.

This year has also been designated by the UN as the International Year of Volunteers. The Faroese Red Cross fully supports this, as the organisation experiences every day the difference it makes when volunteers come together to help. Voluntary work creates a ripple effect, and its positive impact can be felt both in the Faroe Islands and across the world.

The Faroese Red Cross was founded on 2 April 1926, as there was a recognised need for voluntary efforts to support people in difficult life situations particularly in the areas of health and emergency preparedness.

The organisation was established with two main objectives:

1. To provide care for the sick and injured in connection with accidents or epidemics, and to deliver emergency relief in the event of disasters.

2. To promote knowledge of care and nursing for infants and the sick at home, and to ensure that the sick and injured in wars and accidents affecting the country receive proper care and assistance.

One of the first initiatives undertaken by the organisation was the installation of lifebuoys. The first lifebuoys were installed in Tórshavn as early as 1927.

Much has changed over the past hundred years, but the need for assistance and voluntary work remains significant, and the activities of the Faroese Red Cross have grown considerably in recent years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Red Cross stood ready to assist as many people suddenly needed support. A telephone helpline was established, offering psychosocial support and practical assistance, for example with grocery shopping. Volunteers delivered food and essential supplies to residents who were unable to leave their homes. During this period, many new volunteers joined.

When the war in Ukraine broke out in the spring of 2022, and refugees sought safety in other European countries including the Faroe Islands the Faroese Red Cross once again stepped in, working in cooperation with the Faroese authorities. Volunteers welcomed the refugees in a dignified and humane manner and helped them establish themselves in Faroese society. The efforts included both practical support, such as assistance with housing and banking, and human care for people who had experienced loss and trauma. In total, the Faroe Islands received 250 refugees from Ukraine.

As mentioned, the activities of the Faroese Red Cross have expanded significantly, and the organisation now operates across many areas. These include first aid services, training in first aid and psychological first aid, food and clothing aid, visitor services, camps, and integration activities such as language cafés and Red Cross Friends. A large proportion of volunteers are also engaged in second-hand activities, which contribute significantly to funding the humanitarian work. Today, there are five Red Cross second-hand shops in the Faroe Islands three in Tórshavn, one in Vágur, and one in Klaksvík. Another shop is planned to open on Sandoy later this year.

Each year, the Faroese Red Cross organises a national fundraising campaign to support its humanitarian work both in the Faroe Islands and internationally. In this anniversary year, special efforts are being made in connection with the campaign, which will also be broadcast live on the Faroese national broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya.

For one hundred years, the Faroese Red Cross has placed people at the centre of its work. That is something worth celebrating.