The 27th Congress of the Belarus Red Cross has opened in Minsk, BelTA has learned.
The key event of the country’s leading humanitarian organization brought together delegates from across the nation, government officials, and international partners. The agenda features the 2027–2031 strategy, a review of the past five years of work, and an update of the organization’s mission. The congress participants will also review and adopt amendments to the charter.Secretary General of the Belarus Red Cross Dmitry Shevtsov noted that while the organization had done a great deal of work, its development was ongoing. “The past five years have brought constant challenges for the Belarus Red Cross, including the migrant crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border and our work with foreign citizens – particularly those from Ukraine who come to stay and build their future lives in Belarus,” he said.
The Belarus Red Cross covers a wide range of support areas. “We assist low-income individuals, people with disabilities, children in state care, children with disabilities, and those in difficult life situations. We also care for elderly people living alone. They, too, must feel the care of not only the state but also society. The Belarus Red Cross serves as a reliable guarantor of this,” Dmitry Shevtsov emphasized.
The Belarus Red Cross also trains volunteers in first aid through masterclasses and specialized courses. “It is difficult to predict what situations we might find ourselves in. Therefore, our medical and social service plays an invaluable role. We are a reliable guarantor and helper for the Labor and Social Protection Ministry, the Healthcare Ministry, and the Emergencies Ministry. The number of territories we cover is growing – today it spans more than 80 districts. We will develop every area of our work to help the state achieve its social goals,” the Belarus Red Cross secretary general said.The Belarus Red Cross actively cooperates with the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, noted that deeds of mercy are one of the most vital components of the church’s mission.
“The Church calls on us to be merciful and compassionate toward our neighbors. By walking this life path, a person also improves themselves. It is very important for us to join forces. The major projects carried out by the Belarus Red Cross can be complemented by the Church, while at the same time, the spiritual component can be strengthened,” he said.
Chairwoman of the Vitebsk regional branch of the Belarus Red Cross Galina Zhelanova has participated in five BRC congresses.“I can see the positive momentum our organization is gaining. Our mission is to ensure that no one is left alone with their misfortune. That is exactly what Belarus Red Cross programs are aimed at. We have volunteers who work in emergency situations. For instance, a fire once broke out at the Belarus shopping mall in Vitebsk. Our team arrived and assisted the rescue workers. It is wonderful that we have such programs and that we are focusing on future development,” the head of the regional branch said.She is also confident that each regional organization has its own unique strength. “In our region, for example, the social service contracting system is very well developed. We have many elderly citizens in the province. We have been working under social contracting since 2014 in cooperation with our committee on labor, employment, and social protection. This is quite challenging work. We assist people with various diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis, and many others,” Galina Zhelanova said.According to Chairwoman of the Minsk branch of the Belarus Red Cross Romania Zorina, the volunteer movement brings together a significant portion of the capital’s residents. “These are caring people of all ages. Around 80% of them are youth, but there are also older adults and working-age adults. In recent years, volunteering has become one of the organization’s key pillars. People come to us with their own initiatives and a desire to help, and they actively fulfill themselves. We have begun cooperating heavily with the healthcare and social protection systems, and we are developing volunteer groups in educational institutions. Our volunteer initiation ceremony has become a celebration that symbolizes the humanism of our society,” she said.
