Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, the President of the Bhutan Red Cross Society, graced the Foundation Day celebration of the organization. Bhutan Red Cross Society was launched on 8th May 2017, coinciding with the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

Her Majesty inaugurated a community volunteers’ program in first aid and basic disaster management. The program will train 58 community volunteers from 20 dzongkhags in first aid and basic disaster management. The volunteers are members of His Majesty’s Retired Armed Forces Society.

The Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and members of parliament attended the event, along with volunteers and the members of the Working Committee of the BRCS, tasked with completing Bhutan’s membership to the ICRC Federation by 2020.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation has 190 member societies worldwide, working to protect human life, health, and dignity, especially in response to disaster and conflict.

The Bhutan Red Cross Society has been an observer to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent since last year. The Society aims to complement and support existing voluntary programs in Bhutan in disaster management, health and other social services, and has carried out a number of initiatives such as first aid and disaster response trainings for various groups.