History of the
Cayman Islands Red Cross
The Cayman Islands Red Cross Overseas Branch of the British Red Cross was founded in 1961 by Mrs Ethel Cook-Bodden.
Created as a Committee of the British Red Cross, the initial concern of the Committee was in helping the small population to prepare for the annual hurricane season.
Their duties expanded from building a small inventory of disaster supplies to assisting with the care of the patients in the hospital, and fundraising for better health care facilities.
The Cayman Islands Red Cross has strengthened the foundations built by those pioneering volunteers and today has ‘Branch’ status, allowing it more autonomy to evolve to meet the changing needs of the most vulnerable in the country. However, the branch can still call on the support of its parent organisations - the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Celebrating its 45th year in 2006, the CIRC now runs a range of humanitarian Programmes and Services for the Cayman public including: Disaster Management, First Aid, HIV/AIDS Awareness and the Thrift Shop.
Under the seven fundamental principles of The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are guided by the seven fundamental principles - Humanity, Neutrality, Voluntary Service, Universality, Impartiality, Independence and Unity.
