The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) focuses on successful infusion of spirit of selfless service to needy people without discrimination of class, color and creed through youth volunteers affiliated to its programs and activities. PRCS an auxiliary to the Government is expected to mobilize large number of youth volunteers, coordinate activities of youth – involving organizations, promote good volunteer management practices and advocate value of volunteerism in Pakistan.

Pakistan currently has the largest group of young people in its history. This provides the state with a challenge & an opportunity of either failing to channelize their energies or mobilizing them for the betterment of the society.It is believed that building capacities of youth can be helpful for the Society in the long run as they remain part of the volunteer corps for a longer period of time and, therefore, could own their work, contributions and future. The emphasis is on strengthening communities through recruitment of volunteers, their training and retention.

As per the provision made in the Part II, Article 9, Clause (viii) and (ix), of the Constitution of Pakistan Red Crescent Society, (as amended up to February 1974), “ To encourage the Junior Red Crescent movement amongst boys and girls with a view to promote the participation of children and young people in the work of the Society” and “To disseminate the humanitarian principles of the Red Crescent in order to develop among the population and in particular among children and youth, the ideals of peace, mutual respect and understanding among all men and all peoples”.Therefore, with the view to mobilize the humanitarian potentiality of young people in order to provide services to the victims and contribute in reducing their vulnerabilities and get benefit, it is essential to encourage them and provide proper guidance and directions.

The Youth Volunteers around the country can play a pivotal role in execution of the mission and objectives of the Society by distributing relief supplies, working with people and assisting in blood collection, creating awareness, running community projects, helping in community based first aid trainings, disaster management and psychosocial support to less privileged and marginalized people. Building capacity of youth members can be helpful for the society in the long run as they can remain part of the volunteer corps for a longer period of time.

  1. Overall Goal

Develop and sustain strong volunteer corps within each community which shall be trained to take up a leadership role as agents of change in their communities, and therefore, inspire a positive transformation of mindsets, attitudes and behaviours in favour of promoting social inclusion, safe living and culture of non-violence and peace.

  1. Objectives
    • To build local and nationwide network of PRCS Junior/Youth Clubs for effective emergency response during natural and man-induced disasters.
    • To involve youth in humanitarian services related to protection of life and health through public awareness activities.
    • To support and strengthen PRCS in its institutional development by promoting Fundamental Principles, Humanitarian Values and disseminating International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
    • To enhance the skills of youth by involving them practically in motivation and voluntary services.
    • To promote national and international friendships, mutual cooperation, understanding and culture of peace.
  2. Scope of work

PRCS aims at creating a youth centric focus by integrating and coordinating various Programmes of PRCS and providing overall guidance to develop the youth at all tiers to meet the challenges that our country is facing. Following the Millennium Development Goal and the Fundamental Principles of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, any kind of programme/activity related to humanitarian services could be taken as the working scope of PRCS Junior/Youth Clubs. The activities are mainly related to six different fields.

Protection of life and health.

  • Conduct awareness session on prevention of Hepatitis B, C and HIV/AIDS (programme formulation, training, development and dissemination of IEC material).
  • Public awareness campaign concerning epidemics i.e. Covid-19, Dengue, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Diarrhea etc.
  • Conduct trainings on First Aid, Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA), ambulance service and handling of victims of road accidents for PRCS J/Y Club members.
  • Awareness about clear drinking water, personal hygiene, sanitation and plantation.
  • Blood donation camps and motivation of blood donors.
  • Organize Red Crescent Weeks, health weeks, health exhibitions etc.

Service and Solidarity

  • Mobilize the PRCS J/Y Club members to assist in disaster risk reduction at local, regional and national levels.
  • Promote harmony in providing relief assistance to the most vulnerable.
  • Expand the reach of youths and members of the community in the humanitarian services.
  • Community service (book bank, library, resource centers). Help needy students with books, medicine, clothing etc through establishment of RC book bank.
  • Prepare Eid gifts packs, garments, for the orphanage, sick and poor children, and patient in the Hospitals at the time of Eid, Christmas and other religious days.
  • Small projects (for mutual cooperation between PRCS J/Y Clubs at community level)

Promotion of Humanitarian Values and Dissemination of the Fundamental Principles of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

  • Protect civilian and archeological structures from destruction during conflicts and promote awareness concerning such things during peace times.
  • Stop discrimination specially gender based discrimination present in the community.
  • Promote Fundamental Principles and activities of RC/RC Movement among public.
  • Protection of life of the civilians.
  • Inform all the stakeholders especially children and youths about IHL
  • PRCS image building.
  • Dissemination about use of emblem and creation of public opinion through publication, interaction, communication campaign etc.

National / International Friendship, Understanding and Education for peace

  • Promote tolerance and culture of peace by acting as agents of behavioral change in their respective communities through “Youth as Agents of Behavioral Change (YABC)” initiative.
  • Promote partnership between elders/adults and the youth
  • Exchange of knowledge, skills and culture at the local, national and international levels through advocacy and other different activities i.e. Youth Camps, Convention, Meetings, Conferences, Pictures, Paintings, handicrafts, debate, paintings, drama, publications etc.
  • Involving youth in various decisions making processes.
  • Youth Exchange programmes (local, national and international).
  • Scholarship Programme (at national and international levels).

Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Provide assistance in building capacities of the communities by creating awareness and reducing vulnerabilities.
  • Provide rescue and relief services to the victims of natural and man-made disasters.
  • Disaster risk reduction through School Safety Programme.
  • Conduct simulation exercises.
  • Training in Psychological First Aid and service activity.

CapacityBuilding and Organization Development

  • Development and change of attitude, behavior and volunteering spirit amongst PRCS Junior/Youth members by promoting knowledge and skills in managerial and humanitarian services.
  • Development of institution of PRCS J/Y Clubs.
  • Enhancement of quality in service provision of PRCS J/Y Clubs.
  • Follow an integrated approach in planning and implementation of various programmes/activities through PRCS J/Y Clubs.
  • Ensuring availability and support for the future leadership of Pakistan Red Crescent Society.
  • Networking and integration of PRCS J/Y Clubs at local and national levels.
  1. Organizational Structure of PRCS J/Y Committees

There shall be Junior/Youth Committees under PRCS at the national, provincial and district levels. Similarly there shall be PRCS Junior Clubs at Schools and Youth Clubs at colleges, universities and community levels. Their organizational structure is as follows: –

  1. Structure of PRCS Junior/ Youth (J/Y) Club

PRCS Junior Clubs shall be established targeting age group 10-15 year students studying at schools. Similarly PRCS Youth Clubs shall be established at colleges, universities and community levels targeting age group 16-29 years. A Club can be established with minimum of 25 members. The Junior/Youth Club members shall be called as Junior/Youth volunteers. The following will form the PRCS Junior/Youth Club Committee at Schools, colleges, universities and at community levels.

  • President             – 1 (Principal)
  • Chairman – 1 (Teacher)
  • Vice Chairman – 1 (Teacher)
  • Secretary – 1 (Student)
  • Deputy Secretary – 1 (Student)
  • Treasurer – 1 (Student)
  • Members – 6 (Students with representation from all classes)

The annual membership fee for PRCS Junior Club shall be Rs.50/- and Rs.100/- for PRCS Youth Club.