The Ukrainian Red Cross has become the first and only non-governmental organisation in the country to play a role in the establishment of territorial subsystems of the Unified State System of Civil Protection across urban territorial communities, according to the Department of Communications and Marketing of the National Committee of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine (URCS).

It is noted that the Cabinet of Ministers decided that the URCS will be involved in the creation of links of territorial subsystems of the Unified State System of Civil Protection on the territory of urban territorial communities.

“For the second consecutive year, the Government has recognised the vital role of the Ukrainian Red Cross in the country’s civil protection efforts. Therefore, as part of the approved Plan of Key Civil Protection Measures for 2025, the Ukrainian Red Cross will now officially undertake several critical responsibilities within the system,” the message reads.

The Ukrainian Red Cross will play a crucial role in assisting the population during emergencies, including fires, floods, accidents, rocket attacks, and shelling.

The organisation’s responsibilities will also extend to preventing emergencies and addressing their consequences within the framework of martial law. This will involve conducting rescue and other emergency operations, mitigating the impact of rocket and bomb attacks, constructing civil protection facilities, establishing basic shelters, preparing infrastructure for evacuees, creating fire and rescue units, and developing a volunteer firefighting movement in communities, among other tasks.

The Unified State System of Civil Protection encompasses various services, including first responders, medical personnel, police, volunteers, and local authorities, who work together to provide rapid responses, assist victims, and prevent further hazards.

The Ukrainian Red Cross is a humanitarian organization in Ukraine that has been focusing its efforts on protecting human life, health and dignity for 106 years. Since February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian Red Cross has provided assistance to more than 12 million people in Ukraine affected by the war. The Ukrainian Red Cross is one of the 191 national societies of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The organization has 24 regional and more than 200 district organizations, which involve about 8,000 volunteers.