The South African Red Cross Society (Sarcs) is a humanitarian organisation that provides aid in crisis situations, specifically for those who deal with health crises and man-made or natural disasters.
With 97 million volunteers, supporters and staff in 186 countries, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is the largest humanitarian movement on earth, and Sarcs is a part of it.
Sarcs was founded in 1921 and recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1928.
Today they offer first-aid training, help with disaster relief and preparedness, restore family links, and provide psychosocial support to communities in need.
They have worked with the Department of Health on several programmes, disasters and emergencies. It has been signed into law that Sarcs has to cooperate with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Defence if a disaster occurs.
An independent but affiliated organisation is the Air Mercy Service (AMS). Sarcs established the organisation in 1966 and it became autonomous in 1994.
AMS is an ambulance network that also provides a rural outreach and an emergency rescue service. The closest base is in Bloemfontein.
The Krugersdorp Sarcs branch can be contacted on 011 660 5197, or at 9 Hugo Street, Krugersdorp. Contact the AMS base on 051 451 1181 for more information or 0861 267 267 in an emergency.
