The first Red Cross Society in Bulgaria was established on 25 October 1878 in Sliven. Following the adoption of the Statutes of the Bulgarian Red Cross Society in 1885, and its recognition by the International Committee of the Red Cross on 20 October 1885, the Bulgarian Red Cross became part of the Movement inspired by the ideas of Henry Dunant. The first acts of the Bulgarian Red Cross Society were during the Serbo Bulgarian war in 1885 - 1886. For the first time there was an exchange of prisoners-of-war, and dressing stations were set up to provide assistance to the wounded.
In a later period the National Society became stronger and extended its activities: there was the first relief action in the country in favour of the fire victims in Kotel, 1894; the first humanitarian relief for another country, i.e. in 1897 the Hellenic Red Cross was financially assisted; the nurses¼ school was established in 1900; the Red Cross Hospital was opened in 1900 thus initiating the hospital activities of the Bulgarian Red Cross; an act of humanitarian solidarity was the medical mission of the Bulgarian Red Cross in Manchuria during the Russo-Japanese war, 1904 - 1905; the involvement in fighting the cholera in Bulgaria which started the Bulgarian Red Cross' participation in the fight against infectious diseases, 1908 - 1910; active assistance to the sick and wounded during the Balkan war and World War I, by sending a medical group of the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) to assist the Russian Red Cross, 1914-1915, and by setting up a hospital near the front line.
After being accepted as a member of the International Federation of Red Crossand Red Crescent Societies in 1921, the Bulgarian Red Cross strengthened its contacts with many National Societies. In 1921 started the Youth Red Cross movementin Bulgaria. Food relief was collected and sent to the starving population in the region of Volga in 1921 - 1923; the first health advisory station of the Red Cross was opened in Sofia, 1924 one of the major actions of BRC was to receive and accommodate Bulgarian refugees from Thrace and Macedonia in 1924 - 1928; the Bulgarian Red Cross operated a relief action in favour of the earthquake in Southern Bulgaria in 1928. Emergency medical aid service was established in 1937. Organized blood donation was started in Bulgaria, 1940. Medical voluntary units were established in South Dobroudja, 1940.
During the World War II the Bulgarian Red Cross volunteers and the medical personnel were on the front lines to do their humanitarian duty. A hospital and a sanitary train were organized on the Eastern front, 1942 - 1944, and in 1944 - 1945 the National Society had its most important participation in war in all the history of the organization, i.e. on the front against nazi Germany. In 1945 a Central Sanitary Team was set up. A largescale first aid training of the population was started. In 1947 sanitary aviation was established by the BRC. In 1950 the Mountain Rescue Service, established in 1933, became part of the BRC. In 1964 the Water Life Saving Service was established. From 1965 to 1991 the International Festival of Red Cross and Health Films was held in Varna (in 1991, Sofia) . It turned into a major international cultural event.
Throughout its existence, the Bulgarian Red Cross has been carrying out its activities aimed to prevent and alleviate human suffering with impartiality, not making any distinction as to nationality, race, sex, religion or political views.
The Bulgarian Red Cross is officially recognized by the Government as a voluntary relief Society, auxiliary to the public authorities, in accordance with the provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and as the only National Red Cross Society which may carry out its activities on the Bulgarian territory.
In relation to the state authorities the Bulgarian Red Cross maintains an autonomy which allows it to act at all times in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
In September 1995 the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria adopted the Law of the Bulgarian Red Cross granting the National Society recognition as a voluntary aid society auxiliary to the public authorities in the sense of Art. 26 of the First Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949. In this way now the Bulgarian Red Cross meets the requirements set by the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent of 1986, for the legal regulation of National Societles' activities.
Bulgarian Red Cross Home Page