Finnish Red Cross Savo-Karjala district
Welcome to the website of the Red Cross Savo-Karjala District!
The Red Cross is a global organization, and the Finnish Red Cross (FRC) is one of the largest civic organizations in Finland.
The operational area of the Savo-Karjala district includes the North Savo and North Karelia regions. We have a total of 40 local branches.
Our activities are based on volunteering. Our volunteers help in a variety of ways – everyone can do something! Explore our volunteer activities and join the chain of help!
Our Work
First aid groups provide opportunities to practice and develop first aid skills. The groups may organize various training exercises and participate in events as first aid volunteers.
Find your local first aid group through the Oma Punainen Risti (My Red Cross) service!
Our food aid helps when life's basic needs are not being met. Community food aid events can offer much more than just a meal for the day.
Food aid activities are organized by Finnish Red Cross local branches and carried out by volunteers.
Loneliness affects everyone at some point in their lives. The Finnish Red Cross offers a wide range of friendship activities and connects people seeking companionship with trained volunteer friends. The target groups and forms of friendship activities vary by location.
Fundraising activities make it possible to provide financial support wherever it is needed. The Finnish Red Cross organizes several fundraising campaigns each year, as well as emergency appeals when necessary.
The Savo-Karjala District supports and coordinates local Red Cross branches in North Karelia and North Savo in organizing these fundraising efforts. The best-known annual campaign is the Hunger Day collection.
We promote health through low-threshold, person-centred encounters at Sobering Stations and Health Points.
In the Savo-Karjala District, we support the integration of migrants by organizing language clubs and community activities, and by assisting municipalities in the reception of quota refugees.
The international treaties of International Humanitarian Law define what is and is not permitted during armed conflict. They aim to reduce the human suffering caused by armed conflicts. Promoting awareness and understanding of the rules of war is one of the core missions of the Red Cross.
Read more about International Humanitarian Law activities in the Savo-Karelia District here.
Finnish Red Cross online support services offer opportunities to connect with new people and participate in group discussions in an accessible and welcoming environment.
Online support also provides free assistance in situations where leaving home is difficult or when no other support services are available locally. Depending on the type of support, Finnish Red Cross online services are provided by peers, volunteers, or staff members.
Preparedness activities encompass all Finnish Red Cross and Voluntary Rescue Service (Vapepa) measures that ensure aid can be provided in a timely, effective, and well-planned manner when needed.
The Finnish Red Cross is a preparedness organization, and all its activities complement the work of public authorities. Our aim is to strengthen local communities, enhance their resilience, and foster a culture of caring and readiness to help others.
Behind the visible volunteer activities that help people, volunteers also carry out organizational work. This work is done by elected representatives and key volunteers in local Red Cross branches and at the district level. Organizational work makes Red Cross activities possible.
Communications and public information play an important volunteer role in the Finnish Red Cross chain of assistance. They help ensure that support reaches those who need it and enable people to offer help to others.
Volunteers manage local communications in their communities and act as communications trainers.
Psychological support means being present, listening, and guiding people to the help they need.
In emergency situations, authorities focus on life-saving actions. Psychological support provided by volunteers helps those who are not in immediate danger.
The Red Cross provides training for its volunteers to ensure that volunteering is both safe and high quality. Volunteers can also serve as trainers themselves. Trainers receive training for their role, as well as ongoing support.
We invite young people and young adults to get involved in Red Cross activities! We want to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities that reflect young people's own interests and strengths, while also developing activities that respond to their needs and wishes.
