this is not another appeal for material aid. This is an appeal to help to protect the Red Cross emblem.
For us, the victims of armed conflicts, natural disasters or other humanitarian crises, this emblem represents hope, help and the protection of our lives regardless of race, religion or origin. This is often all we have.
Please – help responsibly. Do not use the Red Cross emblem on your own. This dilutes its true meaning.
Thank you for understanding us
People in need of support
The Red Cross emblem is a mark protected by international law and the laws of the Republic of Poland. They define in detail who can use it and when, so that it fulfils its purpose – to mark the help for those in need and to protect those who help.
MILITARY MEDICAL SERVICES
ORGANISATIONS AFFILIATED TO THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT
INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORK OF THE POLISH RED CROSS
AMBULANCES AND (FREE OF CHARGE) FIRST AID STATIONS UPON CONSENT OF THE POLISH RED CROSS
You think that using the Red Cross emblem will add credibility to your aid. Unfortunately, by applying the emblem on your own, you are disrupting the cycle of humanitarian action coordinated by many professionally trained people.
It is obvious that your products serve people, but they do not save lives in emergency situations. This emblem is not just a label. Do not dilute the true importance of first aid.
Organisation and distribution of humanitarian aid to those in need are a huge responsibility and logistical challenge. At every stage of the operation, we need to make sure that humanitarian transport gets to those in need. We do not have it if we do not organise the transport.
Imagine if someone in a car marked with a Red Cross emblem smuggled weapons or items considered to be weapons across the border.
Or that someone sent a shipment of ball gowns to Africa when people were dying because of a drought crisis.
Imagine if someone, branded by the Red Cross emblem, organised a collection of medicines for seriously ill war refugees that never reached them. And another someone ‘helped’ with the transport of refugees, separating a family that was struggling to find their loved ones.
You are lucky you can only imagine it. Those who experienced this were in life and health-threatening situations. They were confused and too trusting to check whether someone using the Red Cross emblem has the right to do so.
We act within the law!
In contact with the relevant services and with consent of the organisations that have the authority to coordinate relief efforts.
We are professionally trained to provide support!
By bringing help to those affected, we take responsibility for their life and health.
Aid activities are coordinated!
The evacuation of the population, family reunification, rescue operations, distribution of food and medical supplies are always planned in detail and controlled by authorised services.
Share the information about the protection of the Red Cross emblem with your friends on social media. This is important for us, but even more important for those who need help.
The Red Cross emblem is protected by international law (Articles 44 and 53 of the First Geneva Convention of 12.08.1949; OJ. 1956 No. 38, item 171). These provisions prohibit the use of such an emblem by unauthorised parties and any form of imitation of the emblem. The protection of the Red Cross emblem is the obligation of the State under Article 49 of the First Geneva Convention. This means that the emblem of the Red Cross is protected by the national law of the Republic of Poland (art. 13, 14, 15 chapter III of the Act on the Polish Red Cross of 16.11.1964, OJ. No. 41, item 276 in connection with the aforementioned Convention).
The use of the emblem through its modification, placement on commercial products and in advertising campaigns by unauthorised parties may have legal consequences.
The use of the emblem of the Red Cross or Red Crescent during armed action is criminal by imprisonment of up to three years, according to Article 126 of the Penal Code [Unlawful use of signs] §1 and §2 .
It is very important to respond to the unauthorised use of the Red Cross emblem, because this is the only way to give power to the help that the PCK brings. Thanks to your notification, we can take steps to protect the Red Cross emblem.
You can report unjustified use or misuse of the emblem:
1) at the nearest District Branch of the Polish Red Cross- for a list of branches and their contact details see: https://pck.pl/kontakt/or
2) to the International Relations Department at the Headquarters of the Polish Red Cross by sending an e-mail describing the irregularities to: miedzynarodowy@pck.pl
The Polish Red Cross is an organisation open to all and for all people of goodwill. If anyone wants to help, they can do so together with us under the Red Cross emblem. Any individual can be a volunteer, regardless of age (there is no lower or upper limit), but parental or guardian consent is required for those under the age of 18.
When you join us as a volunteer, you can specify the type of aid you want to contribute to. We will then ensure that you have the right training to help you provide aid in a professional manner. You can apply for volunteering at any District Branch of the Polish Red Cross. You can find a list of branches and their contacts at: https://pck.pl/kontakt/
The Polish Red Cross is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and is also active within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The Polish Red Cross is the only legally recognised Polish Red Cross Society acting in the territory of the Republic of Poland entitled to use the emblem in an informative function for its humanitarian activities within and outside the country.
The emblem in the protective function can also be used by military medical services safeguarding the life and health of soldiers during an armed conflict.
The Red Cross emblem has two main functions: protection/recognition and information. This means that the emblem provides protection under the international humanitarian law, to specific persons and objects. The categories of protected persons and objects are detailed in Articles 24 – 27 of the First Geneva Convention and Article 8 [c] of the First Additional Protocol of 1977.
Currently, a group of 192 states are signatories to the Geneva Conventions. Next to the Red Cross emblem, the Red Crescent (used in 34 countries) and the Red Crystal are protected too.
The use of the emblem or name of the Red Cross by “private persons, societies, or trading houses, whether public or private” is prohibited by international humanitarian law (I Convention, Article 53). However, it is permissible for a National Society (the Polish Red Cross) to establish cooperation and indicate there that it has received specific assistance from a company or other organisation in compliance with all legal requirements.
The Polish Red Cross cannot undertake cooperation with companies whose activities contradict to the objectives of the Red Cross, e.g. producers and sellers of weapons, tobacco products, alcohol or goods clearly assessed as harmful to the environment.