ESC: Small Steps for Big Changes [Oportunidade na Bósnia-Herzegovina]

Integrated in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the Portuguese Red Cross has been operating in emerging scenarios of armed conflict and natural disasters both in Portugal and abroad. The Red Cross is the biggest humanitarian organization in the whole world reaching over 150 million beneficiaries. Our intervention always happens in line with our fundamental principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity and Universality. Our organization's aim is to provide assistance without discrimination (as to nationality, race, religious background, social class or political beliefs) in order to improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our organization's scope of action is very wide with different activities for different target groups developing our work community-based. In the community where our organization is based we are experiencing social problems that are rather common in small rural towns such as ours: elderly people are the majority since qualified young people leave to live in cities; many middle-aged adults living alone or with children become unemployed or struggle with illnesses or addictions (substance usage). For this reason we develop activities and projects for every sort of beneficiaries (from adults and the elderly to children and youth). We are constantly trying to improve our social response with creative and innovative solutions bringing in new methods and tools. The Portuguese Red Cross - Delegation of Cucujães works towards improving our community at both regional and national levels seeking to fulfil our goal of fighting for equality and dignity of all the people promoting equal access to essential social services. Our biggest strength is our volunteers without whom we wouldn't be able to provide such a big and impactful response to social problems. These local volunteers are from the most diverse ages, academic and professional backgrounds and from all paths of life: some have been beneficiaries before and are now empowered to deal and support those facing the same obstacles as they have.