Zimbabwe Red Cross Society
Lets help each other to help the need
Who We Are
Message From President
Message Of Solidarity from the National President of the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society As President of the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, and on behalf of the newly ushered-in Board elected in December 2024 I am deeply honoured to serve this great institution at such a critical time in our humanitarian journey.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society has long stood as a beacon of hope and a dependable partner to communities in times of crisis. In our tenure, the new Board remains firmly committed to strengthening the foundations of this legacy — ensuring that the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service., universality and unity are upheld, and that the most vulnerable among us are not left behind.
Our governance mandate is clear: we are here to reinforce accountability, transparency, and community-centred leadership. As custodians of the Society’s strategic direction, we pledge to provide oversight that not only strengthens the institution internally, but also amplifies its impact on the ground where it matters most — in drought-stricken villages, cholera-affected communities, flood-prone settlements, and all places where humanitarian needs are urgent.
We stand in solidarity with the Zimbabwe Red Cross leadership, staff, and volunteers who continue to embody the true spirit of humanitarianism. Their dedication inspires us to remain resolute in championing programmes that save lives, restore dignity, and build resilience. As we embark on this new chapter, we reaffirm our collective commitment to humanity above all. Guided by our Movement’s principles and supported by our partners, we will continue to reach out to those in greatest need, innovating and adapting as we work toward a safer, healthier and more inclusive Zimbabwe. Together, we can do more. Together, we serve humanity.
S.G Remarks
To our valued partners, friends, and the communities we serve, The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) continues to make remarkable strides in responding to today’s evolving humanitarian landscape. In an era marked by increasing disasters, health emergencies, and climate-related shocks, we remain steadfast in our commitment to saving lives, protecting livelihoods, and building resilient, inclusive communities.
Our approach goes beyond emergency response—we are investing in early warning systems, anticipatory action, and preparedness initiatives that empower communities to better withstand the impacts of disasters before they strike. Through community engagement and inclusive programming, ZRCS ensures that no one is left behind, especially the most vulnerable groups in society.
From climate-smart resilience projects that promote adaptive livelihoods to innovative health and social protection services, we are keeping pace with global humanitarian trends while remaining deeply rooted in the local realities of Zimbabwe. Our integrated efforts across Disaster Management, Health, Water and Sanitation, Food Security, and Restoring Family Links are guided by one central purpose: to serve humanity with compassion, dignity, and neutrality.
At the heart of our work is the principle of inclusion. We believe that communities are not just beneficiaries but active participants in shaping solutions that meet their needs. Whether it’s school health clubs preventing disease outbreaks, youth leading digital awareness campaigns, or communities driving reforestation to mitigate climate change—our interventions are designed to be people-led and future-focused.
We are grateful for the unwavering support of our partners, the tireless commitment of our volunteers, and the trust of the communities we serve. It is through these partnerships that ZRCS continues to grow as a dynamic and responsive humanitarian organization, contributing not only nationally but also regionally to coordinated emergency and development efforts.
As we forge ahead, we do so with a clear vision: a Zimbabwe where people live safe, healthy, and dignified lives—and where communities are empowered to thrive, even in the face of adversity. Together, we are making humanitarian action more inclusive, impactful, and enduring.
Yours in humanitarian service, Elias Hwenga Secretary General Zimbabwe Red Cross Society
What we do
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What is a disaster?
Disasters are serious disruptions to the functioning of a community that exceed its capacity to cope using its own resources. Disasters can be caused by natural, man-made and technological hazards, as well as various factors that influence the exposure and vulnerability of a community.
What are hazards?
Natural hazards are naturally occurring physical phenomena. They can be: Geophysical: a hazard originating from solid earth (such as earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity) Hydrological: caused by the occurrence, movement and distribution of water on earth (such as floods and avalanches) Climatological: relating to the climate (such as droughts and wildfires) Meteorological: relating to weather conditions (such as cyclones and storms) Biological: caused by exposure to living organisms and their toxic substances or diseases they may carry (such as disease epidemics and insect/animal plagues) Man-made and technological hazards are events that are caused by humans and occur in or close to human settlements. They include complex emergencies, conflicts, industrial accidents, transport accidents, environmental degradation and pollution. While hazards may be natural and inevitable, disasters are not
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Climate-smart disaster risk reduction
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Disaster Preparedness and Responses
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ZRCS Clinic
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Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
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First Aid
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Projects
The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the City of Harare, has launched an initiative to address the rising threat of cholera outbreaks in Harare. This risk is exacerbated by factors such as climate change, urbanization, and population growth, disproportionately impacting vulnerable urban communities.
Dubbed the " Integrated Strategy for Cholera Risk Elimination and Mitigation Action," this initiative is made possible through funding from the European Commission Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (DG ECHO) and the Finnish Red Cross. It centers on three crucial objectives: Prevention, Containment, and Upscaling.
The Action began with a comprehensive Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) survey and hazard mapping to assess risks in target areas. This data informs interventions that combat negative behavioural practices related to water collection, sanitation, and hygiene, ultimately preventing waterborne diseases. Additionally, water quality testing and inclusive hygiene messaging dissemination are key components of this effort.
To effectively contain potential outbreaks, the Action adopts the Branch Outbreak Response Team (BORT) approach, capitalizing on the strengths of the Red Cross Movement. This approach includes standardized equipment, training protocols, and scalable Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT), as well as community mobilization to disrupt cholera transmission routes. In preparation for rapid responses, the Action strategically prepositions Oral Rehydration Point (ORP) kits and essential materials for BORT. Large tents will also be procured for possible deployment to clinics if Cholera Treatment Centres (CTC) are needed. Additionally, an Early Action Plan (EAP) for cholera in Zimbabwe will be developed.
Identifying cholera hotspots based on defined criteria, the Action will closely work with the CoH Health Department to target 10 wards within Harare's Tier 1 and Tier 2 brackets, aiming to contain and prevent cholera outbreaks. The Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society Mr Elias Hwenga said the overarching objective of this intervention is to enhance environmental health in urban Zimbabwe by bolstering capacities for the prevention, containment, and scaling up of responses to waterborne disease outbreaks. “This initiative seeks to fortify the structures and capabilities required to effectively respond to cholera outbreaks in Harare's most vulnerable areas, reducing their impact on communities and limiting the spread of the disease,” he said.
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Education
As a direct support to the formal education initiative, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, ZRCS, runs a Red Cross High School on a full time basis and the school acts a model for all Disaster Risk Reduction and Youth related programming. The Red Cross High School which was established in 2015 with the thrust of offering quality formal education to orphaned and vulnerable children as well as resource mobilization. The School, situated in Harare has an enrolment of both day and boarding scholars from form1-6 who are from diverse social backgrounds who pay termly fees for sustainability. The School is registered under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Reg. No IC/HARARE/526/15) and is an accredited Zimbabwe Schools Examination Centre. It is located at Red Cross owned facility, number 165 Kambuzuma Drive, Westwood in Harare Metropolitan.
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Safeguarding and Inclusion
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Youth engagement
Frequently Asked Questions
Get in touch
Head office
No. 10 St Annes Avondale Harare Zimbabwe
Phone +263242333158
Email info@redcrosszim.org.zw