17 years ago, the Maldivian Red Crescent was formed with a clear purpose: to provide humanitarian aid, to prevent and alleviate human suffering, and to uphold the dignity of every person it serves. That purpose, mandated under the Maldivian Red Crescent Act and carried within the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, has guided every decision, every programme, and every response since.
Across 17 years, the work has been carried by volunteers, members, and staff who show up whenever their community needs them, giving time, care, and skills to those around them. They have built capacity in others, sustained the organisation through growth and change, and kept the mission alive through every challenge. And through it all, MRC has been able to do what it does because of the trust of the communities it serves and the partners it works alongside. They are the reason MRC exists.
This year's anniversary theme | We Are MRC | puts the focus where it has always belonged. On the volunteers, members, staff, partners, and communities who have given their time, their skills, and their trust to this organisation. It is a moment to reflect on the journey, to celebrate the people who have carried it, and to look ahead to the next chapter of the work they have made possible.
To mark the occasion, a series of events and activities are planned across the islands, bringing communities together in celebration of 17 years of humanitarian service. Visit our anniversary page for the full schedule of events and updates - here