South Sudan Red Cross Society Act

The South Sudan Red Cross Society Act was signed into law on March 12, 2012. The act established the South Sudan Red Cross Society (SSRC) as an autonomous and independent body. Per this act, the SSRC is mandated to “operate as an auxiliary to the Government in the humanitarian field” (Section 7(4)) and “shall act in conformity with the Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocols, the laws of South Sudan, the Constitution of the Society and the fundamental Principles of the Movement adopted by the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies” (Section 7 (6)).

As noted in Section 6(b), a core objective of the SSRC is to “[pr]ovide humanitarian aid to civilian and military victims in times of armed conflicts, other situations of violence, natural disasters and in peace time.” In this sense, this act is relevant to the ability of persons impacted by armed conflict, as well as other emergencies—including children—to maintain continued access to essential services.