Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis

What Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis does

Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis (SRK) is a non-profit humanitarian organization founded on June 20, 1940, as a branch of the Dutch Red Cross and granted independent legal status on September 19, 1980. Headquartered in Paramaribo, Suriname, the organization operates as part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement under the seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality) and is formally recognized as an auxiliary to the Government of Suriname. It is governed by a seven-member daily board chaired by Melvin Tjon Sie Fat, with General Director Glenn Wijngaarde overseeing operations, supported by approximately 15 staff and roughly 150 volunteers across an 85-year institutional history.

The organization's core operations are anchored by three program pillars. First, the Stichting Nationale Bloedbank (National Blood Bank), established in 1941 as the Bloedtransfusiedienst and renamed in 1997, operates as the sole supplier of blood and blood products to all hospitals in Suriname, managing collection from approximately 6,000 active donors (against a 7,500 target), testing for HIV/Hepatitis B/C/HTLV/Syphilis/Chagas, processing into red blood cell concentrates, plasma, and platelet concentrates, and distributing to hospitals nationwide at a target throughput of 12,000 units annually. Second, the Disaster Management Unit coordinates with the National Coordination Center for Disaster Management (NCCR), delivers Community Disaster Response Team (CDRT) training (reaching 52 communities and 16 schools), and provides emergency response capacity including mosquito-borne disease outbreak response funded by IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). Third, the Zuster Finck-Sanichar Training Institute (ZFTI) delivers first aid certification programs (Basic, Advanced, CPR & AED, Community Based Health and First Aid) to businesses and communities, complemented by the Health Assistant Team (HAT) for event first aid and the Jeugd Rode Kruis (Youth Red Cross) program.

SRK's revenue model combines four streams: voluntary donations from individuals, businesses, and international organizations; recurring membership fees from association members; government subsidies through the Ministry of Health covering personnel costs (operational and investment costs remain a stated challenge); and service fees from hospitals for blood products. Go-to-market is community-led — mobile blood drives, house-to-house outreach in districts including Paramaribo, Commewijne, Nickerie, and Coronie, plus on-site first aid training delivery. The technology stack is not applicable to a volunteer-driven humanitarian service organization; no proprietary software, APIs, or AI capabilities are disclosed.

Name

Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis

Legal name

Vereniging van het Surinaamse Rode Kruis

Website

https://redcross.sr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis is a Paramaribo-based non-profit humanitarian organization operating Suriname's sole national blood bank, disaster preparedness training, first aid certification, community health programs, and youth development services, serving all Surinamese hospitals and residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and Blood Banking Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Mass Vaccination & Community Outreach Operations (PODs/Mobile Clinics) (HLAJAHAD)

Keywords

• Humanitarian aid services
• Blood bank services
• Disaster response
• First aid training
• Community health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paramaribo

HQ country

Suriname

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization receives donations from individuals, businesses, and international organizations. Recent examples include a USD 46,251.75 donation from Cooperating Muslim Organizations and Platform Justice Palestine for humanitarian aid to Palestine.
2. Membership fees: Members of the Surinaamse Rode Kruis Association contribute monthly fees to support the organization's programs.
3. Government subsidies: Personnel costs are covered by the Ministry of Health, though operational and investment costs remain a challenge.
4. Blood bank services: The Blood Bank incurs costs for donor recruitment, blood collection, testing, storage, and release to hospitals. While donors are not paid, hospitals pay for blood products to cover operational costs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis is a volunteer-driven humanitarian organization delivering three core programs: (1) the Stichting Nationale Bloedbank, which is the sole collector, tester, processor and distributor of blood and blood products to all hospitals in Suriname; (2) Disaster Management and emergency response, including first aid training, the Health Assistant Team (HAT), and national disaster coordination; and (3) Community Health programs such as Youth Red Cross development, mosquito-borne disease prevention, and Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA). Services are delivered free of charge to the public and funded through donations, membership fees, government subsidies, and grants.

Product overview

Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis is a volunteer-driven humanitarian organization providing healthcare and emergency services in Suriname. The organization operates primarily through three core programs: (1) Stichting Nationale Bloedbank - the sole national blood supplier managing collection, testing, processing, and distribution of blood products to all hospitals; (2) Disaster Management Unit - encompassing first aid training through ZFTI, the Health Assistant Team, and disaster response capabilities; and (3) Community Health Programs - including youth development, mosquito-borne disease prevention, and volunteer management. The organization also provides emergency aid services, health education, and partners with international Red Cross networks (IFRC, ICRC) for humanitarian operations. All services are delivered through trained volunteers and staff without technology product offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stichting Nationale Bloedbank (National Blood Bank Services) The sole collector, tester, processor and distributor of blood and blood products to all hospitals in Suriname. Services include voluntary donor recruitment, blood collection, infectious disease screening (HIV, Hepatitis B/C, HTLV, Syphilis, Chagas), blood typing and antibody screening, processing into red blood cell concentrates, plasma, and platelet concentrates, and distribution to hospitals. Target is 12,000 units per year from ~7,500 active donors.
• EHBO First Aid Training Programs Comprehensive first aid training programs delivered at the ZFTI training institute or on-site at businesses, organizations and communities. Covers resuscitation, wound treatment, burns, bleeding control, unconsciousness, bone/muscle/joint injuries, choking, and head/spinal injuries, plus CPR & AED. Courses are open to individuals, employees, community responders, and certified first aiders requiring refresher training.
• Disaster Management and Emergency Response Preparedness, response and recovery services for disasters and emergencies. Includes training of Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRTs), emergency shelter support, family reunification tracing services, and recovery assistance. Activities are coordinated with the NCCR and have reached 52 communities and 16 schools across Suriname.
• Health Assistant Team (HAT) Volunteer first-aid corps providing medical standby and first aid assistance at public events, plus auxiliary support to the National Army medical services during wartime. Members must be certified first aiders with annual refresher training.
• Jeugd Rode Kruis (Youth Red Cross) Youth development program for adolescents aged 13-18 and students, promoting healthy lifestyles through education on HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drugs, teenage pregnancy, youth criminality, environmental pollution, and responsible decision-making. Includes the Club Redd program for young voluntary blood donors. SRK also supports the 'No Go Sexting' youth awareness project with the Police Corps of Suriname (KPS).
• Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) Community-level health and first aid program covering hygiene, water safety, and communicable diseases. Implemented after a Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) in target communities or businesses, equipping local volunteers with basic health and first aid knowledge.
• Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention Program Public health program delivering community education on prevention of chikungunya, dengue, and zika, including house-to-house visits, distribution of mosquito spray, and promotion of breeding-site elimination. Supported by IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) and CARPHA-EU funding.

Quantifiable outcome

• 231 blood donors decorated by the President of Suriname for their exceptional dedication
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Korps Politie Suriname (KPS)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 August 2025SRK supports the 'No Go Sexting' project initiated by the Police, providing youth volunteers for awareness sessions on risks of sexting for youth aged 13-18.
• Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2024CARPHA contracted IFRC to conduct surveys on mosquito-borne diseases in communities. SRK volunteers conduct house-to-house questionnaires and focus group discussions in selected communities.
• Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) and Medical MissionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Provided food aid to Trio-Indians after crop failure due to drought and leaf-cutting ant infestation. Joint effort for humanitarian assistance.
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SRK is part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement with 191 national associations. IFRC provides the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) for humanitarian operations, including the Chikungunya response activities.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SRK participates in the global Red Cross movement alongside ICRC for humanitarian operations and international humanitarian law dissemination.
• Caribbean Red Cross Aids Network (CARAN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRK participates in CARAN for regional cooperation on HIV/AIDS issues.
• National Coordination Center for Disaster Management (NCCR)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSRK participates in the NCCR as part of the national disaster coordination framework. Joint training programs on shelter management are conducted with USAID support.
• Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAHO is listed as a stakeholder providing support for health initiatives.
• Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor (BOG)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Ministry of Health covers personnel costs for the blood bank and SRK operations. The organization serves as an auxiliary to the government and works closely with the ministry on health crises and disaster management.
• VCB BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVCB Bank donated a laptop to the National Blood Bank for use during mobile blood collection drives, demonstrating corporate social responsibility.
• Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo (AZP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Blood Bank provided emergency Tacrolimus concentration testing when AZP's equipment failed, enabling kidney transplant missions to proceed.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Global humanitarian organization focused on international humanitarian law and conflict response; participates alongside Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis in the global Red Cross movement.
• Doctors Without Borders (MSF): International humanitarian medical NGO providing emergency medical relief in vulnerable settings — comparable in mission (humanitarian health in low-resource settings) though operating through a different delivery model.
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): Umbrella organization coordinating all 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies; provides DREF funding and operational coordination to Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis.

Direct peers

• American Red Cross: The U.S. national society of the Red Cross movement, operating the largest blood supply organization in the U.S. and providing similar disaster response, first aid training, and humanitarian programs. Most structurally comparable peer.
• Jamaica Red Cross: Caribbean national society providing analogous blood donation drives, first aid training, and disaster response programs under the IFRC umbrella.
• Guyana Red Cross Society: Closest regional peer in the Caribbean, sharing similar country size, demographic profile, and operational scope (blood bank, disaster preparedness, volunteer-driven humanitarian aid).
• Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society: Caribbean national society with comparable humanitarian, blood donation, and disaster preparedness programs operating in a similar small-country context.
• Netherlands Red Cross: The parent organization from which Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis originated in 1940; operates the same humanitarian, blood bank, and disaster response model in the Netherlands.
• Barbados Red Cross Society: Small Caribbean national society with a similar mix of humanitarian aid, health programming, and youth volunteer activities.

Others

• Pan American Health Organization (PAHO): Regional WHO-affiliated public health agency that directly funds and partners with Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis; not a peer organization but a key stakeholder and adjacent ecosystem participant in Caribbean public health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/het-surinaamse-rode-kruis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Het Surinaamse Rode Kruis