May 21 – Independence Day of the Red Cross
With the independence of the Republic of Macedonia, resulted with the need for independence of the Red Cross of the Republic of Macedonia. Thus, on May 21, 1992, a Decision for independence was adopted. In 1994, the Law on the Red Cross of the Republic of Macedonia was adopted. During this period the Red Cross had a number of various activities. The organization was especially active in taking care of refugees from different parts of the former Yugoslavia, where fierce fighting was taking place.
After gaining its independence, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia ratified the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977 on August 25, 1993. On November 1, 1995, the Red Cross was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and on November 27, 1995, it became the 169th full-fledged member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
