Following a successful launch of the technology in Kenya in April this year, The South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) has announced the official launch of its mobile application, created and developed in partnership with Connectik.

Connectik developed a Red Cross app for Kenya in April, and following that success, the organisation wanted to bring it to South Africa.

The SARCS aims to render services to prevent and alleviate human suffering while fostering human dignity in all communities. The app will help its processes run smoothly and provide access to more people.

App users are able to see where local projects are happening that they can volunteer for, get emergency alerts during national and local crises, make donations, register for training courses and events, and see blood donor locations, among other things.

The launch of the app is the first nation-wide initiative for SARCS' new senior leadership. It is the organisation's major stepping-stone as it seeks to digitise and improve services.

The launch in South Africa follows the recent announcement of HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco becoming a patron of the SARCS.

SARCS hopes the app will provide the organisation with resource mobilisation opportunities to increase its membership, volunteer base and programme delivery, as well as tools to improve community engagement.

"After witnessing the success of various partners using apps developed with Connectik, we are excited to own today an app that will be pivotal to our ability to provide life-changing services to people all over South Africa," says Derick Naidoo, CEO of SARCS.