Allocation Decided for Empress Shôken Fund, the World's Oldest International Humanitarian Fund with Over 100 Years of History
The Empress Shôken Fund has announced its 105th allocation, distributing ¥86.16 million to 15 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies for humanitarian projects. Established over a century ago, the fund continues to support disaster preparedness and early warning initiatives globally.
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- 📰 Published: April 11, 2026 at 02:00
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The Joint Management Committee of the Empress Shôken Fund, composed of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (hereinafter referred to as 'the Federation'), has announced the recipients of the 105th allocation from the 'Empress Shôken Fund,' the world's oldest international humanitarian fund.
This time, a total of approximately 86.16 million JPY (430,884 Swiss Francs) will be allocated to Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in 15 countries.
Since the first allocation in 1921 (Taisho 10), the fund's disbursements over 105 years amount to a cumulative total of approximately 3.4 billion JPY (17,358,594 Swiss Francs), reaching 175 countries and regions.
## What is the Empress Shôken Fund?
The fund was established based on a donation of 100,000 JPY (equivalent to approximately 350 million JPY today) made by Empress Shôken (Empress of Emperor Meiji) at the 1912 International Red Cross Conference, intended for the peacetime activities of national Red Cross societies.
At a time when the Red Cross primarily focused on wartime relief, the establishment of a fund to encourage peacetime activities such as relief for natural disasters and disease prevention was groundbreaking and became a forerunner of international development aid. Today, it is widely recognized globally as the world's oldest international humanitarian fund, over 100 years old, dedicated to peacetime humanitarian support activities.
The fund is operated by a Joint Management Committee established within the International Red Cross, supported by donations from Japan, including the Japanese Imperial Family. Without depleting the principal, the investment income generated is distributed to the activities of Red Cross societies worldwide.
Recipients are announced annually around April 11th, Empress Shôken's death anniversary. This year marks the 105th allocation.
## 105th Empress Shôken Fund Supported Projects
### 1. Disaster Prevention and Early Warning
(1) Costa Rican Red Cross: Approx. 6 million JPY (30,000 Swiss Francs)
**Strengthening Resilience Led by Indigenous Volunteers**
By fostering indigenous volunteers and utilizing traditional wisdom alongside modern methods, this project aims to enhance local disaster preparedness and establish a disaster response system applicable to remote indigenous communities.
(2) São Tomé and Príncipe Red Cross: Approx. 6 million JPY (30,000 Swiss Francs)
**Flood Early Warning System**
For regions facing increased disaster risks due to floods, erosion, and climate change, this initiative will introduce an early warning system. It will facilitate the sharing of community-gathered information through easily accessible communication channels, thereby enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
(3) Indonesian Red Cross: Approx. 6 million JPY (30,000 Swiss Francs)
**Building Youth-Led Disaster Prevention Systems**
Combining an AI platform with community-rooted youth support, this project aims to create an environment where disaster-prone regions can access the latest disaster prevention information instantly, establishing a sustainable youth-led disaster prevention system.
(4) Botswana Red Cross: Approx. 5.93 million JPY (29,680 Swiss Francs)
**Reducing Environmental Impact through Waste Recycling**
To prevent environmental degradation and increased flood risks due to inadequate waste management...
This time, a total of approximately 86.16 million JPY (430,884 Swiss Francs) will be allocated to Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in 15 countries.
Since the first allocation in 1921 (Taisho 10), the fund's disbursements over 105 years amount to a cumulative total of approximately 3.4 billion JPY (17,358,594 Swiss Francs), reaching 175 countries and regions.
## What is the Empress Shôken Fund?
The fund was established based on a donation of 100,000 JPY (equivalent to approximately 350 million JPY today) made by Empress Shôken (Empress of Emperor Meiji) at the 1912 International Red Cross Conference, intended for the peacetime activities of national Red Cross societies.
At a time when the Red Cross primarily focused on wartime relief, the establishment of a fund to encourage peacetime activities such as relief for natural disasters and disease prevention was groundbreaking and became a forerunner of international development aid. Today, it is widely recognized globally as the world's oldest international humanitarian fund, over 100 years old, dedicated to peacetime humanitarian support activities.
The fund is operated by a Joint Management Committee established within the International Red Cross, supported by donations from Japan, including the Japanese Imperial Family. Without depleting the principal, the investment income generated is distributed to the activities of Red Cross societies worldwide.
Recipients are announced annually around April 11th, Empress Shôken's death anniversary. This year marks the 105th allocation.
## 105th Empress Shôken Fund Supported Projects
### 1. Disaster Prevention and Early Warning
(1) Costa Rican Red Cross: Approx. 6 million JPY (30,000 Swiss Francs)
**Strengthening Resilience Led by Indigenous Volunteers**
By fostering indigenous volunteers and utilizing traditional wisdom alongside modern methods, this project aims to enhance local disaster preparedness and establish a disaster response system applicable to remote indigenous communities.
(2) São Tomé and Príncipe Red Cross: Approx. 6 million JPY (30,000 Swiss Francs)
**Flood Early Warning System**
For regions facing increased disaster risks due to floods, erosion, and climate change, this initiative will introduce an early warning system. It will facilitate the sharing of community-gathered information through easily accessible communication channels, thereby enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
(3) Indonesian Red Cross: Approx. 6 million JPY (30,000 Swiss Francs)
**Building Youth-Led Disaster Prevention Systems**
Combining an AI platform with community-rooted youth support, this project aims to create an environment where disaster-prone regions can access the latest disaster prevention information instantly, establishing a sustainable youth-led disaster prevention system.
(4) Botswana Red Cross: Approx. 5.93 million JPY (29,680 Swiss Francs)
**Reducing Environmental Impact through Waste Recycling**
To prevent environmental degradation and increased flood risks due to inadequate waste management...