Members of the Zhejiang Rescue Team of Ramunion take part in disaster relief work in Hengzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, in July 2026. [Photo provided by Ramunion]

Zhejiang Ramunion Public Welfare and Rescue Association was granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in June, becoming the first social organization in Zhejiang province to receive the status.

ECOSOC unanimously approved the association's application in January, and the United Nations sent formal confirmation in June.

ECOSOC is a central UN body responsible for coordinating economic, social, and related work across the UN system and its specialized agencies. More than 80 social organizations on the Chinese mainland currently hold consultative status with the council.

Founded in Hangzhou in 2003, the association began forming the Zhejiang Rescue Team of Ramunion in 2008. It has since carried out nearly 300 rescue operations, including more than 20 major overseas humanitarian relief missions in South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

The association now has branches in more than 10 provinces in China and has completed local registration in 22 countries and regions with support from overseas Chinese communities.

With special consultative status, the association plans to make greater use of UN mechanisms and expand its humanitarian work beyond on-site rescue to include aid delivery, post-disaster reconstruction, and capacity building for overseas rescue operations.