To achieve the general object as defined in Article 4 of the Constitution, in conformity with the Fundamental Principles and in the context of the Statutes of the Movement and the resolutions of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (the "International Conference"), the functions of the International Federation shall be the following:

A. Services to National Societies:

• a) act as the permanent body of liaison, co-ordination and study among the National Societies and to give them assistance;
• b) encourage and promote in every country the establishment and development of an independent and duly recognised National Society;
• c) assist the National Societies in risk reduction, in disaster preparedness, in the organisation of their relief actions and in relief operations themselves;
• d) encourage and co-ordinate the participation of the National Societies in activities for safeguarding public health and the promotion of social welfare in co-operation with their appropriate national authorities;
• e) encourage and co-ordinate between National Societies the exchange of ideas for the education of children and young people in humanitarian ideals and for the development of friendly relations between children and young people of all countries, and to share good practices for the participation of youth in volunteer services and decision-making processes; and
• f) assist National Societies to recruit volunteers and members from the population as a whole and to promote awareness and understanding of the Fundamental Principles and ideals of the Movement to them and to the general public.

B. Humanitarian activities:

• a) bring relief by all available means to all disaster- affected persons;
• b) organise, co-ordinate and direct international relief actions in accordance with the "Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Disaster Relief" adopted by the International Conference;
• c) bring relief to victims of armed conflicts, to assist in the promotion and the development of international humanitarian law and to disseminate this law and the Fundamental Principles, in accordance with the agreements concluded with other components of the Movement; and
• d) be the official representative of the National Societies in the international field, among others for dealing with any matters in connection with decisions and recommendations by the General Assembly, and to be the guardian of their integrity and the protector of their interests.