The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest humanitarian network. The Movement is neutral and impartial, and provides protection and assistance to people affected by disasters and conflicts.

The Movement is made up of almost 97 million volunteers, supporters, and staff in 186 countries. It has three main components:

• The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• 186 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

As partners, the different members of the Movement support communities in becoming stronger and safer through a variety of development projects and humanitarian activities. The Movement also works in cooperation with governments, donors and other aid organizations to assist vulnerable people around the world.

The Movement has its own web site, with detailed sections on the history of the Movement, the emblem issue, the International Conference, and Red Cross Red Crescent magazine online.

The Strategy for the Movement (Update 2005) was adopted in 2001 and aims to strengthen the Movement's ability to reach vulnerable people with effective humanitarian action. It outlines objectives and expected results as to how the ICRC, the Federation and National Societies worldwide can all work together. It is available online (PDF file, 2.8 Mb, 34 pages).

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance.

During situations of conflict, the ICRC is responsible for directing and coordinating the Movement's international relief activities. It also promotes the importance of international humanitarian law and draws attention to universal humanitarian principles. As the custodian of the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC has a permanent mandate under international law to visit prisons, organize relief operations, reunite separated families and undertake other humanitarian activities during armed conflicts. The ICRC also works to meet the needs of internally displaced persons, raise public awareness of the dangers of mines and explosive remnants of war and trace people who have gone missing during conflicts.

The ICRC's headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland, and the organization has more than 12,000 staff in 80 countries around the globe. About 30 per cent of the ICRC's operational activities are carried out in cooperation with National Societies.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a global humanitarian organization, which coordinates and directs international assistance following natural and man-made disasters in non-conflict situations. Its mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

The International Federation works with National Societies in responding to catastrophes around the world. Its relief operations are combined with development work, including disaster preparedness programmes, health and care activities, and the promotion of humanitarian values. In particular, it supports programmes on risk reduction and fighting the spread of diseases, such as HIV, tuberculosis, avian influenza and malaria. The organization also works to combat discrimination and violence, and promote human rights and assistance for migrants.

These activities form part of the International Federation's Global Agenda.
Its goals:

• Reduce the number of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
• Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
• Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
• Promote respect for diversity and human dignity, and reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion.

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies embody the work and principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 186 countries. National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes. During wartime, National Societies assist the affected civilian population and support the army medical services where appropriate.

The ICRC, the Federation and the National Societies are independent bodies. Each has its own individual status and exercises no authority over the others.

More information :
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at a glance (PDF document, 784 Kb, 8 pages)
Arabic version (PDF document 445 Kb, 2 pages)