The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) works globally to help 160 million people every year with and in support of 192-member National Societies. The IFRC’s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world. There is a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in almost every country in the world and we support them both in their programming and in developing their capacities as strong, local organisations.

The IFRC network is more relevant and needed than ever. While the full impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic is unfolding, more and more people are seeking assistance from the Red Cross and Red Crescent. National Societies and the IFRC Secretariat must adapt and adjust to new ways of working to assist them. COVID-19 is directly affecting people and health systems and having a massive impact on the socio-economic situation of millions of people. Marginalization and exclusion have been exacerbated, pushing an estimated 176 million people into poverty, and between 71 to 100 million people into extreme poverty.