It’s easy to feel a sense of hopelessness these days – climate crises, people on the verge of starvation in parts of Africa, multiple wars, protracted conflicts, people having to leave their homes out of desperation, shameful cases of exclusion in many parts of the world, rising mental health crises, people not having basic access to water and sanitation. This list can go on and on.

While these crises are affecting everyone, the marginalized, excluded, and last mile communities are bearing the brunt of these crises disproportionately.

Some 43 years ago, I signed up to be a young volunteer of the Nepal Red Cross. I joined not knowing how my life would unfold and where this would lead. I didn’t fully understand then, but I do now – the mission and mandate of our IFRC network, and the fundamental principles that guide our work with a very simple vision--to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Three years ago, we didn’t know the scale of impact of a global pandemic, international armed conflict in the middle of Europe and all other global crises we have been responding to.

In this context, let me share some of my reflections on the current state of play.

An IFRC delegate surveys damage in Ghalid Hussain Ghadi village in Sindh province, Pakistan, following intense flooding.

Photo: IFRC/Olivier Matthys

Reflection on the IFRC’s mandate and relevance

As the world grapples with “polycrisis”, our mandate becomes as relevant as ever, if not more.

The IFRC is at the forefront of humanitarian efforts in times of disaster, crises, and other emergencies. By providing immediate assistance and long-term sustainable development programmes, the IFRC network puts people at the centre of vital, life-saving assistance.

We work to strengthen the resilience of communities in vulnerable settings, ensuring they are better prepared for and better able to cope with our changing world. In a time of great global disparities in terms of access to services, we bridge the gap.

The role of truly local organizations like our member National Societies is critical to reach the most disadvantaged sections of societies. Localization is fundamental as crises grow; but resources do not keep pace with them. Business as usual is not going to work. True empowerment of community organizations and decolonization of aid will be critical in 2023 and beyond.

Philippine Red Cross volunteers brave floodwaters and hike challenging terrain to deliver essential supplies to families affected by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in August 2022.

Photo: Philippine Red Cross

Reflection on our fundamental principles, particularly the principle of neutrality

The threat to our principles, particularly the principle of neutrality, lies in the fact that the international armed conflict in Ukraine has taken on a much-heightened political dimension. This has placed great pressure on the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

We must maintain a neutral stance and perform impartial aid operations, to ensure our principle of neutrality is observed. While we remain sensitive to the challenges emerging out of the conflict and we will be doing everything in our capacity to deliver on our mandate, it is essential that our fundamental principles remain the bedrock of our actions. Failing to do so will irreparably damage the notion of neutral, independent humanitarian action.

Amid rapid changes in the global humanitarian landscape, one thing remains constant – that’s our fundamental principles. Our values and principles transcend all the divisions that exist in the world.

Three female Pakistan Red Crescent volunteers attend training on how to distribute critical relief items to those impacted by flooding in August 2022. Training includes learning about protection, gender and inclusion, community engagement and how to maintain the dignity of affected people throughout the distribution cycle.

Photo: IFRC/Katie Hope

Reflection on current trends

We closely monitor the global trends that impact our work. Climate and Environmental crises have been at the forefront. Social issues like the erosion of trust, migration and displacement, inequality, global health and food crises are directly linked to our mandate. Economic issues like the cost-of-living crisis and energy crises will impact our work. Technological issues, like the opportunity created by digitalization as well as the risks arising from the digital divide and those linked to humanitarian data security, will have to be considered. We must also be mindful of the global political landscape and current lack of global political leadership able to deal with multiple crises.

The international armed conflict in Ukraine will significantly impact the geopolitical landscape and will exacerbate the humanitarian situation across the globe. We must be humble enough to acknowledge that there is no humanitarian solution to most of these crises. There must be a political solution and we must support and advocate for the same.

A Slovak Red Cross volunteer offers a little boy from Ukraine some snacks at a Humanitarian Service Point in Hummene, Slovakia, in March 2022.

Photo: IFRC/Marko Kokic

Reflection on our ambitions

Our ambitions are simple as we deal with these trends.

• We will continue to be bold in our support to our membership both on humanitarian action and in building resilience.
• We will work harder to build a trustful relationship with our membership and governance structure.
• We will invest more in National Society transformations leveraging the power of youth and volunteers. Advancing gender and inclusion will require consistent push.
• We must do more to be a learning organization that continuously evolves. Within the family, we will continue to build mutually respectful movement cooperation.
• We will expand our humanitarian diplomacy efforts and further strengthen our highly professional partnership with all partners. Further building on the new operating model and new resourcing architecture, we will develop more inclusive IFRC wide approaches.
• We will accelerate our digitalization journey.
• We will continue to strengthen agility and accountability. Respectful workplace, issues of fraud and corruption, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, racism, and discrimination will be dealt with proactively and decisively.

A Sierra Leone Red Cross volunteer dons personal protective equipment to help people during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014.

Photo: IFRC/Katherine Mueller

The world is full of daunting challenges. But it is also full of people and organizations committed to confront them and work together to bring about positive change. We are one of those organizations.

We will lead from the front, working with our membership and their volunteers. We will be bold in our actions, but calm and composed in our approaches. 

There will of course be challenges along the way, but we will always move forward with integrity. We will have to be at our best when the challenges are the greatest. And we will have to always bring hope amid hopelessness.

A group of female Sri Lanka Red Cross Society volunteers smile as they walk along together in their volunteering uniforms.

Photo: Sri Lanka Red Cross Society