The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization. Our vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by our 189 National Red Cross and Red Crescent 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.
The IFRC carries out relief operations to assist people affected by disasters and crises, and combines this with development work to strengthen the capacities of its member National Societies. The IFRC's work focuses on four core areas: promoting humanitarian values, disaster response, disaster preparedness and health and community care.
The role of the secretariat in Geneva is to coordinate and mobilize relief assistance for international emergencies, promote cooperation between National Societies, and represent these National Societies in the international field.
The role of the secretariat in the field delegations is to assist and advise National Societies with relief operations, advise on development programmes, and encourage regional cooperation.