Advocacy hub

Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are auxiliaries to the public authorities in the humanitarian field. They have a special responsibility to support their authorities to develop policies that protect vulnerable people, particularly from disasters and crises. The IFRC serves as their representative in global and regional policy fora, working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Explore our global advocacy priorities

Climate crisis

Climate change is not only a threat to the future of our planet, it is already driving humanitarian crises around the world. We are calling for urgent action to save lives now and in the years to come.

Supporting people on the move

Around the world, migrants and displaced persons are facing unacceptable risks to their lives, health and dignity.

Community focus for global health risks

Community-level health volunteers and activities are vital to addressing the most pressing global health risks.

Disaster law

Well-designed laws and policies are among the strongest tools in fighting disasters and adapting to climate change.

Localization

We believe in local action for global good. Our National Societies are trusted, locally-led organizations reaching people others cannot.

World Disasters Report 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest disaster in living memory, on almost any measure. More than 6.5 million people are confirmed to have died in less than three years, and the pandemic’s indirect impacts have touched the lives of virtually every community on the planet. Our World Disasters Report 2022 focuses on the coronavirus pandemic and preparedness: both the ways preparedness ahead of COVID-19 was inadequate, and how the world can prepare more effectively for future public health emergencies. For the IFRC, preparedness encompasses preventing, responding to, and recovering from an emergency. Being truly prepared therefore means being ready to respond, to recover, and to learn lessons for next time. In other words, preparedness is an ongoing, continuous process. We can save lives simply by being prepared. The next pandemic could be just around the corner: if the experience of COVID-19 won’t quicken our steps toward preparedness, what will? This report is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic below and in Russian here.You can also scroll down to download the executive summary or individual chapters in English.

Our representative offices

IFRC Delegation to the UN

The IFRC Delegation to the United Nations in New York represents the interests of the IFRC to the UN Secretariat and UN Member States. Through influencing and positioning work at the UN and partnerships with UN Member States, National Societies, ICRC and other actors, the IFRC Delegation, as a Permanent Observer to the UN, persuades decision-makers and opinion leaders to act in the interest of people and communities in vulnerable situations, with full respect for humanitarian principles.

Contact details

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @IFRC_NYC

Telephone: +1 (212) 338 0161

Address: 420 Lexington Avenue Suite, 905 New York, NY 10170, USA

Red Cross EU Office

The Red Cross EU Office is a membership office representing the 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It helps to coordinate relations between its members and EU decision-makers and stakeholders, sharing the Red Cross Red Crescent's extensive experience and expertise in supporting vulnerable people and communities within and outside the EU.

Find out more on the Red Cross EU Office website.

To read their latest advocacy positions and publications, click here.

Contact details

Twitter: @RedCrossEU

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 235 06 80

Address: Red Cross EU Office, Rue de Trèves 59-61, 1040, Brussels, Belgium

IFRC at the African Union

The IFRC at the African Union office advocates for more effective humanitarian action to improve services to vulnerable communities. It collaborates with the African Union, international organizations and diplomatic missions to build an prosperous and peaceful Africa.

Find out more on the IFRC at the African Union website.

Contact details

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +251 11 518 60 60/61/72

Address: Jomo Kenyatta Street. Zequala Bld. 5th Floor. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia