International Federation

of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

To improve the lives

of
vulnerable people
by mobilizing
the power of
 International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Red Cross and Red Crescent

Movement: how it started
 1859
- battle of Solferino - Henry Dunant
 1863
- International Committee for Relief of the
Wounded (later the International
Committee
of the Red Cross)
- first International Conference (Geneva)
- creation of National Committees for Relief
to Wounded Soldiers
 1919
- Henry Davison initiated founding of the
League
of Red Cross Societies to improve the
health
of populations after World War I
Henry Dunant - founding National Societies: American,
British, French, Italian and Japanese
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Henry Dunant
8 May 1828 – 30 October 1910

May 8
– International
Red Cross Red Crescent
Day
(since 1953)
 International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Monument to H.Dunant in Budapest

International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Seven Fundamental Principles

of the Movement

Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary
service
Unity
Universality
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

0
Our vision:

We strive,
through voluntary
action,
for a world of
empowered
communities,
better able to address
human suffering and
crises with hope, respect
for dignity and
a concern for equity
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Red Cross

and Red Crescent Movement

 National Red Cross and Red

Crescent Societies“National
Societies”

 International Federation of Red

Cross
and Red Crescent Societies
“International Federation”

 International Committee of the Red

ICRC Cross “ICRC”
 International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The emblems
 The red cross and the
red crescent are two of
the most recognized
symbols in the world.

 But they are more than

just that. They are
protective emblems and
their use is enshrined in
international
humanitarian law.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The emblems
 The red crystal was
adopted by the
States at the
Diplomatic
Conference in
2005.
 It stands alongside
the red cross and
red crescent, with
equal status.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

National Societies
what they do

 National Societies act as auxiliaries

to the public authorities of their
own countries in the humanitarian
field.

 They provide a range of services

including
- disaster relief,
- health and social programmes,
- assistance to people affected by
war.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Growth in Federation membership

1919 5
Member National
1920 31 Societies
1930 53
1940 61
1950 68
1960 84
1970 111
1980 126
1990 148
2003 181
2005 183
2007 186
0 50 100 150 200
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Setting
directions
Every day millions of
volunteers worldwide assist
people in need.

Their activities are defined

in the International
Federation’s
Strategy 2010, and in
National Societies’ strategic
plans.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Strategy 2010:
four core areas for
action
 Promotion of
fundamental
principles and
humanitarian values
 Disaster response
 Disaster preparedness
 Health and care
in the community
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Federation
of the Future
The Federation of the Future process
defines how the organization works
together to achieve our mission of
alleviating human suffering.

Millions of people stand to benefit

from a strong, focused and relevant
Federation which is outward-looking
and engaged.

Our impact in the world is increased

when it functions well and works
together effectively.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

 1.3 billion people do not

have access to pure
water
 3 billion people live in
anti sanitary conditions

 Over 1 million people a

year die of malaria

 Tuberculosis

 HIV and AIDS

 Natuaral disasters
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

A global agenda
 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.
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Key figures
 Some 65 million
beneficiaries assisted
through humanitarian
programmes yearly.
 97 million members and
volunteers, of whom 20
million are active volunteers
 186 National Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Appeals – the main

source of funding
 Annual appeal
 humanitarian assistance
for enduring emergencies
 building capacities to serve
the community
 global programmes

 Emergency appeals
 after a disaster occurs and needs
exceed capacities of the National
Society
 launched at the request of the
National Society operations with
fixed objectives, open to revision
 International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

10 largest donors (as of April 2006)

Contibutions in cash, kind, and services in response to appeals 2005, in million of Swiss Francs
 International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Breakdown of 2006/2007 appeals by

category
Total sought 429.7 million of Swiss francs (as of December 2005)

Coordination
and
implementation
8%
Organizational Health and care
development 48%
15%
Humanitarian
value
3%
Disaster
management
26%
 International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Appeals & Main Operations Coordinated by The

Federation 1919 - 2006

Africa
722

574 Asia & Pacific

Europe & Central Asia

321

The Americas
267

Middle East and North Africa

218

Multi regions
97

2204
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Appeals & Main Operations Coordinated by The

Federation 1919 - 2006

565 Floods, cyclones, storms

438 Socio economic problems

335 Population movements

215 Food security, droughts

180 Earthquakes, volcanoes

216 Mixed regional programmes

133 Health & care

122 General assistance / other disasters

2204
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Hungarian Red Cross

International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

 Training in first aid

International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Psychosocial support training