The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is a global humanitarian network comprising 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Established in 1919, the IFRC coordinates international relief efforts, promotes humanitarian principles, and supports community resilience worldwide.
The IFRC’s primary mission is to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote all forms of humanitarian activities by its member National Societies. This includes disaster response, health and social programmes, and efforts to strengthen community resilience. The organisation reaches approximately 160 million people annually through various services and development programmes.
Strategically, the IFRC is guided by Strategy 2030, which outlines priorities such as climate action, crisis and disaster response, health and well-being, migration, and values, power, and inclusion. This strategy aims to address evolving humanitarian challenges and enhance the effectiveness of the IFRC network.
The governance structure of the IFRC includes a General Assembly, the highest decision-making body comprising representatives from all member National Societies. Between General Assemblies, the Governing Board oversees operations, while the Secretariat, led by the Secretary General, manages day-to-day activities. The Secretariat operates from Geneva, Switzerland, with regional offices in Panama, Nairobi, Beirut, Budapest, and Kuala Lumpur, supporting a decentralized approach to global humanitarian efforts.
In terms of sustainable finance, the IFRC has implemented innovative financial mechanisms to support its humanitarian work. For instance, in 2024, the IFRC activated a multi-disaster insurance policy, disbursing over 7 million Swiss francs to aid 1.5 million disaster victims in countries like Nigeria and Nepal. This initiative highlights the IFRC’s commitment to developing financial strategies that enhance disaster response capabilities.
The IFRC provides various resources, including research reports, policy guidelines, and practical tools, to support its mission and the work of National Societies. These resources focus on areas such as disaster risk reduction, health emergencies, and community resilience, contributing to the global humanitarian knowledge base.
Overall, the IFRC plays a pivotal role in coordinating international humanitarian efforts, promoting sustainable financial practices, and supporting vulnerable communities worldwide through its extensive network of National Societies and volunteers.
The mission of the IFRC is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies.
