Australian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement with millions of members and volunteers operating in 191 countries.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is made up of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 191 National Societies, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Our Movement's mission is to prevent or reduce human suffering, wherever it is found. Our Fundamental Principles guide us in this mission.

Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies

National Societies embody the work and principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 191 countries.

National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field providing a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programs, and educating people about international humanitarian law or the laws of war.

During wartime, National Societies assist affected civilian populations and support army medical services where appropriate.

A directory of all Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies navigate_next

International Committee of the Red Cross

The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.

The ICRC promotes the importance of international humanitarian law and draws attention to universal humanitarian principles.

As the custodian of the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC has a permanent mandate under international law to visit prisons, organise relief operations, reunite separated families and undertake other humanitarian activities during armed conflicts.

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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The Federation is a global humanitarian organisation, which coordinates and directs international assistance following natural and man-made disasters in non-conflict situations. The Federation provides support and policy guidance to the 191 Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies that are members of the International Movement

Its relief operations are combined with development work, including disaster preparedness programs, health and care activities, and the promotion of humanitarian values. In particular, it supports programs on risk reduction and fighting the spread of diseases, such as HIV, tuberculosis, avian influenza and malaria.

The organisation also works to combat discrimination and violence, and assistance for migrants.

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