About the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The Red Cross ideology of saving the wounded without distinction between friend or foe, advocated by its founder Henry Dunant in 1862, is carried on by three organizations: the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of various countries, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). These three organizations make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

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  International Committee of the Red Cross

  The lead organization for disaster and medical assistance in conflict-affected areas. It collaborates with other partner organizations of the Red Cross Movement to carry out its mission. Together, they work to distribute emergency supplies to refugees, track displaced families, provide medical services, etc., while disseminating International Humanitarian Law.

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  National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

  There are Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies in 191 countries and regions worldwide (as of August 2024). The Societies are primarily engaged in domestic activities that uphold human dignity, including initiatives related to medical care, welfare, education, and natural disasters. The Japanese Red Cross Society is one such organization.

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  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

  The IFRC is the federation that unites the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It tackles numerous issues related to natural disasters, migration, and the health and welfare sectors on a global scale through the provision of support and the development of human resources for each society. The IFRC has the world's largest humanitarian support network, with approximately 16 million volunteers involved in a variety of activities at any given time.

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