International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a global membership organization that supports national societies and coordinates international assistance during disasters and health emergencies.

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Independent humanitarian organizations recognized within their countries as members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They deliver local services and form the Federation’s membership base.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: A global humanitarian movement comprising the IFRC, the ICRC, and national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. The Federation is one of the Movement’s three components.
Henry Dunant: A Swiss humanitarian whose account of the Battle of Solferino helped inspire the Red Cross movement. His proposals helped establish the movement from which the Federation later emerged.
Disaster risk reduction: Efforts to prevent new disaster risks and reduce existing risks through preparedness, mitigation, and resilience-building. National societies help communities reduce harm before emergencies occur.
American Red Cross: The United States’ national Red Cross society, providing disaster relief, blood services, and other humanitarian programs. It is a national society within the Federation’s global network.
Disaster Response Emergency Fund: A Federation funding mechanism that provides rapid grants to national societies responding to emergencies. It enables early response before larger appeals are fully funded.
International Committee of the Red Cross: An independent organization that protects and assists people affected by armed conflict and promotes international humanitarian law. Its conflict-focused mandate differs from the Federation’s disaster and health coordination role.
Battle of Solferino: An 1859 battle in northern Italy whose wounded soldiers prompted Henry Dunant to advocate organized relief. The suffering Dunant witnessed helped set the movement’s founding process in motion.
Community-based health: Health services and promotion delivered with and through local communities. The Federation supports national societies in delivering locally grounded health programs.
Canadian Red Cross: Canada’s national Red Cross society, delivering humanitarian services and emergency support. It illustrates how an independent national society relates to the Federation.

Linked from 7 pages