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How we work with National Societies

We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world and with their International Federation to ensure a concerted, coordinated and rapid response to the humanitarian impacts of conflict, violence or other emergencies that occur during conflict or other violence. 

The ICRC supplies electronic and logistic gear to the Egyptian Red Crescent, enabling Sudanese arrivals to keep in touch with their families.

How we cooperate with National Societies and the IFRC

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement comprises the ICRC, over 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the IFRC, each operating as a neutral and independent organization and all bound by the same statutes and Fundamental Principles, with the exclusively humanitarian mission of alleviating the suffering of people affected by humanitarian crises.

The ICRC works closely with the other members of the Movement in order to ensure a concerted, coordinated and rapid humanitarian response to armed conflict or violence.

The ICRC also plays an important role in establishing and maintaining dialogue with the parties to a conflict to ensure there is impartial access to all people affected and to provide security and communication support for all members of the Movement present in the country.

The ICRC views cooperation with National Societies and the IFRC as essential, both to fulfilling its own mandate under the Geneva Conventions and to accomplishing the Movement’s humanitarian mission. 

Operational cooperation

In a country affected by armed conflict or violence, the ICRC and the country’s National Society − the ICRC’s primary partner − coordinate operational activities to ensure that the response to the needs of the communities affected is relevant and efficient. This coordination also ensures that other members of the Movement working in the country act in a complementary way. 

Members of the Movement also come together to build the capacity and sustainability of the National Society in the country affected. The ICRC may partner with a National Society operating outside of its own country to deliver humanitarian assistance and protection in coordination with the National Society in the country affected.

Operational cooperation can cover various activities, such as providing first aid and health care, distributing food and providing other forms of humanitarian assistance, and helping family members stay in contact.

Some National Societies contribute financially to the ICRC’s operations or provide staff for our operations.

Strengthening National Societies

Recognizing National Societies are ultimately responsible for their own development, the ICRC is committed to investing in and supporting National Societies to provide a more relevant and sustainable humanitarian response, in close coordination with the IFRC. Therefore, in accordance with our mandate, the ICRC cooperates with National Societies and the IFRC on matters of common concern and in areas where it has particular expertise, such as:

  • conflict preparedness and response
  • promoting international humanitarian law and the Movement’s Fundamental Principles
  • humanitarian assistance and health care for people affected by conflict
  • helping family members stay in contact
  • mine-hazard awareness education
  • increasing National Societies’ acceptance, security and access to communities in need through the Safer Access Framework
  • strengthening the legal bases and statutes of National Societies.

At all times, the ICRC respects National Societies’ independence, strategic priorities, auxiliary role and organizational development plans.

Cooperating to develop Movement policies

Under the auspices of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and together with the IFRC, the ICRC co-organizes the Movement’s statutory meetings, including the development of Movement policies across many sectors that are adopted at the Council of Delegates or at the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Frequently asked questions

  • The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization. We have a mandate to help and protect people affected by armed conflict and other violence or – as our mission statement puts it – “other situations of violence”. When we talk about other violence, we mean violence that has not reached the threshold of an armed conflict but is carried out by large groups and has consequences in humanitarian terms. This mandate was given to us by states through the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005 and the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement of 1986.

    Our mandate and legal status sets us apart from both intergovernmental organizations (such as the specialized agencies of the United Nations) and non-governmental organizations. This status allows us to function independently of governments and to serve, with complete impartiality, the people most in need of protection and assistance.

  • The ICRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which also comprises 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

    The ICRC works closely with National Societies and the IFRC to ensure a concerted, efficient and rapid response to conflict or violence. The Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world.

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