Today is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, a time to celebrate the bravery and achievements of our volunteers and staff around the world, whose life-saving and life-changing services ensure that we keep our commitment to humanity every day.
One in 65 people in the world is helped by the Red Cross or Red Crescent each year. Often putting their lives at risk, teams deliver aid in line with seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
Around the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is providing a wide range of services to the most vulnerable people in all types of contexts - from responding to needs in disaster and conflict situations, to providing assistance in urban centers and hard-to-reach areas and advocating on behalf of those in need.
A global and independent network of about 11.7 million active volunteers and 450,000 staff, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is working within communities in more than 190 countries. Our volunteers and staff come from all around the world and provide diverse assistance to 160 million people.
Together, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams not only respond to emergencies—such as earthquakes, conflicts, migration crises, and health epidemics—but also help neighborhoods prepare for future disasters and ensure that children receive the vaccines they need to stay healthy. Our network is active in nearly country and are in some of the most dangerous places— a true front-line organization that helps those most impacted by conflict and disaster.
For example, six months after a series of deadly earthquakes, nearly half a million people in west, north and east Lombok, Indonesia, are staying in small shelters they have cobbled together from plastic, tarpaulins or materials salvaged from their nearby damaged or destroyed houses. See how the Red Cross is helping.
Drawing on more than 150 years of humanitarian action, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is committed to providing relevant and timely humanitarian service to vulnerable communities now and into the future. On World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day and throughout 2019, we celebrate the strength and reach of our global network, and the contributions of our staff and volunteers through the theme #Love.
Visit here for more information on the American Red Cross International Services.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
