The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a global humanitarian network of 80 million people that helps those facing disaster, conflict and health and social problems. It consists of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

A logo for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

A logo has been developed to represent the whole of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

This is an official logo that we will be using under certain circumstances, for example when the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies communicate or raise funds together for a humanitarian emergency, theme or campaign of global concern.

What is the Movement logo?

The Movement logo consists of the red cross and red crescent emblems side by side, together with the words “International” and “Movement”.

You’ll be seeing the logo in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish (the official languages of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent).

What does the Movement logo represent?
It represents the whole Movement – the 190 National Societies, the ICRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It illustrates the reach of our global network.

When will the Movement be using the new logo?
We will use the logo on specific occasions for representation, communication, promotion and fundraising. Any use of the logo requires special approval.

Where won’t we be using the Movement logo?
The Movement logo does not replace the logos of the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies or National Societies.
And we won’t be using it for operational activities. That means we won’t use the Movement logo on things like uniforms, vehicles, equipment or buildings, or on materials distributed to people affected by conflict, disasters or other emergencies.
If you have any questions about this logo, please contact rcrc@ifrc.org.

1. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance.

During situations of conflict, the ICRC is responsible for directing and coordinating the Movement’s international relief activities. It also 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, organize relief operations, reunite separated families and undertake other humanitarian activities during armed conflicts.

The ICRC also works to meet the needs of internally displaced persons, raise public awareness of the dangers of mines and explosive remnants of war and trace people who have gone missing during conflicts.
The ICRC’s headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland, and the organization has more than 12,000 staff in 80 countries around the globe. About 30 per cent of the ICRC’s operational activities are carried out in cooperation with National Societies.

2. National Societies

There are 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world, with more currently being formed. This unique network forms the backbone of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Each National Society is made up of volunteers and staff, who provide a wide variety of services, ranging from disaster relief and assistance for the victims of war, to first aid training and restoring family links.

National Societies support the public authorities in their own countries as independent auxiliaries to the government in the humanitarian field. Their local knowledge and expertise, access to communities, and infrastructure enable the Movement to get the right kind of help where it’s needed, fast.

National Society volunteers are often the first on the scene when a disaster strikes and remain active within affected communities long after everyone else has come and gone.

This unparalleled network of community-based volunteers and staff also plays a vital role in ensuring that care, prevention and preparedness programmes are carried out on a day-to-day basis – from visiting chronically-ill HIV patients in Africa to organizing early warning drills in hurricane-prone areas of the Americas. This local presence and community-based approach, coupled with the Movement’s global outreach, resources and know-how, give the Red Cross and Red Crescent a distinct advantage when it comes to dealing with today’s complex humanitarian challenges.

The promotion of humanitarian values is an intrinsic part of all Red Cross and Red Crescent activities. The National Societies conduct campaigns and speak on behalf of vulnerable people in their own countries. They also promote awareness of international humanitarian law and advocate internationally through the Federation and with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

National Society key facts:

• From 2004 to 2011, 160 million people were supported by 600,000 Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers in disaster response operations.

• The Movement’s 190 National Societies represent about 17 million active volunteers. About half are youth volunteers. Additionally, approximately 50 per cent of the Movement’s volunteers are women.

• Worldwide, National Societies employ around 300,000 people.

• National Society programmes and services address both immediate and long-term needs and include:

– emergency response;
– disaster preparedness;
– community-based health and care;
– first aid training and activities;
– restoring family contact for disaster victims;
– youth and
– volunteer activities

Contact your National Society: Iranian Red Crescent Society

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

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is a global humanitarian organization, which coordinates and directs international assistance following natural and man-made disasters in non-conflict situations. Its mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

The IFRC works with National Societies in responding to catastrophes around the world. Its relief operations are combined with development work, including disaster preparedness programmes, health and care activities, and the promotion of humanitarian values.

In particular, it supports programmes on risk reduction and fighting the spread of diseases, such as HIV, tuberculosis, avian influenza and malaria. The organization also works to combat discrimination and violence, and promote human rights and assistance for migrants.

The strategic aims of the IFRC are:

• Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises
• Enable healthy and safe living
• Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace