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The American Red Cross helps vulnerable
people around the world to prevent, prepare for, and respond to
disasters, complex humanitarian emergencies, and life-threatening
health conditions.
The American Red Cross accomplishes this
goal by working within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement—the world’s largest humanitarian network with 181
national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and more than 100 million
volunteers. In all our work, we abide by the seven fundamental
principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary
service, unity, and universality.
The American Red Cross works to build the
local capacities of our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent societies by
strengthening their leadership, financial management, volunteer
networks, and technical capabilities. We also work with our Movement
partners to train and organize volunteers and educate communities to
empower them with the skills and knowledge they need to help
themselves. To ensure that programs are comprehensive, the American Red
Cross establishes partnerships with other public and private
organizations whose capabilities strengthen and complement our
initiatives.
International Services initiatives focus
on primary health care, emergency response and preparedness, restoring
family links, and the dissemination of international humanitarian law.
For each of these priority areas, we promote cost-effective,
community-based programs, which target large numbers of people with
humanitarian aid that is rapid, effective, and large-scale.
Primary health care – Our primary health initiatives focus on
reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating
infectious diseases.
Emergency response and preparedness – Our emergency response activities focus on
relief supply distribution, water and sanitation services, and family
linking. We also implement disaster preparedness programs to create
more resilient communities with decreased dependence on external relief
assistance.
Restoring family links – In collaboration with the International
Committee of the Red Cross and 181 national societies, the American Red
Cross works to locate loved ones who are missing due to war, natural
disaster, or civil unrest and sends Red Cross messages between
separated family members.
Dissemination of International
Humanitarian Law – The
American Red Cross educates the American public about the guiding
principles of international humanitarian law, as set forth by the
Geneva Conventions of 1949.
The American Red Cross is currently
working with our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent societies on
projects related to health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and
disaster preparedness throughout the world.
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