International Services

The American Red Cross works with a global network of Red Cross, Red Crescent and equivalent societies to restore hope and dignity to the world's vulnerable people. This international Red Cross movement brings emergency relief to disaster victims and improves basic living conditions of those in chronically deprived areas of the world. Guided by our seven Fundamental Principles — Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality — the American Red Cross partners with countless organizations in the efficient and effective relief of human suffering and the empowerment of people with the skills they need to help themselves.

The members of the International Red Cross Movement including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (Federation), and national societies like the American Red Cross or Mexican Red Cross, work together toward common goals during times of crisis or disaster. Programs are designed to meet ever-changing humanitarian needs and improve the human condition.

The American Red Cross is currently working with our sister societies in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Americas and in the former Soviet Union. With the generous support of the American people, the American Red Cross has developed into one of the strongest and most respected humanitarian service organizations in the world.

Based on the needs of the world's most vulnerable people and the organization's responsibility and capacity to provide humanitarian assistance, the American Red Cross has developed six areas of expertise:

* Emergency Disaster Response
* Primary Health Care Programs
* Food Programming
* Tracing and Red Cross Messages
* Dissemination of International Humanitarian Law

For more information, please visit the International Services page of the Red Cross' national website.