All our work is inspired by the humanitarian ideals reflected in our fundamental principles and values and, at the same time, advances development. We have consolidated the direction and progress that were initiated under Strategy 2010 by focusing our vision on three mutually-reinforcing aims for the next decade (known as “Strategy 2020”).
The first strategic aim recognizes our well known role and renews the commitment to be the world’s leading actor in humanitarian action. The second and third strategic aims build on established service strengths and resolve to do more to promote development by preventing and reducing the underlying causes of vulnerability.
Strategic Aim 1: Save lives, protect livelihoods and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises
A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community through widespread losses and disruption that exceed its capacity to cope using its own resources. It is our basic obligation to be well-prepared to use all effective means to help wherever and whenever this is needed:
- Preparing and responding to disaster and crises
- Recovering from disasters and crises
- Our Disaster Management System
Strategic Aim 2: Enable healthy and safe living
Our specific contribution to sustainable development is through strengthening community resilience. This is the ability to adapt and cope with recurrent or prolonged disasters and crises, as well as with wider socio-economic changes, which enables people to protect and build on the development gains that have already been made. We strengthen community resilience through:
Red Cross and Development
For us, development means that everyone is able to achieve their full potential, and lead productive and creative lives with dignity according to their needs and choices, whilst fulfilling their obligations and realizing their rights. Achieving this requires a shift in attitude and a change of mind-set about the way that we live our lives. It also requires building appropriate social and institutional capacities. It is imperative that development is sustainable through the responsible use of resources so that current needs can be met without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future generations.
Strategic Aim 3: Social inclusion and a culture of non violence and peace
The most prevalent vulnerabilities arise not only from disasters and diseases but also from complex factors such as grievances that are born from deprivation and unfairness, marginalization that is rooted in inequality, alienation and injustice, or despair that comes from loneliness, ignorance and poverty. All too often, these are expressed through violence against oneself and others, and may be magnified into wider conflict within and between communities and nations.
