National Societies come together globally in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to represent our shared beliefs and joint efforts, knowing that the chances of improving the lives of vulnerable people are increasingly influenced by the globalizing forces of an interconnected and interdependent world. Headquartered in Geneva, the International Federation is guided by its constitution and governed by a General Assembly of National Societies that decides on its policies, and the rules and obligations of membership. This convenes every two years and elects a president and a Governing Board to oversee our work in between General Assembly meetings.
The International Federation is a component of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Statutes and Strategy of the Movement define specific roles, strengthen cooperation and coherence between components, enhance their shared identity, and elevate their combined effectiveness and efficiency in the service of mankind. Every two years, the Council of Delegates brings together the Movement to consider common action and advocacy. Every four years, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent brings together the Movement and the world's states signatory to the Geneva Conventions to deliberate on major humanitarian issues.
In the Caribbean, the national Red Cross societies are assisted by the International Federation Secretariat, with regional offices based in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic, with support from the Americas Zone Office based in Panama. The IFRC secretariat provides services that include international coordination of disaster relief, capacity-building of National Societies, enhancing their role as auxiliaries to government, as well as promotion of international cooperation.
