The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), 186 National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) together form the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Movement works in cooperation with governments, donors and other aid organizations to assist vulnerable people affected by natural and man-made disasters, as well as by conflicts around the world. As partners, the different members of the Movement also support communities in becoming stronger and safer through a variety of development projects and humanitarian activities.

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 Continental 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.


The Caribbean has one of the largest regional concentrations of Red Cross entities, consisting of 16 National Red Cross Societies: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross – as well as overseas branches of the British, French, Netherlands and American Red Cross.

The work of these Red Cross Societies is carried out by thousands of local Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and members. These committed individuals are on the front line, delivering humanitarian assistance and supporting vulnerable communities to become stronger and more resilient.

The Red Cross Societies support their public authorities as independent auxiliaries to government in the humanitarian field. In wartime, National Societies also assist affected civilian populations and support army medical services, where appropriate.

Each National Society provides a range of services, which include:

• provision of immediate emergency items
• disaster preparedness and response
• community-based health and care
• first aid