Our mission and role

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

Founded in 1919, the International Federation comprises 185 member Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, a Secretariat in Geneva and more than 60 delegations strategically located to support activities around the world.

The Federation's regional office in Panama and the regional representation office in Port of Spain, Trinidad, together serve 16 National Societies - including, Belize, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, S. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Guyana and Suriname Red Cross - and 16 overseas British, French, Netherlands and US Red Cross branches and committees. We also have a country office in Port au Prince, Haiti.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity. The role of the regional delegation is to assist and advise National Societies with relief operations, development programmes and encourage regional co-operation. Based on Strategy 2010, we focus our work on four core areas: promoting humanitarian values, disaster response, disaster preparedness, and health and community care.

The Federation, together with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement