International Social Services

 

A Guinea Red Cross volunteer registers children 
to make sure each child is present to receive 
their life-saving measles vaccine.

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.

International Social Services
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International Red Cross and 
Red Crescent Movement

Learn More About Red Cross International Social Services

Tracing and Red Cross Messages

Geneva Conventions & 
International Humanitarian Law

Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Holocaust and War Victims 
Tracing Center

Landmines

Red Cross Role in Times of War

Volunteer Opportunities

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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.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (often called the Federation) is an umbrella organization of national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that coordinate relief efforts throughout the world occurring outside the theatre of war and other forms of armed conflict.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross are part of the largest humanitarian aid network in the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Guided by its seven Fundamental Principles – Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality – this international movement brings emergency relief to victims of disasters and conflicts, and improves basic living conditions of those in chronically deprived areas of the world.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. No other member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the American Red Cross, has that unique and challenging role.

The ICRC acts as the guardian of the Geneva Conventions, reminding all parties involved in conflict to adhere to the protections outlined in the conventions for prisoners of war, wounded and sick combatants, and civilians.