International Services initiatives focus on primary health care, emergency response and preparedness, restoring family links, and the dissemination of international humanitarian law. For each of these priority areas, we promote cost-effective, community-based programs, which target large numbers of people with humanitarian aid that is rapid, effective, and large-scale.

The American Red Cross accomplishes its mission by working within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world’s largest humanitarian network. This network consists of more than 180 Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies and more than 100 million volunteers.

The American Red Cross works to build the local capacities of our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent societies by strengthening their leadership, financial management, volunteer networks, and technical capabilities. We also work with our Movement partners to train and organize volunteers and educate communities to empower them with the skills and knowledge they need to help themselves. To ensure that programs are comprehensive, the American Red Cross establishes partnerships with other public and private organizations whose capabilities strengthen and complement our initiatives.

Primary Health Care
Our primary health initiatives focus on reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating infectious diseases.

Emergency Response and Preparedness
Our emergency response activities focus on relief supply distribution, water and sanitation services, and family linking. We also implement disaster preparedness programs to create more resilient communities with decreased dependence on external relief assistance.

Restoring Family Links
In collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross and more than 180 national societies, the American Red Cross works to locate loved ones who are missing due to war, natural disaster, or civil unrest and sends Red Cross messages between separated family members.

Dissemination of International Humanitarian Law
The American Red Cross educates the American public about the guiding principles of international humanitarian law, as set forth by the Geneva Conventions of 1949.

The American Red Cross is currently working with our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent societies on projects related to health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and disaster preparedness throughout the world.