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MISSION & ACTIVITIES OF RED
CRESCENT SOCIETY
by SADATOSHI KOIKE
Introduction
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world provide assistance
without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class
or political opinions. The Red Crescent is used in place of the Red Cross
in many Islamic countries.
Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world founded the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in 1919 with a Secretariat in Geneva.
The Federation has 178 members now and there are more societies in formation.
The unique network of National Societies - which cover almost every country
in the world - is the Federation's principal strength. Cooperation between
National Societies gives the Federation greater potential to develop capacities
and assist those most in need.
Mission and role
Their mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing
the power of humanity. Vulnerable people are those who are at greatest risk
from situations that threaten their survival, or their capacity to live with
an acceptable level of social and economic security and human dignity. Often,
these are victims of natural disasters, poverty brought about by socio-economic
crises, refugees, and victims of health emergencies.
Activities
Their work focuses on four core areas: promoting humanitarian values, disaster
response, disaster preparedness, and health and community care.
Red Cross Red Crescent promotes individual and community humanitarian values
which encourage respect for other human beings and a willingness to work
together to find solutions to problems. The aim is to influence the
behavior of the people they work with.
Disaster response continues to represent the largest portion of the work,
with assistance to around 30 million people annually from refugees to victims
of natural disasters. This section includes the emergency response units
and issues relating to humanitarian policies as they strive to improve the
quality of the immediate response and long-term rehabilitation work.
The sharp increase in the number of natural disasters worldwide in recent
years has prompted them to devote more attention to disaster preparedness
activities. These aim to make National Societies and communities more aware
of the risks they face, how to reduce their vulnerability, and how to cope
when disaster strikes.
Too many people die as a result of no access to even the most basic health
services and elementary health education. Health and community care has become
a cornerstone of humanitarian assistance, and accounts for a large part of
Red Cross Red Crescent spending. These programs aim to enable communities
to reduce their vulnerability to disease, and prepare for and respond to
public health crises.
Examples of their activities are as follows;
• emergency shelter, food and medicine
• water and sanitation
• restoring family contact for disaster victims
• disaster preparedness
• community-based health and care
• first aid training and activities
• control and prevention of diseases
• HIV/AIDS prevention
• blood donor recruitment, collection and supply
• youth and volunteer activities
For further information, see; http://www.ifrc.org/
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