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Founded
1919
Headquarters
Geneva
Bodies
The
General Assembly is the supreme governing body. It meets every two years and is made up of representatives of member national societies. Between the General Assemblies, the Governing Board meets
twice a year.
Direction
President : M. J. M. Suarez del Toro; Secretary General: Markku Niskala
Personnel
more
than 60 delegations in 14 regions of the world
Finances
The
budget of the Secretariat is financed by statutory contributions from the national societies, fixed deductions of 6.5% on annual and emergency appeals and
voluntary contributions by governments, national societies and individual donors.
Link
http://www.ifrc.org/
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC, is the biggest humanitarian organization in the world. It provides its assistance without discrimination against nationality, race, religion, class or political opinion. It is made up of 185 national member societies including the Swiss Red Cross. In countries where the majority of the population is Moslem, the red crescent insignia is used instead of the red cross.
| Main tasks of the IFRC |
The main strength of the IFRC is in its unique network of national societies covering nearly the whole world. The IFRC mission includes improving the living conditions of
vulnerable groups whose very survival is threatened. This often includes refugees and victims of natural catastrophes, of poverty leading to socio-economic crises and of health crises.
The IFRC coordinates aid operations of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at times of natural catastrophes. Ancillary to these operations it is involved in
development activities to strengthen the capacities of national societies. Its work follows four essential lines: the promotion of humanitarian values, action during disasters, disaster preparedness,
health and assistance to people at the community level.
|
The IFRC and Switzerland |
For several years, within the scope of Switzerland's humanitarian aid, the Confederation has been making a financial contribution to the IFRC Secretariat in Geneva, in particular earmarked to
supporting the institutional strengthening of the International Federation. In 2006 this contribution has amounted to CHF 750 000.
Switzerland also provides the IFRC with funding through the SDC’s Humanitarian Aid Department. These funds are used for operational activities: either long-term programmes to build
local and regional capcities (e.g. disaster response capabilities) or relief efforts after a disaster has occured and calls for assistance have been made. A part of this financial aid goes through
the Swiss Red Cross, whose president is one of the vice-presidents of the IFRC.
Additional Information and Documents
- 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
- With the climate out of control, prevention is also cure