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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent SocietiesLink to Address of OrganizationWeb Address of this Organization

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was founded in 1919 (as the League of the Red Cross, a name inspired by the League of Nations) in order to bring together individual Red Cross Societies into an international structure capable of organizing large-scale relief operations. In mid-2000, it had 176 member-societies around the world: national Red Cross Societies and Red Crescent Societies (in Muslim countries). The Federation's Secretary General is Didier Cherpitel of France.

Much of the Federation's work is concerned with mobilizing world help in times of disaster. When a country is ravaged by major population movement, hurricane, earthquake, flood, or epidemic, the local Red Cross/Red Crescent society appeals to the Federation for help. The Federation sends relief supplies from its strategically located emergency warehouses, calls on other member-societies to send help to a stricken area, launches international appeals for funds in aid of victims, and coordinates overall relief efforts. It also cares for refugees outside areas of conflict. The Federation works closely with private nongovernmental groups and UN agencies, such as the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Federation also helps with training programs for national societies, in first aid, nursing, and early warning systems designed to avert the worst effects of natural disasters. It helps in the fight against AIDS by providing information and educational materials, particularly in developing countries, and by ensuring the safety of blood supplies within existing Red Cross services in these countries. Programs to combat drug abuse, especially among young people, have also been a Federation concern for over a decade.

Budget: The Federation's Appeal 2000-2001 seeks 314 million Swiss francs to assist a total of 33 million people worldwide. In addition to the global appeal, separate emergency appeals are launched throughout the year as new disasters occur.

Internet
www.ifrc.org
On-line info: Description International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, press releases, links to disaster information sources and to national societies

Address
The International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies
P.O. Box 372
17, chemin des Crets
CH-1211 Geneva 19
Tel. 730.4222
Fax. 733.0395