© ICRC / Martin Hahn / il-n-00061-01
Hébron, 2001. The ICRC and the Palestinian Red Crescent distribute food parcels donated by the Kuwait Red Crescent.
The ICRC works with Red Cross and Red Crescent societies worldwide to enhance and build upon their capacities so that they can fulfil their responsibilities as members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: to provide humanitarian services in their respective countries.
These cooperation programmes focus on: preparing to assist those affected by conflict and internal strife (preparedness and response); promoting international humanitarian law and spreading knowledge of the principles, ideals and activities of the Movement; and restoring family links as part of the worldwide Red Cross and Red Crescent tracing network.
This mutually supportive relationship and the coordination of capacities ensure that victims of conflict receive wider and more efficient services. The ICRC's accumulated knowledge and expertise form a solid basis on which national societies can build their capacity in the three programme areas mentioned. In return, the ICRC benefits from national societies' knowledge of the local context, conditions, people and culture and from their infrastructure.
Special issue of the International Review of the Red Cross, June 1998
See also the section International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Key document
