For an update about how the American Red Cross is helping in Haiti, click here.

Kaga Bandoro, Central African Republic. Working alongside the Central African Republic Red Cross, the ICRC distributes essential household items to families forced to leave their homes. ©ICRC/J. Björgvinsson

In the last decade, almost two billion people around the world have been affected by disasters and are in great need. The American Red Cross is there to help people around the world. We help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters, complex humanitarian emergencies, and life-threatening health conditions. The organization also works to develop programs to educate on international humanitarian relief, as well as raises money to support global relief efforts.

The American Red Cross accomplishes this goal by working within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement — the world’s largest humanitarian network with more than 180 Red Cross & Red Crescent national societies and more than 100 million volunteers. In all our work, we abide by the seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

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.

For information on the trainings offered through International Services, click on the links below.