Article 4 of the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, adopted by the 25th International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva in October 1986 and amended by the 26th International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva in December 1995.

ICRC, national societies from 178 countries and their International Federation form the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. All within the Movement share common fundamental principles but are not linked hierarchically. In conflict situations ICRC takes the lead role and directs the work of its partners.

Council of Delegates 2001, Resolution 3

The Seville Agreement - Council of Delegates, Sevilla, 25-27 November 1997

The Fundamental Principles are the result of a century of experience. Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, they bond together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and guarantee the continuity of the Movement and its humanitarian work. In this succinct commentary intended for the general public, Jean Pictet explains the meaning of each of the seven Fundamental Principles; he analyses them on the basis of different criteria and presents all their various aspects, thus making this essential part of Red Cross doctrine accessible to all.

Adopted by the 25th International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva in October 1986 and amended by the 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva in December 1995 and by the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva in June 2006.

Adopted by the 25th International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva in October 1986 and amended by the 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva in December 1995.

The International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is made of several different components all guided by the same seven Fundamental Principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

In armed conflicts and other situations of violence, and in dealing with their direct consequences, the ICRC works closely with the National Societies and their International Federation to respond to humanitarian needs in accordance with the Movement’s Statutes and policies.

The ICRC's neutral and independent humanitarian action is constantly facing new challenges. Every year, millions of people around the world are affected by wars and natural disasters. How do we respond? This film captures the commitment of the ICRC and its partners from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It focuses on seven situations between 2003 and 2005: the conflict in Darfur, the war in Iraq, Nepal, Yemen, the tsunami in South-East Asia, Chechnya and the earthquake in Pakistan.

This film, combining colourful animation with recent images, brings to life the history of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement from Henry Dunant and the Battle of Solferino through to today. Ideal for a general audience, the film explains, in simple terms, the meaning of the Geneva Conventions, the universal humanitarian principles underlying the Movement's efforts and the general activities carried out by the different components, the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the National Societies, as they work together to help those in need.

This film presents an overview of the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and reflects on some of the main challenges facing humanity: the growing threat of the misuse of biotechnology, the widespread availability of small arms and light weapons, the terrible combination of AIDS and hunger, and the need to boost risk reduction policies. It highlights how together, the ICRC, the IFRC and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, strive to address these problems and ensure that human dignity is respected. This film was shown during the opening ceremony of the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross, Red Crescent that took place in December 2003.

Countless families, during armed conflict or internal violence, are faced with the anguish of not knowing what has become of their loved ones. The ICRC, with the help of the National Societies of the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement, makes great efforts to clarify the fate of the thousands of people who go missing all over the world. Also in this issue: climate change debate; the Movement's approach to weapon contamination (explosive remnants of war and cluster munitions); ensuring rapid and adequate disaster aid; Tuvalu braces for the future; the Red Cross in India.

The story of an idea, is an exciting new publication which brings to life the story of the birth of the Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and its history to date. This comic strip was created by the world renowned artist Jean Giraud, alias Moebius.

This colourful postcard booklet is an ideal gift or memento. It features 30 posters selected from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum's collection of Movement posters which consists of several thousand posters from National Societies across the world. As a joint production between the RC / RC Magazine, the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the selection of posters made for Retroscope reflects the Red Cross and Red Crescent as a global and diverse Movement and the history of its work to alleviate human suffering.

The Fundamental Principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality - reflect a certain discipline within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, but they also and above all convey an overriding concern for human welfare. Admittedly, the Red Cross was not the first to relieve human suffering. Solidarity and compassion have always been widely expressed in both words and deeds in the most diverse cultures. What this brochure seeks to highlight is the very specific nature of the work carried out by the Red Cross and Red Crescent to alleviate human suffering.

This code seeks to safeguard high standards of behaviour and maintain independence and effectiveness in disaster relief. In the event of armed conflict, its clauses are to be interpreted and applied in conformity with international humanitarian law. It is a voluntary code, enforced by the will of organizations accepting it to maintain the standards it lays down. Sponsored by: Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Save the Children Alliance, Lutheran World Federation, Oxfam and the World Council of Churches (members of the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response), together with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

In-depth thesis on the development of the Movement's doctrine, its obligatory nature and the seven Fundamental Principles guiding humanitarian action.

This is the book that prompted the creation of what is now a worldwide movement with millions of members and made the name of Henry Dunant known everywhere. The account has moved many people and still does today. "One finishes this book cursing war", wrote the Goncourt brothers in the nineteenth century. Since it was first published in 1862, the book has been translated into so many languages and reprinted so many times that it is difficult to know how many versions exist throughout the world.

President of the National Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical Faculty of Tehran University.

Adopted by the 20th Red Cross and Red Crescent International Conference (Vienna, 1965) and revised by the Council of Delegates (Budapest, 1991)

In our efforts to protect and assist victims of conflicts and natural disasters, fight poverty and reduce the impact of diseases, it is essential to join forces.

The red cross and red crescent emblems are visible symbols of the protection afforded to war victims under the Geneva Conventions. They also stand for the neutrality of those who use them and indicate membership in the Movement. To resolve certain problems, an additional emblem known as the red crystal, has been adopted by a diplomatic conference in December 2005 in Geneva.

Consolidated report - Council of Delegates, 2001

This animation brings to life the story of the creation of the Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and its history to date. The comic strip was created by the world renowned artist Jean Giraud, alias Moebius.

Our relationships — with family and friends — play an essential role in defining our identities and provide us with a sense of security and stability. If they break down, important elements of our identity are lost and so is our primary source of support. The Restoring Family Links (RFL) Strategy for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement puts these ties back at the heart of the Movement’s activities.

Workshop 3, 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 2 to 6 December 2003

A commitment to sharing with others, to relieving distress, to averting violence From Marion Harroff-Tavel, ICRC Deputy Director for International Law and Communication.