The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is one of the world's largest humanitarian organization, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.
Founded in 1919, the International Federation comprises over 180 members - Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.
The Secretariat of the International Federation is in Geneva. Its role is to coordinate and mobilize relief assistance for international emergencies, promote cooperation between National Societies and represent these National Societies in the international field.
The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Federation. It meets every two years and comprises representatives from all member National Societies.
The Governing Board acts between general assemblies, meeting twice a year. The board comprises the Federation’s President and Vice Presidents, representatives from elected member Societies, the Chair of the Finance Commission and the Chair of the Youth Commission.
According to its Constitution «the general object of the International Federation is to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world».
It is carrying out its humanitarian activities «in conformity with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity and Universality) to alleviate human suffering».
It is guiding the actions of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) during the next ten years. It defines three strategic aims and three enabling actions for the IFRC and its member National Societies.
The strategic aims of the Strategy 2020 are:
1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises.
2. Enable healthy and safe living.
3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.
The enabling actions to deliver these Strategic Aims are:
1. Build strong National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
2. Pursue humanitarian diplomacy to prevent and reduce vulnerability in a globalized world.
3. Function effectively as the International Federation.
An agreement between the Government of Ukraine and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on cooperation and legal status of the International Federation’s Office in Kiev was signed in 1997.
Implementation of social and humanitarian assistance programs is an important component of Ukraine’s cooperation with the International Federation.
Among them an important place is given to Chernobyl Humanitarian Assistance and Rehabilitation Programme which addresses the basic health needs of those living in the regions of the three countries (Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Belarus) affected by the Chernobyl disaster.