5 May 1919, Paris (France). Original title: League of Red Cross Societies (LORCS) -- Ligue des sociétés de la Croix-Rouge (LSCR) -- Liga de Sociedades de la Cruz Roja Liga der Rotkreuz-Gesellschaften, on the initiative of Henry P Davison, one of the leaders of the American Red Cross. Name changed, Oct 1983, to League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies -- Ligue des sociétés de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge -- Liga de Sociedades de la Cruz Roja y de la Media Luna Roja -- Liga der Rotkreuz- und Rothalbmond-Gesellschaften. Current name adopted Nov 1991, having already been referred to in that way as a supplementary title. The acronym IFRC is sometimes used. Together with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and all officially recognized national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, a constituent part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
As a volunteer-based humanitarian network, act before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people, impartial to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions.
• Assess, Train and Evaluate Relief Services.
• Emergency Response Units - independent units ready for the field, specialized in basic health care, referral hospitals, water/sanitation, logistics and telecommunications and information/media.
• Relief Health - communicable diseases alleviation and vaccinations; psychological support and stress management; health education; medicines; mobile clinics and nursing care.
• Food Distribution and Nutrition.
• Water/Sanitation - wells; bore holes; pumping; water distribution; latrines and health education.
• Information on Humanitarian Rights - promotion of international humanitarian law and basic standards for humanitarian assistance.
• Capacity Building of National Societies - training and development of staff and volunteers; establishment and strengthening of structures of national societies through resource and institutional development; improving governance and management systems and processes.
• Disaster Preparedness - identifying disaster risks and strengthening local structure of national societies; provision of training, personnel and equipment; building relations with other humanitarian organizations.
• Health - community-based health care; AIDS/substance abuse prevention; first aid in the community; health education, family planning; strengthening existing health services (medicine, equipment and training).
• Youth Activities and Gender Integration. Red Cross and Red Crescent Youth.
• Social Welfare - community development; vulnerable and homeless children; the elderly; people with disabilities.
• Promotion of Humanitarian Values - building awareness of the fundamental principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality) and of international humanitarian law.
• Joint ICRC/Federation Meetings (at least 3 times a year), including European Regional Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference.
Relations with 56 inter-governmental organizations.