Overview

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

European National Red Cross Societies devote 60% of their national activities to health and social care services in local communities.

National Red Cross Societies in Europe provide services to many different groups of vulnerable people and support their active participation in society. Services are offered to children and young people, families and older people, socially excluded people, migrants and asylum seekers, people with illnesses and disabilities.

The Red Cross/EU Office assists National Red Cross Societies in building partnerships and exchange of good practice, developing joint activities and common positions on EU policy developments, and cooperation with other stakeholders in the health and care sector.

ASYLUM MIGRATION & DISPLACEMENT

Asylum, migration and displacement have high priority on the agenda of European Red Cross Societies. Many Red Cross staff and volunteers are committed to providing aid and care to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

European National Red Cross Societies play a key role in receiving refugees, counseling, health care, social intervention, integration and participation in community life.

The Red Cross/EU Office assists National Red Cross Societies within the EU in understanding the common European asylum system and advocates for EU migration policies which safeguard humanitarian principles and the dignity of refugees and migrants.

YOUTH & VOLUNTEERING

Volunteers are the wealth and strength of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. European National Red Cross Societies promote volunteering in all fields of Red Cross activities and by volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

Red Cross volunteers, in particular young people, are a motor for disseminating principles and values such as tolerance, solidarity and respect for diversity.

Young people represent more than half of the active volunteers in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Red Cross Youth has a key role in representing their interests.

The Red Cross/EU Office facilitates the dialogue between Red Cross networks and EU decision makers concerned with youth and volunteering policies.

NON DISCRIMINATION & PROMOTION OF HUMANITARIAN VALUES

EU National Red Cross Societies and the IFRC have committed themselves to promote respect for diversity and non-discrimination.

Diversity is a very valuable asset in achieving our goal of improving the lives of the most vulnerable people

ROAD SAFETY & FIRST AID

National Red Cross Societies in Europe provide first aid training to more than 3 million citizens every year.

For the Red Cross, first aid is a cost-effective, safe and simple way to save lives in an emergency.

In the EU, the Red Cross advocates for making first aid education compulsory when obtaining a driving license and promotes a culture of road safety in Europe.

The Red Cross/EU Office assists National Red Cross Societies in European road safety campaigns, exchange of good practice and international cooperation.