Health and care activities in the IFRC include first aid and emergency response as well as epidemic control, programmes in health promotion and prevention, addressing stigma, providing psychosocial care and enabling community empowerment.
Health and care activities in the IFRC include first aid and emergency response as well as epidemic control, programmes in health promotion and prevention, addressing stigma, providing psychosocial care and enabling community empowerment.
Around the world, hundreds of thousands of volunteers work in communities to promote health, prevent diseases and demonstrate positive values through their actions. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its National Societies actively support communities through their network of volunteers, their community-based approach, their expertise and experience.
The past decade has seen major gains towards improving global health. Today, less people die of measles or malaria and the number of new HIV-infections has been stabilized in some countries.
At the same time, implementing primary health care at the community level remains a challenge:
- Worldwide, an estimated 14 million people continue to die each year from infectious diseases. Many more suffer from malnutrition and disruption of livelihood
- More than 1 billion people don’t have access to safe water
- 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitation.
- More than 500,000 women die each year in pregnancy or childbirth and still too many children die before their fifth birthday.
This situation will get worse because of global trends such as climate change, population growth and ageing, urbanisation, migration, food and water shortages, poverty, emergent diseases and the lack of access to health services.
Recent additions to the resources library
The consumption of water and the generation of human waste are such commonplace aspects of human life that planning for the appropriate use or removal of them is often overlooked.
Addressing the psychological needs of populations affected by crises has become a prominent concern in international humanitarian assistance. The need for this approach is supported by research findings, that people closest to disasters are more at risk for physical and psychological disorders, harmed mental functioning, and antisocial behaviour.
Blood safety is a critical underpinning for safe blood transfusion and health systems. People in all countries have a right to expect that the blood and blood products supplied to them are gathered, produced and provided in a safe and sustainable way that supports their communities and their health systems.
Health in Action
World First Aid Day
The IFRC is the largest first aid educator and provider in the world. In 2014, over 15 million people were trained, and for more than 150 years, first aid has provided by our volunteers.
In focus: Ebola
During the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak, Red Cross teams worked with community leaders to ensure families knew about how the virus is spread, what the symptoms are, and the importance of early treatment.
World Water Day
Water, sanitation and good hygiene practices are fundamental to healthy life. Our collective aim is to ensure every family has affordable and sustainable access to safe water and adequate sanitation.
Health news
Saumya Sanesha reads a headline in one of the local newspapers which says, “Worst dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka; 298 deaths.” As she heads out the door, she thinks about the importance her day’s assignment and all the people in her community whose lives are at risk.
Yemen Red Crescent volunteers are rushing to provide health and hygiene support to communities unable to access immediate medical care in an effort to stem the rapid spread of cholera across the country.
It’s a 40-minute walk to the closest supermarket for Syrian family Barishan, 30, her husband Rashid Musa, 34, and their three children. They live in Nea Kavala camp in northern Greece and are among the people who have received a Red Cross cash card to enable them to buy what they need.
See more case studies