About RED
Welcome to RED. A platform for humanitarian collaboration, driving locally-led action.
RED is an initiative of the Netherlands Red Cross. Here we bring together partners, expertise and stories from our humanitarian work around the world and in the Netherlands. We created RED because people working towards the same goals need a shared space to connect, learn and build on each other’s work. Whether you are a National Society, an institutional donor, a partner organization or part of the wider humanitarian community, RED shows you what is happening, who is working on it and how to get in touch.
RED and the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
Much of what you find on RED takes place within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The partners, programmes and expertise on this platform all build on this network. The Netherlands Red Cross is one of 191 National Societies operating under the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network. Each National Society is independent, but united by the same seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
The Netherlands Red Cross
Based in The Hague. Works both domestically and internationally, supporting partner National Societies with expertise, funding and capacity. RED is where this work becomes visible, from the programmes and partner countries to the expertise that supports them.
IFRC
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the global coordinating body for National Societies. It sets strategy, coordinates international response and advocates for humanitarian norms. Many programmes on RED are part of IFRC-wide plans and appeals.
International Humanitarian Law
Many of the crises and countries on RED are marked by armed conflict. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is what makes humanitarian work possible there: it protects people affected by war and sets the rules under which the Netherlands Red Cross and its partners operate. The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and IHL are inseparable by origin. It was Red Cross founder Henry Dunant who, after the Battle of Solferino in 1859, advocated for international rules to limit suffering in war, leading directly to the first Geneva Convention of 1864. The Netherlands Red Cross promotes knowledge of IHL among soldiers, policymakers and the public, and co-chairs the Dutch IHL Platform with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Red Cross
Provides IHL education through guest lectures, publications and the Dutch IHL Platform. Partners with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on dissemination and implementation.
ICRC
The guardian of IHL. Neutral and independent, the ICRC is mandated under the Geneva Conventions to protect people affected by armed conflict.
Get in touch with our team
The RED editorial team is always looking for stories, insights and perspectives from across the humanitarian community, and welcomes contact from partners, National Societies, donors and anyone else who wants to contribute.
You might, for example:
- have a story that deserves a wider audience
- want to share lessons learned from a program or partnership
- know of research, tools or expertise that others could build on
- spot something on the platform that is outdated or incorrect
- have an idea for collaborating on content
Feel free to reach out to our RED Content Coordinator below.
