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International Programmes

Local leadership at the heart of our programmes

Across every programme, from responding to a sudden earthquake to restoring a damaged landscape, one principle shapes how the Netherlands Red Cross actually works, known in the sector as localization: National Societies lead, and international partners support. This isn’t a separate programme, it’s the way of working that runs underneath all of them, visible in who makes the decisions, who is closest to the people affected, and who is still there long after an emergency fades from the news.

This way of working isn’t a trend, it’s a necessity. The humanitarian sector is changing, with needs growing while resources shrink, and the organisations already embedded in their communities, trusted by the people they serve, are the ones best placed to respond. Every programme described here reflects that belief in its own way.

Partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

The Partnership on Humanitarian Action between the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Netherlands Red Cross is the multi-annual framework that makes this possible.

Protracted Crises

This program funds long-term support for chronic crises in places like Ethiopia, Mali and South Sudan, breaking the cycle of repeated emergency response by tackling root causes instead.

Acute Crises

Through its Partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands Red Cross reserves funding for crises like these, covering shelter, water, health, food, cash, protection, logistics and camp management, for up to 12 months.

Response Preparedness

Through this program, The Netherlands Red Cross supports National Societies to assess and strengthen their preparedness and response mechanisms.

Water at the Heart of Climate Action

Water at the Heart of Climate Action (WHCA) is one of the Dutch voluntary commitments to the Water Action Agenda of the 2023 UN Water Conference.

Working with Nature to Protect People – STREAM

STREAM restores natural buffers like forests and wetlands so communities in Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines and beyond can better withstand floods and drought, working with WWF and Movement partners.