IFRC National Society Development Policy
23 September 2026
A National Society is only as effective as the organisation behind it. When systems are fragile, financing is uncertain or governance is unclear, even the most committed volunteers and staff cannot deliver consistent humanitarian action. Strengthening the organisation itself is what makes everything else possible.
The Netherlands Red Cross works with partner National Societies to support their own development priorities. The starting point is always the National Society’s own strategic plan and development agenda. Support has been provided in partner countries including Ethiopia, Zambia, Mali, Central African Republic, Lebanon, South Sudan, Sudan and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as in other countries including Botswana, Liberia, Nigeria and Malawi.
How we work together
Support is tailored to each National Society’s development priorities. It can include:
- Supporting National Societies to strengthen their financial sustainability, including diversifying income, improving financial management and building resource mobilization capacity, driven by a leadership engagement process that ensures ownership and accountability.
- Strengthening systems, including through digital transformation, communications, human resources and logistics.
- Providing advisory support and organisational capacity strengthening on protection, gender and inclusion, community engagement, integrity and safeguarding systems, so these become core organisational components of how National Societies operate.
Local example
Through the Localisation Alliance, The Netherlands Red Cross works alongside IFRC and partner National Societies to build the long-term organisational foundations that make locally-led humanitarian action possible.
