Urban dwellers already make up half the world's population and their number is set to rise rapidly over the next decades. For many people, moving to the city means a better job and better services. But for millions, city life means violence, poverty, pollution and vulnerability. An estimated one billion people live in slums or other sub-standard housing.

Article 4 of the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, adopted by the 25th International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva in October 1986 and amended by the 26th International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva in December 1995.

ICRC, national societies from 178 countries and their International Federation form the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. All within the Movement share common fundamental principles but are not linked hierarchically. In conflict situations ICRC takes the lead role and directs the work of its partners.

Council of Delegates 2001, Resolution 3

The Seville Agreement - Council of Delegates, Sevilla, 25-27 November 1997

The Fundamental Principles are the result of a century of experience. Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, they bond together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and guarantee the continuity of the Movement and its humanitarian work. In this succinct commentary intended for the general public, Jean Pictet explains the meaning of each of the seven Fundamental Principles; he analyses them on the basis of different criteria and presents all their various aspects, thus making this essential part of Red Cross doctrine accessible to all.

Adopted by the 25th International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva in October 1986 and amended by the 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva in December 1995 and by the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva in June 2006.

Adopted by the 25th International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva in October 1986 and amended by the 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva in December 1995.

The International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is made of several different components all guided by the same seven Fundamental Principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The ICRC works closely with National Societies and their International Federation to respond to humanitarian needs in accordance with the Movement’s Statutes and policies.

Hundreds of youth volunteers, representing the 50 million youth volunteers of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, travelled from Solferino, Italy to Geneva, Switzerland to bring their message to the world. They have gathered to define their vision of humanity and to address the Solferinos of today: poverty, violence, migration, disease, discrimination and climate change. They presented a declaration addressed to international leaders, proposing solutions to today’s humanitarian challenges.

In February 2010, the Turkmenistan Red Crescent Society hosted the Annual Forum of Central Asian National Societies’ leadership. The event, held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, gave the National Societies an opportunity to discuss regional priorities and strategies.

Between 23 and 28 June, thousands of members of the Movement that Henry Dunant founded 150 years ago converged on the scene of the Battle of Solferino in Italy. An emotional few days, with a subtle mix of history, friendship and reflection.

This animation brings to life the story of the creation of the Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and its history to date. The comic strip was created by the world renowned artist Jean Giraud, alias Moebius.

This edition pays tribute to Haitian Red Cross volunteers for their efforts to rescue and assist the victims of the earthquake. Also in this issue: restoring family links in the aftermath of natural disasters; tuberculosis in the prisons of Azerbaijan and Georgia; the Movement takes up the challenge of urban violence.

This important work contains all the texts that serve as a basis for the ICRC, the International Federation and national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Included are: the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; major treaties and other basic instruments that constitute international humanitarian law; the main policies, strategies and plans of action that guide the activities of the Movement's components; and, a selection of important resolutions adopted during the Movement's statutory meetings. Updated periodically, the handbook is an essential support tool for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and a valuable guide for anyone interested in international humanitarian work.

The story of an idea, is an exciting new publication which brings to life the story of the birth of the Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and its history to date. This comic strip was created by the world renowned artist Jean Giraud, alias Moebius.

This colourful postcard booklet is an ideal gift or memento. It features 30 posters selected from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum's collection of Movement posters which consists of several thousand posters from National Societies across the world. As a joint production between the RC / RC Magazine, the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the selection of posters made for Retroscope reflects the Red Cross and Red Crescent as a global and diverse Movement and the history of its work to alleviate human suffering.

The Fundamental Principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality - reflect a certain discipline within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, but they also and above all convey an overriding concern for human welfare. Admittedly, the Red Cross was not the first to relieve human suffering. Solidarity and compassion have always been widely expressed in both words and deeds in the most diverse cultures. What this brochure seeks to highlight is the very specific nature of the work carried out by the Red Cross and Red Crescent to alleviate human suffering.

This code seeks to safeguard high standards of behaviour and maintain independence and effectiveness in disaster relief. In the event of armed conflict, its clauses are to be interpreted and applied in conformity with international humanitarian law. It is a voluntary code, enforced by the will of organizations accepting it to maintain the standards it lays down. Sponsored by: Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Save the Children Alliance, Lutheran World Federation, Oxfam and the World Council of Churches (members of the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response), together with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

In-depth thesis on the development of the Movement's doctrine, its obligatory nature and the seven Fundamental Principles guiding humanitarian action.

This is the book that prompted the creation of what is now a worldwide movement with millions of members and made the name of Henry Dunant known everywhere. The account has moved many people and still does today. "One finishes this book cursing war", wrote the Goncourt brothers in the nineteenth century. Since it was first published in 1862, the book has been translated into so many languages and reprinted so many times that it is difficult to know how many versions exist throughout the world.

President of the National Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical Faculty of Tehran University.

Adopted by the 20th Red Cross and Red Crescent International Conference (Vienna, 1965) and revised by the Council of Delegates (Budapest, 1991)

The early history of most institutions has been blurred by the passage of time. Even when their initial form can be clearly discerned, it often bears little resemblance to the institution as we know it today. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a striking exception - it can be traced back to a precise date, and its origins are relatively well known. This first phase is worth considering in detail, because it casts light on the entire subsequent development of the Red Cross.

A joint statement from the presidents of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross on the occasion of World Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2010.

A joint statement from the presidents of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross on the occasion of World Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2009.

In our efforts to protect and assist victims of conflicts and natural disasters, fight poverty and reduce the impact of diseases, it is essential to join forces.

The red cross and red crescent emblems are visible symbols of the protection afforded to war victims under the Geneva Conventions. They also stand for the neutrality of those who use them and indicate membership in the Movement. To resolve certain problems, an additional emblem known as the red crystal, has been adopted by a diplomatic conference in December 2005 in Geneva.

The Red Cross is celebrating its 150th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, the world's best known humanitarian movement has commissioned some of the world's top war photographers to document modern conflict. Imogen Foulkes reports from Geneva.

Consolidated report - Council of Delegates, 2001

Workshop 3, 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 2 to 6 December 2003

A commitment to sharing with others, to relieving distress, to averting violence From Marion Harroff-Tavel, ICRC Deputy Director for International Law and Communication.

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Solferino, the European Union recalls the utmost importance of empathy and solidarity towards those affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence. Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union.