What we stand for | British Red Cross

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emergencies</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/our-movement">Our Movement</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>  </header> <main role="main"> <div class="ml01" id="content"> <div class="t07-template"> <div class="content"> <div class="component breadcrumb"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="row"> <div class="base12"> <nav aria-label="Breadcrumb navigation"> <p> <span class="icon-chevron" data-grunticon-embed></span> <a href="/about-us"> <strong>About us</strong> </a> </p> <ol> <li> <a class="breadcrumb-home" href="/"> <span class="icon-home" data-grunticon-embed></span> <span class="icon-text">Home</span> </a> <span class="icon-chevron" data-grunticon-embed></span> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us">About us</a> <span class="icon-chevron" data-grunticon-embed></span> </li> <li> <a aria-current="page">What we stand for</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="component content-page-hero "> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="row"> <div class="base10 ml12 mp12" data-push-left="off-1 ml-0 mp-0"> <h1 class="hero-title">What we stand for</h1> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="base8 ml12 mp12" data-push-left="off-2 ml-0 mp-0"> <p class="large">Our volunteers and staff are guided by the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <section class="component rich-text light"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="row"> <div class="base7 ml12 mp12" data-push-left="off-1 ml-0 mp-0"> <h2>The seven fundamental principles</h2> <p>The fundamental principles <span style="font-size: 1.8rem;"> bind together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). This makes the British Red Cross part of </span><a href="/about-us/how-we-are-run/the-international-movement" style="font-size: 1.8rem;">a worldwide movement</a><span style="font-size: 1.8rem;">.</span></p> <p>The principles were agreed in Vienna in 1965, taking into account lessons learned from the first 100 years of the Movement’s history. They are grounded in <a href="/about-us/what-we-do/protecting-people-in-armed-conflict/international-humanitarian-law">International Humanitarian Law</a>. </p> <p>By following these principles, people can trust us to respond to crisis situations around the world with our own unique approach. </p> <p>The seven fundamental principles are:</p> <h3>Humanity</h3> <p>The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield. The Movement endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found.</p> <p>It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, co-operation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.</p>   <h3>Impartiality</h3> <p>The Movement makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. </p> <p>It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.</p> <h3>Neutrality</h3> <p>In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.</p> <h3>Independence</h3> <p>The Movement is independent. The National Societies, whilst auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.</p> <h3>Voluntary service</h3> <p>It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.</p> <h3>Unity</h3> <p>There can only be one Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.</p> <h3>Universality</h3> <p>The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.<span style="font-size: 0.625em;">  </span></p> <h2> </h2> <h2>The principles in action today</h2> <p>The British Red Cross promotes the fundamental principles in the UK and overseas to help people to know what to expect from the Movement. This includes projects aimed at young people in schools and universities in the UK.</p> <h3>A flash of hope</h3> <p>Around the world, whenever a humanitarian crisis occurs, the Red Cross or Red Crescent is always one of the first organisations on the scene thanks to our kind volunteers. The principles guide their work on the ground. </p> <p>They also inform high-level policies, such as the British Red Cross’ <a href="/about-us/how-we-are-run/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/anti-racism-work">anti-racism work</a>.</p> <p>Today, the challenges posed by an unpredictable and often changing global landscape have never been greater. But our principles still ring true.</p> <p>They guide us through adversity. They command respect. They make the Red Cross unique.</p> <h3>Protecting people in armed conflict</h3> <p>We recognise we’re only able to work in conflict zones because we’re trusted to be neutral, impartial and independent, and because the red cross and red crescent emblems reflect these principles.</p> <p>This is why it is important we help people to understand the principles and why they matter to us and to the people we help.</p>   <h3>Principles in action project</h3> <p>Our principles in action project explores how the fundamental principles help Red Cross and Red Crescent organisations around the world.</p> <p>Using real-life examples, the project shows how the principles help our staff and volunteers gain access to, and help, people in need. You can download our in-depth reports below.</p> <div></div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="component related-documents dark"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="row"> <div class="base10 ml12 mp12" data-push-left="off-1 ml-0 mp-0"> <h2>Related documents</h2> <div class="row related-documents-items"> <div class="base6 ml12 mp12"> <div class="related-documents-item"> <div class="related-documents-preview"> <div class="related-documents-fallback-icon"> <span class="icon-document" data-grunticon-embed></span> <span class="related-documents-extension">PDF</span> </div> </div> <div class="related-documents-info"> <h3>Principles in action in Lebanon</h3> <p class="related-documents-file-info"> <span>PDF</span> <span>962KB</span> <span>28</span> </p> <p> <a href="/-/media/documents-indexed/principles-in-action-in-lebanon.pdf" rel="noopener" aria-label="Principles in action in Lebanon" target="_blank" class="cta secondary pdf"> <span class="icon-pdf" data-grunticon-embed></span> <span>Download</span> </a> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="base6 ml12 mp12"> <div class="related-documents-item"> <div class="related-documents-preview"> <div class="related-documents-fallback-icon"> <span class="icon-document" data-grunticon-embed></span> <span class="related-documents-extension">PDF</span> </div> </div> <div class="related-documents-info"> <h3>Principles in action in Somalia</h3> <p class="related-documents-file-info"> <span>PDF</span> <span>3MB</span> <span>32</span> </p> <p> <a href="/-/media/documents-indexed/principles-in-action-in-somalia.pdf" rel="noopener" aria-label="Principles in action in Somalia" target="_blank" class="cta secondary pdf"> <span class="icon-pdf" data-grunticon-embed></span> <span>Download</span> </a> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="base6 ml12 mp12"> <div class="related-documents-item"> <div class="related-documents-preview"> <div class="related-documents-fallback-icon"> <span class="icon-document" data-grunticon-embed></span> <span class="related-documents-extension">PDF</span> </div> </div> <div class="related-documents-info"> <h3>The fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement</h3> <p class="related-documents-file-info"> <span>PDF</span> <span>3MB</span> <span>96</span> </p> <p> <a href="/-/media/documents-indexed/fundamental-principles.pdf?sc_lang=en" rel="noopener" aria-label="The fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement" target="_blank" class="cta secondary pdf"> <span class="icon-pdf" data-grunticon-embed></span> <span>Download</span> </a> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div > </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component related-links light"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="row related-links-title"> <div class="base8 ml12 mp12" data-push-left="off-2 ml-0 mp-0"> <h2>Further information</h2> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="base10 ml12 mp12" data-push-left="off-1 ml-0 mp-0"> <div class="row"> <div class="base6 ml12 mp12"> <div class="related-links-item js-listing-result"> <picture>  <source srcset="/-/media/feature/projectred/16x9/syria-medic-with-earthquake-patient.jpg?h=506&w=900&sc_lang=en&hash=B6DCE7FA1765A932932CE1765AC3F15D" media="(min-width:768px)">  <img srcset="/-/media/feature/projectred/16x9/syria-medic-with-earthquake-patient.jpg?h=399&w=710&sc_lang=en&hash=C4BB8F3C9369DB0D5E8C8DFC30441035" alt="A woman medic with Red Cross partner the Syrian Arab Red Crescent takes a man's blood pressure in a crowded emergency treatment centre."> </picture> <div class="related-links-text"> <h2>The international Movement</h2> <p>We don’t work alone. We’re part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world’s largest humanitarian network. </p> <div class="js-listing-link"> <a href="/about-us/how-we-are-run/the-international-movement" class="cta secondary"><span class="icon-menu-arrow" data-grunticon-embed></span><span>Find out about the International Movement</span></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="base6 ml12 mp12"> <div class="related-links-item js-listing-result"> <picture>  <source srcset="/-/media/feature/projectred/16x9/logos/emblem-cross-crescent-crystal-three.jpg?h=506&w=900&hash=4AF574225FC9060EFBACDE16735E8260" media="(min-width:768px)">  <img srcset="/-/media/feature/projectred/16x9/logos/emblem-cross-crescent-crystal-three.jpg?h=399&w=710&hash=70489E409947E91546F311E1CD361E53" alt="The three emblems: Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal"> </picture> <div class="related-links-text"> <h2>The emblem</h2> <p>The emblem of a red cross on a white background is the visible sign of protection under the Geneva Conventions.</p> <div class="js-listing-link"> <a href="/about-us/what-we-do/protecting-people-in-armed-conflict/the-emblem" class="cta secondary"><span class="icon-menu-arrow" data-grunticon-embed></span><span>Read more</span></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component feedback"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="row"> <div class="base10 ml12 mp12" data-push-left="off-1 ml-0 mp-0"> <div class="feedback-grid"> <div class="feedback-links"> <div class="feedback-row"> <p><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #172b4d;">Do you have a question about this page or want to give us feedback? 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