International Services

The American Red Cross is an international humanitarian organization worldwide, one of 186 national Red Cross societies.  As an international movement, we assist other countries by fundraising for international disasters, advocating and raising funds for the Measles Initiative, and learning about international humanitarian law.

If you are from a foreign youth program and would like to share your projects with American volunteers, please email us! We would love to add your information to this page.

  • Learn about the international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement here.
  • Learn about the seven fundamental principles that guide the international movement here.
  • Learn about international opportunities for youth here [link under construction].
How can you get  involved?

The Measles Initiative is a partnership— led by the American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization (WHO)— committed to reducing measles deaths worldwide.  One of the most successful public health programs in recent years, the Measles Initiative has supported the vaccination of more than 400 million children in over 50 countries.  In 2000, measles caused approximately 757,000 deaths, mostly children under five. By 2006, measles deaths were reduced to 242,000 people worldwide– a remarkable drop of 68 percent. The reduction was even greater in Africa where measles deaths plunged by more than 91 percent.  More information is available at the Measles Initiative website.

  • Learn about International Humanitarian Law here!

Also check out the Resources tab for ideas as to how you can promote IHL with your ARC club or program!

International Humanitarian Law is everyone’s concern. In a world where warfare and civil strife are a daily reality for millions, International Humanitarian Law provides a framework for protection for civilians and combatants alike.  The conduct for warfare as embodied by IHL is laid out in the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The American Red Cross has a unique mandate to educate the American public about the guiding principles and IHL framework as it applies to the protection of members of the armed forces including prisoners of war and civilians.

For more information on Exploring Humanitarian Law, the Red Cross program that teaches students about international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and human dignity in the face of warfare, please visit http://ehl.redcross.org/