This year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day comes at a time of profound change and increasing complexity in the humanitarian landscape. Around the world, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are working in environments where access is limited, needs are rising, and the rules designed to protect civilians and humanitarian workers are too often ignored. From armed conflicts to disasters and health emergencies, the challenges are immense. Polarization and mistrust are deepening in many places, making our principled humanitarian action more important than ever.
In a divided world, our Movement brings people together in the name of humanity. Even in the most challenging conditions, our Movement continues to act. Humanity is our collective compass. Our independence, neutrality, and impartiality remain essential to ensure we can stand with those in need.
To stand on the side of humanity also means standing with those who make humanitarian action possible. Volunteers and staff, often from the very communities affected, are at the heart of our Movement’s reach and impact. It is through their daily presence, perseverance, and compassion that we can respond swiftly, build trust, and remain alongside people in crisis. Despite the uncertainty, despite the obstacles, they continue to show up – donning their vests, offering care, and upholding our shared humanitarian mission.
We also pause to remember and honour the 10 colleagues we have lost already this year, following the loss of 38 colleagues from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement who were killed in the line of duty in 2024. Many of them were deliberately targeted – a tragic reminder that even our emblems, protected under the Geneva Conventions, are too often disregarded. Their loss is felt deeply by their loved ones, communities, and teams they leave behind. We honour their memory not only with words, but with continued action. Together, we are steadfast in our commitment to protect humanitarian workers and to call on parties to conflict to respect international humanitarian law.
Across the world, in the face of conflicts, disasters, and crises, our Movement is able to reach people because of who we are: the world’s largest humanitarian network anchored in local action. Our volunteers and staff come from the very communities they serve. They bring knowledge, trust, and presence – and a deep commitment to humanitarian values that transcend borders. It is this solidarity and shared purpose that enables our Movement to respond, to remain, and to stand alongside people in their most difficult moments.
Humanity. Impartiality. Neutrality. Independence. Voluntary Service. Unity. Universality. As we look toward the 60th anniversary of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, we recommit to them – not as abstract ideals, but as the foundation of everything we do, grounded in compassion, dignity, and hope.
And to the volunteers and staff who bring these principles to life each day – who carry forward our mission with courage, empathy, and resolve – we offer our deepest gratitude.
On this World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, we raise our voices together as one global family to say: we remain, always, on the side of humanity.
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