Purpose:

These Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance govern National Societies and their International Federation in international humanitarian assistance (excluding armed conflict, internal strife and their direct results).

These Principles and Rules recognize the importance of strengthening organizational, coordination and delivery capacities of National Societies, to respond to the increasing number and complexity of disasters and the growing number of vulnerable people. They call for greater collective learning, adaptation, innovation and leadership to ensure that the Movement achieves greater humanitarian impact. These Principles and Rules encompass preparedness for response, disaster relief and early recovery activities. They complement commitments to disaster risk reduction and seek to encourage National Societies to link relief, recovery and development. They establish a coordinated and agreed approach to quality and accountability, and recognize partnerships with public authorities, humanitarian actors and other organizations external to the Movement. These Principles and Rules are adopted within the statutory framework of the Movement.

Overview:

Rules between and among National Societies and the International Federation involve:

1. National Societies receiving international humanitarian assistance: on preparedness, requests for assistance, coordinated and principled response
2. National Societies providing international assistance: on preparedness, requests for assistance, coordinated and principled response
3. The International Federation: on preparedness, requests for assistance, coordinated and principled response
4. Relief to recovery
5. Quality and accountability: on standards; beneficiary engagement; planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting; staff and volunteer management; resource management; risk management and audit
6. Relations with public authorities: on public authorities and civil protection; and civil military coordination
7. Relations with external actors: on humanitarian agencies and other organisations; private sector; and media and communications

Usage: Policy reference and guidelines for implementation

Audience: National Society