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.