C13.1 The full legal name, principal address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the entity, and the URL of its principal world wide web site

C13.1.1 International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

(Postal address):

PO Box 372

CH-1211 Geneva 19

Switzerland

(Visiting address):

17 chemin des Crets

Petit Sacconex

Geneva

Tel: +41 (22) 730 4222

Fax: +41 (22) 733 0395

Secretariat@ifrc.org

www.ifrc.org

C13.1.2The British Red Cross Society

9 Grosvenor Crescent

London

SW1X 7EJ

Tel: 0207 235 5454

Fax: 0207 245 6315

Information@redcross.org.uk

www.redcross.org.uk

Registered charity with the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales no.220949

C13.2. A general description of the entity's business and other activities.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Worldwide Movement

With 97 million members and volunteers, and 300,000 employees, assisting some 233 million beneficiaries each year, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the largest humanitarian organisation in the world.

The Movement comprises the following:

· The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

· The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and

· 178 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian organization whose mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was founded in 1919, and directs and coordinates international assistance of the Movement to victims of natural and technological disasters, to refugees and in health emergencies. It acts as the official representative of its member Societies in the international field. It promotes cooperation between National Societies, and works to strengthen their capacity to carry out effective disaster preparedness, health and social programmes.

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes. During wartime, National Societies assist the affected civilian population and support the army medical services where appropriate.

The ICRC, the Federation and the National Societies are independent bodies. Each has its own individual status and exercises no authority over the others.

The seven Fundamental Principles

Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, the seven Fundamental Principles bond together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They guarantee the continuity of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its humanitarian work.

Humanity

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality

It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. 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.

Neutrality

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.

Independence

The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the 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.

Voluntary service

It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity

There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality

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

The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems - symbols of protection

The emblem of the red cross on a white background is the visible sign of protection under the Geneva Conventions, and as such, is the emblem of the medical services of the armed forces. In many countries with a predominantly Muslim population, a red crescent is used instead. Neither emblem has any religious significance.

Both emblems have two purposes. The first is to protect sick and wounded victims of war, and those authorised to care for them. The second is to indicate that the person or object on which the emblem is displayed is connected with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The emblems must be trusted absolutely to signify neutrality and impartiality. That is why their unauthorised use is forbidden in international and national law.

History of the Movement

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement started over 135 years ago, inspired by a Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant. He had been appalled at the suffering of thousands of men, on both sides, who were left to die due to lack of care after the Battle of Solferino in 1859. He proposed the creation of national relief societies, comprised of volunteers, trained in peacetime to provide neutral and impartial help to relieve the suffering in times of war.

In response to these ideas a committee, which later became the International Committee of the Red Cross, was established in Geneva. The founding charter of the Red Cross was drawn up in 1863.

Henry Dunant also proposed that countries should adopt an international agreement, which would recognise the status of medical services and of the wounded on the battlefield. This agreement - the original Geneva Convention - was adopted in 1864.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Mission and role

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provide assistance to people in crisis without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

Founded in 1919, the International Federation comprises 178 member Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, a Secretariat in Geneva and more than 60 delegations strategically located to support activities around the world. There are more societies in formation. The Red Crescent is used in place of the Red Cross in many Islamic countries.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. Vulnerable people are those who are at greatest risk from situations that threaten their survival, or their capacity to live with an acceptable level of social and economic security and human dignity. Often, these are victims of natural disasters, poverty brought about by socio-economic crises, refugees, and victims of health emergencies.

The Federation carries out relief operations to assist victims of disasters, and combines this with development work to strengthen the capacities of its member National Societies.

The International Federation's programmes are grouped into four main core areas: promoting humanitarian principles and values; disaster response; disaster preparedness; and health and care in the community.

The Federation promotes individual and community humanitarian values which encourage respect for other human beings and a willingness to work together to find solutions to problems. From the seven fundamental principles to the "power of humanity" slogan, the aim is to influence the behaviour of the people we work with.

Disaster response continues to represent the largest portion of our work, with assistance to around 30 million people annually from refugees to victims of natural disasters. This section includes our emergency response units and issues relating to humanitarian policies as we strive to improve the quality of our immediate response and long-term rehabilitation work.

The sharp increase in the number of natural disasters worldwide in recent years has prompted the Federation to devote more attention to disaster preparedness activities. These aim to make National Societies and communities more aware of the risks they face, how to reduce their vulnerability, and how to cope when disaster strikes.

Too many people die as a result of no access to even the most basic health services and elementary health education. Health and community care has become a cornerstone of humanitarian assistance, and accounts for a large part of Red Cross Red Crescent spending. Through these programmes, the Federation aims to enable communities to reduce their vulnerability to disease, and prepare for and respond to public health crises.

Guiding and supporting the development of its member National Societies is one of the Federation's fundamental tasks, and runs through these four core areas and other programmes. Capacity building programmes include management and volunteer training, branch structures, planning, fund-raising and gender equality. Creating the opportunity for National Societies to network and work together is one of the Federation's key roles.

The unique network of National Societies - which cover almost every country in the world - is the Federation's principal strength. Cooperation between National Societies gives the Federation greater potential to develop capacities and assist those most in need. At a local level, the network enables the Federation to reach individual communities.

The role of the Secretariat in Geneva is to coordinate and mobilize relief assistance for international emergencies, promote cooperation between National Societies and represent these National Societies in the international field.

The role of the field delegations is to assist and advise National Societies with relief operations and development programmes, and encourage regional cooperation.

The Federation, together with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

National Societies

National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes, and assistance to people affected by war.

National Society programmes and services address both immediate and long-term needs and include:

· emergency shelter, food and medicine

· water and sanitation

· restoring family contact for disaster victims

· disaster preparedness

· community-based health and care

· first aid training and activities

· control and prevention of diseases

· HIV/AIDS prevention

· blood donor recruitment, collection and supply

· youth and volunteer activities

The promotion of humanitarian values is an intrinsic part of all Red Cross and Red Crescent activities. The National Societies conduct campaigns and speak on behalf of vulnerable people in their own countries. They also promote awareness of international humanitarian law and advocate internationally through the Federation and with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Contact details and profiles for all National Societies can be found on the Federation website: www.ifrc.org

The British Red Cross

The British Red Cross is one of the largest National Societies and the largest contributor of donations and delegates to the Federation. Our vision is to be the certain sign of hope in crisis for vulnerable people, anywhere in the world. When disaster strikes, at home or abroad, the British Red Cross is ready to help. We also work with local communities overseas to enable them to be better prepared to respond to emergencies.

Emergency response is central to our work in the UK. In the event of a major disaster, such as a train crash or flood, specially trained British Red Cross volunteers are available to assist the emergency services in caring for victims and their families.

Our volunteers also provide a diverse range of community services to help vulnerable people overcome personal crises. We focus on short-term assistance, such as the loan of wheelchairs or helping people who have temporarily lost their regular carer.

Another key area of our work is tracing and messaging - a unique Red Cross service - which reunites relatives who have been separated by conflict or natural disaster.

Our volunteers also provide first aid cover at all kinds of public events. And our training courses equip thousands of people every year with essential life saving skills.

Internationally, we work in partnership with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to improve the lives of vulnerable people throughout the world. In addition to providing emergency response and essential relief, we support vital development work to help communities reduce their vulnerability to disasters and emergencies.

Our work in action

The Red Cross has made and continues to make a significant impact on the lives of people in crisis in every corner of the world, as can be seen in its work in the areas of disaster relief, health and disaster preparedness.

Disaster Response

The Red Cross Movement, with its local volunteer presence in almost every country in the world and over 100 years experience, is uniquely placed to provide effective relief operations in response to major disasters, whether natural or man-made.

The Red Cross was called into action earlier this year, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the story illustrates clearly how the Federation appealed for and received help from its National Societies, including the British Red Cross.

Approximately 350,000 people fled from their homes as the town of Goma was engulfed in a sea of red-hot lava and clouds of choking ash and fumes. Many of these people have been left destitute by the disaster.

“At first I thought it was thunder when the volcano started to spit boiling lava” said Odette Nyiraminani, who fled with her baby son, Patrick, from the Corniche district, west of Goma. “The town was covered with smoke and we could hardly breathe. We were allowed to cross the border into Rwanda and spent two days in a field until the Red Cross found us.”

The Federation responded immediately to the disaster, sending a five man Regional Disaster Response Team to nearby Kigali, in Rwanda, to assess the situation. An appeal for assistance was immediately issued to all the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the world. Local Red Cross volunteers distributed water and high energy biscuits to the evacuees.

Most of those who fled soon returned to Goma, anxious to salvage what they could from the wreckage of the town and to find loved ones, from whom they had become separated in the confusion following the eruption. In a disaster of this kind, people are often more at risk of dying from secondary effects such as disease, hunger and thirst. Food and shelter were also in short supply, and many people risked serious burns and even their lives trying to reach their homes, cut off by lava.

To avoid the situation escalating, the Red Cross immediately began distributing water purification tablets and setting up water stations in the area. Water and sanitation engineers repaired the damaged water network, helping to combat the threat of disease.

As so many people lost their homes, relief efforts also focused on providing tents and tarpaulins for temporary shelter, as well as food and other essential items. The Red Cross has also played a vital role in reuniting families separated by the disaster, through its global message and tracing service.

As well as contributing to the emergency relief effort by providing blankets, water purification tablets, tarpaulins and cholera kits, the British Red Cross sent a Logistics Emergency Response Unit to coordinate all the goods from Red Cross relief flights arriving from around the world at Kigali airport. The unit also supported the logistics operation delivering aid in and out of Goma.

Disaster Preparedness

The frequency of disasters, particularly in the last decade, has increased at a frightening rate. Reasons range from climactic and environmental changes due to human actions, rising population numbers and migration numbers and migration to areas at greater risk.

Staying ahead of the next disaster is becoming increasingly important, which is why the Federation has identified disaster preparedness as one of the cornerstones of its work.

The Red Cross’s approach focuses on a number of factors, including:

· Predicting hazards by identifying and mapping key threats

· Assessing the geographical distribution of areas vulnerable to seasonal threats

· Defining which groups and and communities are most at risk and assessing their capacity to respond to local hazards

The effectiveness of Red Cross’s planning can be seen clearly in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world, with an average annual death toll of 44,000 attributed to disasters from 1987 to 1996. Frequent cyclones have been one of the biggest killers. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Cyclone Preparedness Programme was set up in response to this threat, operating in a simple yet powerful way:

Government satellite data is used to predict the movement of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. The warnings from this system are downloaded to Dhaka where they are relayed over a radio net to the high risk areas on the coast. Up to 30,000 Red Cross volunteers are trained and equipped to give out warning messages with hand held megaphones or sirens and help to evacuate people to the safety of cyclone shelters where they offer relief and first aid if needed. It is these volunteers at the community level who provide the vital last link in the chain for the hi-tech warning generated by satellite and computer tracking systems.

The programme has already significantly reduced the impact of seasonal cyclones, saving thousands of lives in the process. In 1991, before the programme was set up, a severe cyclone in the Bay of Bengal resulted in 138,000 lives lost, while in 1997, more than 1 million people received sufficient early warning and were evacuated to cyclone shelters when a severe cyclone struck. The death toll was reduced to 111.

Similarly, in Orissa, India, it is estimated that some 40,000 lives were saved due to 26 Red Cross cyclone shelters that provided protection and safety during a cyclone in 1999.

In Vietnam, a country prone to seasonal floods along the Mekong Delta, Red Cross rehabilitation work following the 1998 floods focused on constructing flood-proof housing in order to save lives. During the tropical storms of 1999, only one of the 2,450 houses was destroyed to floods.

British Red Cross plays a key role in these and other disaster preparedness projects, contributing both money and the expertise of delegates to help local volunteers and build capacity.

Health and Community Care

The Red Cross is also committed to making a big impact on the health of different communities around the world; one of the biggest priorities facing the Movement right now is the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

HIV/AIDS will kill more people this decade than all the wars and disasters in the past 50 years. Since the AIDS epidemic began, 25 million people have died and more than 40 million are now living with HIV and AIDS. In 2001 alone, five million people became infected worldwide.

With its approximately 100 million volunteers, the Federation is able to play an essential role in coordinating and supporting local efforts to combat the disease, and a huge programme is being launched this year to address the following areas:

· Advocacy: efforts will be made to raise awareness of the risks of unsafe sexual behaviour, discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS, gender differentials in vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and the availability of voluntary counselling and testing. Additionally, while continuing to provide essential care to the maximum number of people living with HIV/AIDS through the Red Cross and Red Crescent home care approach, the Federation will advocate at every possible level for the availability of all needed drugs including antiretrovirals.

· Building and applying knowledge: National Societies will strengthen youth peer education initiatives both in schools and outside, to influence attitudes and behaviour by providing them with the necessary information to lead healthy lifestyles.

· Distribution of condoms and promotion of proper use: National Societies will aim to increase availability and accessibility, particularly in rural areas where community volunteers serve as valued outreach condom distributors and promoters of useage.

· Support home care for people living with HIV/AIDS: focus will be on training family members in basic medical care, first aid and support techniques for home care of the illness.

· Support for AIDS orphans: communities will be helped to strengthen their traditional coping mechanisms to address the problem of children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic.

· Promote voluntary non-remunerated blood donation: to raise awareness regionally and globally about safe blood donations.

· Prevention of HIV/AIDS infection in complex emergencies: reproductive health is of primary concern. Disruption of societal structures, family units and sexual networks; sexual interaction with military; sexual violence and coercive sex; and psychological trauma all add to the vulnerability of refugees and displaced people, with whom the Red Cross and Red Crescent is in daily contact.

British Red Cross is launching an appeal for funds to support the global HIV/AIDS programme, as well as exploring ways in which its awareness work in particular can be applied in the United Kingdom.

These are just some of the ways that 365 days a year, Red Cross volunteers are ready to respond to the needs of anyone in crisis, anywhere in the world.

C13.3. The entity's type (e.g., corporation, partnership, etc.) and law (e.g., Denmark) under which it is organized. Please state whether the entity is for-profit or non-profit. If it is non-profit, please provide a detailed statement of its mission

Our mission and role

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian organization, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

Founded in 1919, the International Federation comprises 178 member Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, a Secretariat in Geneva and more than 60 delegations strategically located to support activities around the world. There are more societies in formation. The Red Crescent is used in place of the Red Cross in many Islamic countries.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. Vulnerable people are those who are at greatest risk from situations that threaten their survival, or their capacity to live with an acceptable level of social and economic security and human dignity. Often, these are victims of natural disasters, poverty brought about by socio-economic crises, refugees, and victims of health emergencies.

The unique network of National Societies - which cover almost every country in the world - is the Federation's principal strength. Cooperation between National Societies gives the Federation greater potential to develop capacities and assist those most in need. At a local level, the network enables the Federation to reach individual communities.

The role of the Secretariat in Geneva is to coordinate and mobilize relief assistance for international emergencies, promote cooperation between National Societies and represent these National Societies in the international field.

The role of the field delegations is to assist and advise National Societies with relief operations and development programmes, and encourage regional cooperation.

The Federation, together with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross is a charity and is governed by the laws of England and Wales. It is a non-profit organisation.

The legal objects of the British Red Cross, as set out in its Supplemental Royal Charter, are to provide assistance to victims of armed conflicts and to work for the improvement of health, for the prevention of disease and for the prevention and alleviation of human suffering in the British Islands and throughout the world.

In 1997 its vision – to be “the certain sign of hope in crisis” – was adopted by the British Red Cross, along with its mission statement: “To be the leading voluntary provider of emergency help to people in most need, anywhere in the world.”

In meeting its legal objects the British Red Cross must act at all times in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

C13.4. Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S Number (if any) of the entity.

The Red Cross does not have a D-U-N-S Number

C13.5. The number of employees currently employed by the entity.

The Red Cross Movement has 97 million members and volunteers and some 300,000 employees.

Clients and business partners

The following are corporate partners of the British Red Cross, many of whom have global relationships with the Federation.

· Royal & SunAlliance

o A major international, strategic five year partnership with the Red Cross in 23 countries

· GlaxoSmithKline

o A major supporter of our international work, particularly HIV/Aids

· Unilever/Lever Fabergé

o A major long-term relationship, manifesting itself in UK, Ireland, Italy and Germany, with more countries to follow

· BP

o A long term supporter of British Red Cross work and strategic partner to ICRC/IFRC.

· Virgin

o A new relationship developing with both Virgin Group and Virgin Mobile, driven forward by Richard Branson.

· Nestlé

o A close partner of the Federation and supporter of BRCS events and programmes

· Coinstar

o A major US (Nasdaq-listed) coin collection company now developing a relationship with UK supermarkets and UK charities incl the British Red Cross

· Deutsche Bank

o A relationship developing around sponsorship of prestige BRCS events

· AstraZeneca

o Have supported BRCS for 10+ years, sponsors of the Humanity Awards and major international projects (eg Tuberculosis)

· Tesco

o UK's largest supermarket has been a long-term major supporter of British Red Cross emergency appeals.

Our other significant relationships include:

· Barclays Bank

· Lastminute.com

· Littlewoods (lottery scratchcards)

· The Corporation of London

· Waitrose

· John Lewis

· Marks & Spencer

· B&Q

· BITC (Business in the Community) - a unique movement of UK companies committed to CSR & making a positive impact on society etc

· London First (organisation for 300+ blue-chip companies based in London)

· IBLF (International Business Leaders' Forum) an organisation which encourages businesses to act in a socially responsible way.