AdvocACY
The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has been the world’s leading first aid trainer and provider for more than 150 years.
Millions of people are hurt or killed by injuries every year due to inadequate response or lack of timely assistance. First aid is by no means a replacement for emergency services; it is a vital initial step in providing effective and swift action that helps to reduce serious injuries and improve the chances of survival. Taking immediate action and applying the appropriate techniques, while waiting for professional help, can considerably reduce both deaths and injuries and their impact.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Strategy states: “We support health authorities by promoting basic skills in first aid, and using proven prevention techniques to tackle vector-borne and other communicable conditions”.
There is a manifest need to ensure the provision and access of up-to-date first aid tools and support. During the IFRC General Assembly 2011, several National Societies requested to scale-up and harmonise the first aid support.
Based on the work and results achieved by the European Reference Centre, it was agreed to create an International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Global First Aid Reference Centre as an integral component of the IFRC’s Global Health team, hosted and supported by the French Red Cross. Our main goal is to ensure a growing number of people and communities, anywhere (at home, at work, at school…), are prepared and equipped to save lives when a disaster or an emergency during daily life occurs.
Moreover, by giving ordinary people life-saving skills, first aid is also a cost-effective tool that empowers individuals by giving them a chance to help themselves and others, and contributes to building resilient communities, including vulnerable ones.