Global First Aid Reference Centre
WHO WE ARE – IFRC Reference Centre
The European Centre for First Aid Education was created in 1996 then became Global First Aid Reference Centre (GFARC) in 2012 to answer growing demands in our field. Our ultimate objectives are to reduce the number of deaths and the severity of injuries as well as to make people and communities more resilient using first aid.
The Global First Aid Reference Centre is a ‘centre of excellence’ of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) hosted by the French Red Cross. We collaborate with 192 National Societies as well as scientific, institutional and private partners.
We work closely with National Societies to facilitate knowledge sharing between them and to promote quality first aid education at the global level.
In order to ensure that first aid techniques are relevant to any country and any situation, we participate in numerous studies undertaken by medical doctors, scientists and researchers.
The Red Cross Red Crescent reference centres are delegated functions of the IFRC and hosted in various Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies. Their primary function as ‘centres of excellence’ are to develop strategically important knowledge and best practice that will inform the future operations of the IFRC and National Societies in their key areas of interest and influence.
The benefits of Red Cross Red Crescent reference centres are numerous: the promotion of strong, sustainable National Societies, the strengthening of external facing humanitarian collaboration and ultimately the maximisation of collective humanitarian.
The work of GFARC and partners in developing First Aid Guidelines and making them virtually available is no doubt a breakthrough which contributes to availing of evidence-based First Aid to reach out to remote communities especially in Uganda and other parts of Africa. They will provide a competitive edge for the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement as makes our first aid more attractive and easily accessible. Availing these Guidelines through a virtual platform makes us provide real-time First Aid care based on principles of equity, effectiveness and efficiency, as well as providing valuable tool for regularly updating our First Aid manuals and other materials aligning to the latest scientific evidence.
Brochure
Read the IFRC Global First Aid Reference Centre’s brochure about the centre’s expertise, projects and missions.
French Red Cross
The Global First Aid Reference Centre is hosted and supported by the French Red Cross. Find out more on their website.
