The Russian Red Cross (RRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed a cooperation agreement for 2025 with a view to jointly implement humanitarian programs and enhance RRC’s emergency response and relief capacity. The document was signed by President of the Russian Red Cross Pavel Savchuk and Head of the ICRC Delegation for the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus Boris Michel.
“Our cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross exemplifies how joint efforts can facilitate the provision of assistance to people in distress as quickly as possible and with maximum quality. In 2025 we will continue pooling our efforts to support those who need our help, especially in a crisis situation. Last year’s results highlight the importance of synergy to effectively respond to ever-changing needs of people facing large-scale humanitarian challenges,” says Pavel Savchuk, Russian Red Cross President and member of the Russian Federation Civic Chamber.
The work will be focused to a great extent on relief operations in the Kursk region where the humanitarian situation remains extremely difficult. Throughout the year, with ICRC support, the Russian Red Cross will continue its efforts to restore family links with missing residents of the region. Since August 2024, the Russian Red Cross helped restore family links with more than 1,400 Kursk region inhabitants. Also last year, as a result of this collaboration, 46 persons previously included in tracing lists in relation to the Kursk crisis were returned to Russia from Ukraine.
“With each passing year our partnership is growing stronger and broader. I am proud that through our joint programs we managed to reach tens of thousands of people affected by the conflict providing, in particular, timely financial support,” Boris Michel, ICRC Head of Regional Delegation for the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, pointed out.
One of the key collaboration areas under the agreement will be RRC emergency preparedness support. The 2025 work plan includes the development of the RRC Federal Emergency Response Team, a force which successfully provides quick emergency relief nationwide.
The agreement also emphasizes Ukrainian crisis response. In 2024 joint RRC and ICRC programs supported over 48,000 people, including many who applied for assistance more than once. In 2025 RRC will continue to support refugees and displaced people arriving to Russia from Ukraine and Donbass. Such support will include humanitarian and psychological assistance as well as assistance in restoring family links.
In 2025 ICRC will continue supporting RRC educational programs to promote public learning in the areas of emergency action and first aid. In addition, ICRC will provide further support to RRC programs aimed to disseminate knowledge about the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, its Fundamental Principles and International Humanitarian Law.
The Russian Red Cross continuously cooperates with a wide community of partners including international and national organizations, business companies and individuals who support its humanitarian activities. The International Committee of the Red Cross is among our leading partners in assisting population affected by the Ukrainian crisis and the Kursk region emergency. Due to our joint work with partners and donations from people who care enable RRC to implement key programs and projects aimed at providing relief and assistance to those affected and enhancing preparedness for emergencies. In 2024 the Russian Red Cross provided assistance to more than 2 million people all over the country.
