Just over a year ago, I was appointed CEO of the British Red Cross. There could never be an easy time to take on the leadership of a global humanitarian organisation, but this past year has been one of immense challenge.

We live in a world of protracted and overlapping crises. In the UK, thousands of people have been impacted by disasters and emergencies such as floods, storms and extreme weather. At the same time, the rising cost of living has exacerbated hardships, and health inequalities continue to push people deeper into crisis. Around the world we are witnessing the worsening impact of climate change, the escalation of multiple armed conflicts and an unprecedented number of people displaced from their homes.

While the need for our global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has never been clearer, these challenges at home and abroad have given us an opportunity to pause and reflect on our priorities as an organisation and how we can better equip our people be there for those in crisis.

Our newly refreshed strategy outlines a set of objectives which will help us deliver vital humanitarian support and effective advocacy in the UK and overseas, while ensuring that we have the resources, talent, and efficient systems and processes to make an impact where we are most urgently needed.

Improving preparedness and resilience in the UK

The British Red Cross exists support people in their hour of greatest need. We will renew our focus on responding to disasters and emergencies, improving health and care outcomes for people, and supporting those seeking safety in the UK.

We want communities to be better prepared to deal with a crisis before it occurs. We’ll continue to work with communities, civil society and government to respond together when disasters strike. As part of this, we will be working to embed UK resilience as a national priority to ensure the communities at greatest risk can prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

No one should be falling through the gaps in our health and care system. We will be focussing our energy on supporting people to manage their wellbeing through our longstanding community-based care, while advocating for UK investment into preventative health and care programmes and promoting health equity.

As the biggest provider of refugee services in the UK, we’ll continue to work with those seeking safety, restoring connections with loved ones, and, crucially, using our trusted voice to make the case for safe routes to the UK and a fairer asylum system.

Locally led international response

The British Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, a Movement that is powered by local action. Our partner Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies are part of the very communities they serve, and we are committed to supporting them to respond immediately to crises of all kinds. Alongside this, we will work to accelerate community-led climate resilience as well as our vital work to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law - an aspect of our work that is needed now, more than ever.

Building a movement

None of this would be possible without our incredible workforce of staff and volunteers. As an organisation, we are committed to growing and empowering our vibrant movement of volunteers, and continuing to develop a culture of equity, trust and active inclusivity.

At the same time, we redouble our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint to net zero, and to reducing waste, simplifying processes and optimising the amount of time and money we spend supporting people in crises.

Here for humanity for 150 more years

From crises which have captured the world’s attention, to those which go unnoticed, our staff and volunteers are here in the UK and around the world to meet the needs of people who’ve had their lives upended by conflicts, disasters and emergencies.

Supporting people in crisis is what the British Red Cross has done for over 150 years. This renewed focus and updated strategy will help us continue to be here for humanity, for 150 more.

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