The American Red Cross is an integral part of the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which traces its origin back to the 1860's. It has had an active role in coming to the aid of other national societies and those in need since that time.

The Movement is composed of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation), and the various national Red Cross or Red Crescent societies of the world.

The ICRC, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, functions as a neutral intermediary in times of conflicts, disseminates international humanitarian law, and acts as a custodian of the Geneva conventions. The Federation, also headquartered in Geneva, is the permanent liaison body of national societies. It advises and assists national societies in the development and strengthening of their program capabilities and operations, and organizes international disaster relief and preparedness activity.

Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies such as the American Red Cross exist in almost every country in the world and carry out a variety of domestic and international activities and programs. In Israel, that national society is the Magen David Adom (MDA).

Although each national society defines its own mission designed to meet the needs of its own country, that mission must adhere to the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. These fundamental principles include: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES IN SCHUYLKILL & E. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY: Imagine. Relatives in a country devastated by war or famine and you don't know where they are, or if they're all right. International Services can help people find and then often communicate with one another. We also can help with locating victims of the Holocaust. Our last case helped one family put to rest many years of uncertainty by locating a person separated by war who died in a prison camp.

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