World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

2026 Theme

United in Humanity (sub-tagline: No Matter Where, No Matter When)

Theme by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Campaign Representation

Officially represented by a custom symbol.

Campaign Description

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, observed annually on 8 May, celebrates the humanitarian principles and lifesaving work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Commemorating the birth anniversary of the Movement's founder, Henry Dunant, the day honors millions of volunteers and staff who provide emergency relief, healthcare, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and support to vulnerable communities around the world.

Theme Focus

“United in Humanity” focuses on the shared humanity that connects people across borders, cultures and circumstances. It recognizes the volunteers and staff who turn compassion into practical action during conflicts, disasters, displacement, health emergencies and everyday community challenges.

The 2026 campaign particularly emphasizes local humanitarian action: people helping their own neighbors, communities supporting one another, and volunteers remaining present when crises make life difficult. It also highlights the need to protect humanitarian workers and uphold the principles that allow humanitarian assistance to reach people impartially.

Key Priorities

Promote humanity, dignity and compassion in humanitarian action
Celebrate Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff
Strengthen community-led and locally rooted humanitarian action
Support people affected by conflict, disasters and other crises
Protect humanitarian workers and volunteers
Uphold neutrality, impartiality and independence
Ensure humanitarian assistance reaches people based on need
Strengthen community resilience and preparedness
Support displaced people and other populations affected by crises
Provide health, first aid, psychosocial and other essential humanitarian services
Maintain humanitarian access during emergencies
Promote respect for international humanitarian law
Encourage solidarity across communities and borders
Recognize the contribution of ordinary people to humanitarian action

Key Concepts

Red Cross
Red Crescent
Humanitarian action
Humanitarian principles
Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary service
Unity
Universality
Humanitarian workers
Volunteers
Community resilience
Disaster response
Emergency response
First aid
Disaster preparedness
Health emergencies
Conflict
Displacement
Refugees
Migrants
Psychosocial support
Community health
Humanitarian access
International humanitarian law
Dignity
Solidarity
Protection of civilians
Local humanitarian action
Community-led response
Resilience
Crisis response

Campaign Resources & Support

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – https://www.ifrc.org – Official World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day campaign information, humanitarian initiatives, emergency response resources, and volunteer opportunities.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – https://www.icrc.org – Resources on international humanitarian law, conflict response, protection of civilians, and humanitarian action.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day – https://www.ifrc.org/world-red-cross-and-red-crescent-day – Official campaign page featuring the annual theme, campaign materials, stories, and educational resources.
World Health Organization (WHO) – Health Emergencies – https://www.who.int/emergencies – Guidance on emergency preparedness, disaster response, and humanitarian health.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – https://www.unocha.org – Information on global humanitarian crises, emergency coordination, and disaster response efforts.