International Committee of the Red Cross
Neutral, impartial, and independent. Discover our values and mission.
The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization. We have a mandate to help and protect people affected by armed conflict and other violence or – as our mission statement puts it – “other situations of violence”. When we talk about other violence, we mean violence that has not reached the threshold of an armed conflict but is carried out by large groups and has consequences in humanitarian terms. This mandate was given to us by states through the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005 and the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement of 1986. Our mandate and legal status sets us apart from both intergovernmental organizations (such as the specialized agencies of the United Nations) and non-governmental organizations. This status allows us to function independently of governments and to serve, with complete impartiality, the people most in need of protection and assistance. The ICRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which also comprises 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The ICRC works closely with National Societies and the IFRC to ensure a concerted, efficient and rapid response to conflict or violence. The Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world.
Overview of the Singapore Red Cross
1. The Singapore Red Cross is a homegrown humanitarian organisation established in 1949, dedicated to relieving human suffering, protecting lives and dignity, and responding to emergencies . It serves vulnerable communities through various programmes, including services for the disabled, elderly aid, transport assistance, and community first aid. Since April 2001, the SRC has been appointed as Singapore's National Blood Donor Recruiter, working in partnership with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply for all patients in Singapore. Why the Singapore Red Cross is Important for Blood Donation: It Secures the Nation's Blood Supply. Every hour, 15 units of blood are used in Singapore, amounting to approximately 120,000 to 128,000 units needed annually to meet patient transfusion needs . The SRC plays a critical role by: Recruiting and retaining blood donors. Promoting and educating the public on the importance of blood donation. Organising mobile blood donation drives across the community
2. It Responds to Critical Shortages
Blood has a short shelf life — six weeks for red cells and only seven days for platelets — making regular donations essential . The SRC actively monitors blood stock levels and issues public appeals when supplies run low. For example, in January 2024, an appeal for Group O blood resulted in over 5,300 donors stepping forward, improving O+ blood stock by nearly 230% .
3. It Addresses Singapore's Ageing Population Challenge
Singapore is approaching super-aged status in 2026, creating a double challenge: patients aged 60 and above account for 60% of red blood cell usage, yet the pool of eligible young donors is shrinking . Youth donations have fallen from 20,000 to under 9,600 over the past decade . Without action, demand for blood could outstrip supply as early as 2033. The SRC tackles this through: Expanding eligibility criteria — raising the first-time donor age limit from 60 to 65 years. Youth engagement initiatives like YouthInspire, a volunteer club with over 1,000 members that promotes peer-to-peer advocacy. Workplace partnerships through the "Adopt a Bloodbank" programme, encouraging organisations to mobilise employees as regular donors.
4. It Saves Lives Across Medical Needs
Blood is essential for: Surgeries (including trauma and heart surgery) — 39% of blood usage. General medicine — 32%. Haematology (blood diseases like thalassaemia and leukaemia) — 10%. Oncology (cancer patients) — 10%. Obstetrics and Gynaecology — 5%. One unit of blood can save up to three lives.
5. It Builds a Culture of Regular, Voluntary Donation
Only 4 in 10 donors donate more than once a year, which is insufficient for a stable blood supply . The SRC emphasises that blood donation is a shared responsibility and an essential component of community resilience. As Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of SRC, stated: "Blood donation is... reflecting a caring and cohesive society. It is important to have a steady influx of donors to ensure timely access to blood for patients in need".
How You Can Help: The SRC encourages everyone who is eligible to donate blood regularly — at least twice a year. You can also become a blood donation advocate, volunteer at blood drives, or encourage your workplace to adopt a Bloodbank. Every donation is a lifeline for someone undergoing surgery, fighting cancer, or living with a blood disorder. As the SRC's theme for World Blood Donor Day 2025 reminds us: "One Community, Many Lifesavers"