The new headquarters of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva's Petit Saconnex district
swissinfo.ch
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has inaugurated its new headquarters in Geneva that was funded via a Swiss government loan.
This content was published on
2 minutes
I am a climate and science/technology reporter. I am interested in the effects of climate change on everyday life and scientific solutions.
Born in London, I am a dual citizen of Switzerland and the UK. After studying modern languages and translation, I trained as a journalist and joined swissinfo.ch in 2006. My working languages are English, German, French and Spanish.
“This building is the house of humanity… it is the house of our 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and the house of our 14 million volunteers. The International Federation is deeply connected to Geneva and I would like to thank all of you for making us feel so at home here,” IFRC President Francesco Rocca told guests at the inauguration ceremony in Geneva on Monday.
The new CHF59.4 million ($58.3 million) headquarters building was built thanks to an interest-free Swiss government loan. Around 350 IFRC staff currently work there.
The inauguration in Geneva took place the day after the organisation celebrated its 100th anniversary. Known earlier as the League of Red Cross Societies, the IFRCExternal link was created on May 5, 1919 by the American, British, Italian, Japanese and French Red Cross Societies at the end of the First World War to provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in peacetime.
The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) joined in 1920. Geneva has been home to the IFRC secretariat headquarters since the start, except for a brief period in Paris from 1922-39. The SRC has been an ex officio member of the IFRC since 1939 due to its host status.
“We are extremely proud to host the secretariat that coordinates the biggest humanitarian network in the world,” Valentin Zellweger, the Swiss ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told the audience at the ceremony.
“Switzerland is delighted that the IFRC is able to celebrate its centenary in larger, modern headquarters which are well integrated in the local area and an example in terms of energy-saving technology.”
Renamed “the Federation” in the early 1990s, the IFRC focuses on helping the most vulnerable affected by disasters and health emergencies around the world.
The founding member of the Red Cross Movement – the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)External link, established earlier in 1863 – is also based in Geneva. It focuses mainly on helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war.
More
More
Renovations set to transform International Geneva
This content was published on
A dozen major renovation and new building projects are underway for Geneva-based international organisations.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
‘Pressure will increase on Switzerland to invest more in defence’
This content was published on
Markus Mäder, Switzerland's state secretary for security policy, believes that more cooperation is needed in order to strengthen defence in Europe.
Just one in five Swiss attend a religious service at Easter
This content was published on
Only one in five people in Switzerland attend a religious service during the Easter period or give up meat or alcohol for at least one day of fasting. Around 25% of those polled see Easter primarily as a family holiday, according to the survey.
Major road disruptions continue after heavy snowfall in parts of Switzerland
This content was published on
The snowfall has ended in the southern Swiss canton of Valais, the cantonal emergency services said on Friday. Several roads, however, remain closed.
Swiss businessman gets prison term for asbestos deaths
This content was published on
Stephan Schmidheiny has been sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison by the Turin Court of Appeal in a case against the former Eternit executive over deaths linked to asbestos exposure in Italy.
This content was published on
Swiss imports and exports reached new heights in the first quarter, driven by the chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. Shipments to the US rose sharply.
This content was published on
The international district in Geneva is undergoing huge changes as part of the long-term “Jardin des Nations” cantonal development project. In all, over CHF2 billion ($2 billion) is being invested in new buildings and major renovations, as well as local transport. A considerable chunk of the finance consists of federal and cantonal loans. Here are…
This content was published on
News that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) had uncovered fraud in its Ebola operation caused dismay.
This content was published on
The Swiss cabinet on Wednesday agreed to lend CHF9.9 million ($10.3 million) towards the renovation of the ICRC’s headquarters building in Geneva. The money will be reimbursed over 30 years at a preferential interest rate. The historic white building, known as the ‘Carlton’ and located opposite the United Nations complex, was constructed in 1876 and…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.