The Finnish Red Cross strengthens its capacity to respond to changing aid needs

On Sunday 7 June 2026, the Red Cross General Assembly adopted a new strategy for the period 2027–2029. The General Assembly, held every three years, is the highest decision-making body of the Finnish Red Cross, appointing the organisation’s highest elected officials and approving its strategy.  

The strategy of the Finnish Red Cross sets the guidelines for the organisation’s work for three years at a time. A wide range of Red Cross volunteers and employees took part in the preparation and commenting of the strategy.

“We live in a time of change and overlapping crises. The new strategy guides our work, in which we need to be able to respond to and meet changing needs for aid at an increasing pace. In the coming years, we will focus on preparedness and strengthening the resilience of both communities and society. Alongside its response efforts, the Red Cross has always been a force for change in society, defending people in vulnerable positions,” says Eero Rämö, Secretary General of the Finnish Red Cross. 

The Finnish Red Cross strengthens society’s crisis resilience 

The new strategy will help the Finnish Red Cross strengthen local communities. The volunteers know the local needs and are present in people’s day-to-day lives.  

Helping people in their daily lives supports identifying the needs for aid and responding to them. For example, various meeting places reinforce people’s sense of belonging to their local community. The activities of the local Red Cross branch also reminds people that help is available close at hand, if needed. When local communities are strong, aid can be delivered swiftly and effectively, even in crisis situations.  

The Red Cross is committed to ensuring that people in need of aid can access it quickly. Information on needs for aid is collected and utilised locally to enable the Red Cross to help where it is most needed.  

As a preparedness organisation, the Finnish Red Cross aims to strengthen the ability of society as a whole to handle crises and emergencies. The organisation is ready to act as a reliable and humane provider of aid at national, regional and local levels.  

“It is important to us at the Red Cross to be able to ensure that we can help people in all situations. Humanitarian aid must be possible and our independence must be maintained even when the social climate is controversial or challenging. We also seek to influence political decisions, policies and legislation that are relevant to the beneficiaries and our operations,” says Rämö.