On 18 September 2025 the revised International Cooperation Strategy was formally acknowledged during the 271st Board of Presidents Meeting of the Austrian Red Cross. With this Strategy, the Austrian Red Cross defines its international engagement. National Society Development, Preparedness including Climate and Anticipatory Action and Disaster Risk Management are at the heart of all our support to International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners.

In the years to come our technical focus areas entail: First aid and prehospital care; health, care and social services to older people and vulnerable groups; service development, innovation and organisational support functions; water, sanitation and hygiene. Social entrepreneurship and business skills development, preparedness and strengthening the auxiliary role are given a high priority throughout the revised Strategy. Climate resilience, climate smart programming and addressing climate risks gain importance for future-oriented humanitarian assistance and longer-term support for people in need.

Our emergency response and recovery engagement is carried out globally. In our long-term programmes, we focus on supporting National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Eastern Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Crosscutting issues encompass cash and voucher assistance and environmental sustainability. Protection, gender and inclusion focus on safeguarding and women´s leadership. The broader concept of localisation is the fourth crosscutting issue including community engagement and accountability: Local actors need to become more central in the humanitarian system, being the ones providing services to their population long-term.

Our enabling factors are investing in our people (human resource management), financing what we do (fundraising) and advocating for vulnerable people (humanitarian diplomacy).