The Fundamental Principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality - reflect a certain discipline within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, but they also and above all convey an overriding concern for human welfare. Admittedly, the Red Cross was not the first to relieve human suffering. Solidarity and compassion have always been widely expressed in both words and deeds in the most diverse cultures. What this brochure seeks to highlight is the very specific nature of the work carried out by the Red Cross and Red Crescent to alleviate human suffering.