Improvement of living conditions

The central objective of the German Red Cross is to comprehensively secure the livelihoods of vulnerable people and communities through adequate access to income and resources. Livelihoods are considered secure when a household can meet its basic needs, compensate for risks, and mitigate crises and emergencies.

In this context, the GRC – in cooperation with its respective Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – supports vulnerable population groups both in urban and rural settings, it addresses the different dimensions of livelihoods through sustainably strengthening the local self-help capacities.

The German Red Cross takes action in emergency situations and ongoing crises to meet short- to medium-term needs, but it also provides development-oriented and structural assistance aimed at sustainably improving the complex and structural components of livelihoods.

Short-term measures

Short-term activities to secure livelihoods include, for example, cash-for-work programmes. Within these programmes, the affected population actively participates in the construction of houses or infrastructure. In return, the people receive wages that can be used during the transition period to support themselves and their families.

Long-term measures

Medium- and long-term actions can target income-generating activities in manufacturing or trade, include the development of infrastructure, promote the protection and access to natural resources, or serve to strengthen social networks. The GRC´s work frequently promotes agricultural production, mainly small-scale farming in rural areas. Considering innovative approaches as well as social and environmental sustainability participants increase their production, diversify their sources of income or improve their processing and marketing.