British Red Cross welcomes HRH The Prince of Wales at UK headquarters

The British Red Cross welcomed His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at their headquarters in Central London, today, Tuesday, 20 February 2024.

The Prince joined the British Red Cross Chief Executive, Béatrice Butsana-Sita, and Chair of the Board, Liz Padmore, to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

As part of the visit, The Prince was briefed on the current humanitarian operation on the ground, including the work of the Red Cross Red Crescent movement in delivering lifesaving aid and upholding international humanitarian law.

The Prince was also briefed on the psychosocial support offered by British Red Cross volunteers to British nationals in the region. The Prince spoke via video link to colleagues from both the Palestine Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross who are working day in day out to provide critical support to those caught up in the conflict.

The British Red Cross is working alongside the Movement to respond to the unfolding crisis in the region, and its Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal continues to raise vital funds to support the Palestine Red Crescent Society, the Magen David Adom in Israel, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Béatrice Butsana-Sita, chief executive at the British Red Cross, said:

“The Royal Family have showed enduring support for our work both here in the UK and around the world. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to speak to His Royal Highness about the humanitarian crisis in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the response of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

“Four months after hostilities escalated, it is civilians who pay the price as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. In all communities, families are grieving those killed and treating the injured, yearning to be reunited with loved ones held captive, while those who have fled their homes desperately seek refuge.

“Our appeal is helping to fund the vital work of Red Cross and Red Crescent teams at the forefront of this humanitarian response. Teams who are working day and night, risking and tragically losing their lives to deliver lifesaving assistance to those in need. The British Red Cross will continue to work alongside them for as long as we are needed."

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Notes to editors 

The British Red Cross deployed Global Surge delegates to Egypt and Jordan to support with the delivery and distribution of aid and humanitarian assistance, as well as Psychosocial Support Teams to Tel Aviv, Cairo and Cyprus, alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to provide support to British Nationals caught up in the conflict, including those who were evacuated from the region.

The British Red Cross and the Royal Family

The Royal Family has a long-standing relationship with the British Red Cross. They have supported numerous appeals for disasters and emergencies over many years. Members of the Royal Family have also been a source of support and comfort to people during some of the toughest times in their lives, meeting British Red Cross volunteers and the people they support on numerous occasions.

About the British Red Cross 

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers across 191 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders. 

About the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement

The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, often referred to as the Movement, is made up of three parts, each of which plays a distinct and complementary role.

National Societies, like the British Red Cross, the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom in Israel, work throughout their countries to respond to humanitarian needs locally and nationally.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is a membership organisation which unites the National Societies and provides support and coordination to its members.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an independent organisation with a special role under international humanitarian law to help people around the world affected by armed conflict, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering.