ABSTRACT
The Red Cross and Red Crescent-both the organisation and the emblems-are well known throughout most of the world, including in the Commonwealth. What is less well known and understood is the structure of the organisation or, more properly, Movement; the significance and protected status of the emblems used by its components, and the legal position of its different components, in particular, the status and role of National Red Cross and National Red Crescent Societies as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their respective countries in the humanitarian field. This short article will seek to explain these matters, with reference to Commonwealth States. It is hoped to show why the National Society should be considered the humanitarian partner of choice of Commonwealth Governments, deserving of support nationally, regionally and internationally, including within the Commonwealth.
