The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) is a private organisation that also carries out public tasks on a mandate from the Swiss government or the cantonal authorities. As a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which has its headquarters in Geneva, it is part of a worldwide network of 188 National Societies. The purpose of the SRC’s activities is to protect the lives, health and dignity of human beings. The SRC comprises its headquarters in Bern, 24 cantonal associations, 5 corporate members and 3 institutions. The strength of this humanitarian group lies in its diversity and broad scope, combined with its close links to the Swiss population. The SRC is a neutral and independent organisation and the only recognised Red Cross Society in Switzerland.