IBC at a glance

In many countries, the harmful use of alcohol and drugs hinder sustainable social and economic development. People live in precarious conditions in need, unemployment and without perspective. International Blue Cross is therefore committed to reducing the negative impact of alcohol and drug use worldwide and to enabling a constructive coexistence in societies - free of violence, oppression and addiction-related diseases! From Switzerland to the Faroe Islands, from Congo to Brazil - since 1886, IBC has been committed to those who live on the margins of society and seek to alleviate their hardship.

As a non-governmental umbrella organisation, IBC coordinates the activities of nearly 40 affiliated member organisations in 37 countries. They form a network that helps people on four continents lead an addictive-free life.

As a global health organisation, IBC also implements international development cooperation programmes in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Programme activities include alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and counselling as well as international policy advice and lobbying.

Since 2013, IBC implements programmes with local partners in the Republic of Chad, the Republic of the Congo and Togo.

More than 1,000 social workers, prevention experts and other professionals around the world under the Blue Cross flag care for people with alcohol and drug problems - and those at risk.

Goals

• Prevent and reduce abuse of alcohol and drugs

• Promote holistic well-being

• To mitigate the adverse health, social and economic consequences of alcohol and drug use

IBC works following the prioritised UN development goals, is ZEWO certified and has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC).

Our History

The origins of the Blue Cross movement and thus of the international umbrella organisation IBC go back to the 19th century. Alcohol problems were widespread in the society of that time. This prompted the Swiss pastor Louis-Lucien Rochat to get involved for those affected. Together with his colleagues, he tried to alleviate the suffering of alcohol-dependent people. His commitment led to the official founding of the Blue Cross on 21 September 1877 in Geneva.

Soon, the Blue Cross movement spread beyond the Swiss borders. This created the need to unite the individual groups under one international umbrella organisation. That's why the "Comité International" was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland) in 1886 - and thus the International Blue Cross was born. Soon the movement not only crossed national borders but also spread beyond Europe: in 1906 the first non-European Blue Cross organisation was founded in Africa, Ghana. Today, nearly 40 national organisations from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America are part of the International Blue Cross.

Support Groups

The national Blue Cross organisations around the world facilitate mutual and self-help groups, creating healthy living communities. People with the same disease or in similar life situations meet regularly in support groups. The groups are an important part of the recovery process after treatment or after a rehabilitation program. The groups are effective to prevent a relapse into addiction. Groups are facilitated by Blue Cross professionals or volunteers. Based on mutual support, aftercare groups provide a community experience, personal growth, increased confidence and a greater sense of meaning in life

Other

National Blue Cross organisations offer a range of re-integration support services customized to the regions they serve, such as Drop in Centres, Solutions for Homelessness and Pre-Employment schemes. They all aim at establishing an independent and meaningful life.