Many Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies lacked the digital tools and infrastructure needed to coordinate aid and respond effectively to crises.
Through the Digital Transformation Impact Platform (DTIP), IFRC collaborated with Microsoft and others to equip National Societies with modern tools.
The DTIP improves the speed, reach, and efficiency of humanitarian response, helping IFRC members save more lives worldwide.
When you call for an ambulance in Costa Rica, it’s the Costa Rican Red Cross (CRRC) that answers. As the country’s primary provider of no-cost ambulance services, the CRRC plays a pivotal role in Costa Rica’s health and safety infrastructure. With more than 100 branch offices across the country, the organization delivers essential services, including disaster response, emergency medical care, and health education. “Our teams are always ready to support communities affected by floods, landslides, and other emergencies,” says CRRC Society President Dyanne Marenco González. “Our commitment to humanitarian aid and community resilience is unwavering.”
That commitment reflects the vision of the broader Red Cross and Red Crescent network. As the world’s largest humanitarian network, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) unites 191 independent National Societies, including CRRC. With nearly 200,000 local branches, 600,000 staff members, and 16 million volunteers worldwide, the National Societies united under the IFRC prioritize local communities. “One of our mottos has always been that our disaster response efforts should be as local as possible and as international as necessary,” says IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain. “We don’t focus only on response, but also on strengthening community resilience in every place we work.”
Like many other National Societies facing resource constraints, the CRRC has struggled with outdated systems and paper-based processes, making it harder to coordinate its 5,000 volunteers and 1,300 employees and distribute crucial aid. “Today, many of our least-resourced National Societies lack even basic access to digital tools and services,” explains Chapagain. “With the phenomenal speed of digital progress over the past few years, some of our National Societies have been left behind very rapidly.”
IFRC launched the Digital Transformation Impact Platform (DTIP) to help bridge that divide. The organization collaborated with Microsoft and others to accelerate the process. “The platform is a way we can mobilize funds, knowledge, and technical capacity to keep those National Societies from being left behind,” says Chapagain.
“Together with Microsoft, we are bridging the digital divide.”
Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General, IFRC
The DTIP was created to increase the use of data and digital solutions while boosting digital literacy among volunteers and employees at more than 80 least-resourced IFRC National Societies around the world. In collaboration with Microsoft, IFRC initially focused on strengthening the digital capabilities and resources of National Societies like the CRRC. The IFRC works alongside each National Society to codevelop a digital transformation roadmap and support its implementation.
A secondary goal is to add new services enabled by digital transformation, such as data-driven early warning systems for disaster management. “Expanding this digital capacity will allow National Societies to provide more data-driven and digitally enabled humanitarian aid to people affected by crisis,” says Chapagain.
CRRC’s digital transformation journey began in the late 2000s, when the organization optimized its hardware and software resources and made the new tools available across its branch offices. Now, with DTIP in place, CRRC has implemented outsourced digital systems to improve its core service delivery, including a GPS fleet monitoring and control system to track patient transfers. The fleet management system tracks telematics information on every vehicle, including location, driver behavior, and CO2 emissions. In four years, the system yielded significant benefits, including a 19% decrease in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and 15% vehicle purchase cost savings.
“With better tools and systems, we can clearly communicate what we’re doing, who we’re helping, and how long it takes to respond to an emergency. With digitized systems, we can save more lives.”
Dyanne Marenco González, CRRC Society President, Costa Rica Red Cross
CRRC is now exploring new digital tools to strengthen its fundraising efforts, including an online fundraising portal and data analytics dashboards to track progress in real-time. “By embracing advanced digital tools, we will revolutionize volunteer engagement, making it seamless for individuals to connect and contribute to our mission,” says González. “Our fundraising efforts will become increasingly efficient and expansive, securing vital resources through innovative online platforms.”
The ongoing digital transformation empowers CRRC to respond more quickly and efficiently during emergencies and ensures that resources are used where they are needed most. “For our beneficiaries, this means faster, more reliable assistance, better access to vital information, and ultimately, a stronger, more resilient community,” González explains. “With better tools and systems, we can communicate what we’re doing, who we’re helping, and how long it takes to respond to an emergency. With digitized systems, we can save more lives.”
IFRC’s efforts are creating a resilient digital infrastructure designed to meet future challenges and embrace new opportunities, such as integrating advanced analytics and AI into everyday workflows.
“When you can see what’s happening in real time, use the cloud to connect the dots, and apply AI to understand what it means, you can step in before people even ask for help,” says Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. “It helps organizations respond faster, reach people sooner, and ultimately save lives. This kind of teamwork really gives us a chance to make a meaningful difference.”
To date, DTIP has supported more than 30 National Societies by providing access to Microsoft 365 tools, devices, connectivity, security, and digital skill-building for staff and volunteers.
The Gambia Red Cross Society was among the first to implement Minimum Technology Blueprint, establishing core digital infrastructure including connectivity, devices, and Microsoft 365 tools.
At the Georgia Red Cross Society, DTIP supports secure collaboration, identity management, and digital engagement, enabling the organization to scale its humanitarian services more effectively.
The Moroccan Red Cross Society has adopted Azure and implemented a digital engagement system that is helping them improve their operations and achieve their goals.
With powerful digital tools in place, CRRC and many other National Societies are improving the quality, speed, and efficiency of humanitarian services, expanding access, and reducing environmental impact. “Together with Microsoft, we are bridging the digital divide,” says Chapagain. “We’re helping millions of the world’s most vulnerable people and bringing aid and hope to those who need it most.”
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“Expanding this digital capacity will allow National Societies to provide more data-driven and digitally enabled humanitarian aid to people affected by crisis.”
Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General, IFRC
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