Raising smiles
There are lots of things you can raise in this world…
A glass, an idea, a concern. A hand, a question, a child….
We’re choosing to raise funds and smiles,
For those who have been harmed, displaced and exiled.
During dark times our clowns light up little faces,
For aid workers we create joy in disaster-stricken places.
From missions in Greece and Turkey to Italy and Ukraine,
We bring dance and play amidst the fear and pain.
We all deserve fun, even when life turns upside down,
We see children’s mental health improve, thanks to every clown.
With your donation we support families to cope,
With your donation we prove that in laughter there is hope.
Why Emergency Smile
In 2013, RED NOSES International developed an emergency response programme called Emergency Smile.
This programme is a holistic intervention which aims to promote emotional well-being, greater social inclusion, and address the psychosocial needs of people in crisis settings.
Emergency Smile allows RED NOSES to go beyond the borders of its eleven partner countries sending specially trained healthcare clowns to areas of crisis in cooperation with international aid organisations already working on the ground.
Art and humour have the potential to help develop compassionate and person-centred care for all, and RED NOSES is on a mission to share the restorative power of laughter with those who need it most.
In laughter, there is hope.
FAQs - About our Humanitarian Missions
We focus on communities affected by conflict, displacement, or disaster—especially where emotional support is urgently needed. We work in close partnership with local and international organisations to ensure we reach the people who need us most.
Our missions are funded through a mix of grants, donations, and contributions from our partner organisations. We are committed to transparency and ensure all funds are used responsibly to bring emotional relief through artistic interventions.
Our goal is to bring moments of joy, human connection, and emotional strength to people living in difficult circumstances, delivered through various Emergency Smile programme activities. Especially for children, this helps restore a sense of safety and lightness—if only for a moment.
We collect both feedback and field observations to assess impact, and we work closely with partners on the ground to ensure our efforts respond to actual needs. Our in-house research department also supports the ongoing evaluation of our work.
Our approach is always collaborative. Rather than imposing outside ideas, we adapt to local realities and work side-by-side with professionals in the region to ensure our methods are culturally appropriate and relevant.
Our artists receive in-depth training in trauma-sensitive methods, cultural awareness, and emergency procedures. We also work with psychologists and humanitarian experts to prepare teams for the challenges they may face in the field.
We never make light of anyone’s experience. Instead, we create space for people to reconnect with their own strength—through carefully considered artistic interaction. By finding and nurturing moments of joy, we help people rediscover lightness even in dark times. Our work is about dignity, not distraction.
We work with experienced local partners, follow strict safety protocols, and prepare thoroughly for every mission. Our teams have access to safety training, regular briefings, and contingency plans to handle unexpected situations.
We adapt our performances and methods to the cultural context of each region, always in dialogue with local partners. Listening and learning are part of every mission.
Our work is focused on people—not politics. We offer emotional support to individuals, regardless of background, and keep our missions free of political agendas or affiliations.