Our field survey relates to the operation "Red Cross at your door" imagined and developed in France during the first lockdown due to the Covid 19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. We interviewed numerous Red Cross volunteers and employees in France involved in this operation, both in Paris and in other French regions. Across their statements, beyond the experiences, ideals and values widely shared within the Red Cross, different approaches and types of commitment as well as multiple visions of the nature, meaning and goals of the operation, and of the Red Cross’ role itself, emerged. The survey makes it possible to identify different ways of arranging the relationships between the central "headquarters" and "local units" of the Red Cross. Through the results we obtained, as well as through the difficulties we had to face in accessing certain observations and data, the question of the articulation - varying in time and space - between the values, visions and resources present within the Red Cross had to be addressed. Last but not least, one has to consider relationships with other associations, with public authorities and - increasingly - with the world of business and the spirit of entrepreneurship. This contribution is also based on the seminar on "Humanitarian activities during the Covid 19 period" that we are leading at the EHESS in Paris