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The Roles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Times of War
Friday, March 14, 2003 — The military confrontation in Iraq brings attention to the roles of components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. As such, it is important to understand the role of the Movement components, including the American Red Cross at home, overseas during military action and in rendering humanitarian aid to the affected populations.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is comprised of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) and more than 180 national Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies which includes the American Red Cross.
Based on our Fundamental Principles, Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies may not take sides in hostilities or engage in political, racial, religious or ideological controversies. When controversies of such nature present themselves, whether quietly or on a community or nationwide stage, the members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement must remain neutral and provide impartial humanitarian services to victims of conflicts.
International Committee of the Red Cross
Based on the Geneva Conventions and other agreements, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) acts as the lead agency for the Movement during times of armed conflict. The Geneva Conventions are international treaties that mandate that vulnerable people not actively taking part in an armed conflict (such as: prisoners of war, sick and wounded soldiers and civilians) must be protected and their rights respected. The ICRC:
- Provides food, water, emergency relief and medical assistance to civilians without access to these basic necessities.
- Coordinates humanitarian relief efforts of the Movement in areas directly affected by conflict.
- Visits prisoners of war and civilian detainees held in relation to conflict to ensure that their conditions and treatment comply with the basic principles laid out in international humanitarian law.
- Conducts searches for missing persons.
- Exchanges messages to and from members of separated families.
- Reunites separated families.
- Helps to establish neutral and protected hospital and security zones in areas of conflict.
- Provides surgical equipment to hospitals for war-wounded and basic supplies to ensure that hospitals continue to operate during conflict.
- Through direct and confidential dialogue, reminds all sides participating in hostilities of their obligations under international humanitarian law - namely to respect and protect those not or no longer taking part in the fighting.
- Through direct and confidential dialogue, draws attention (to parties of the conflict) to serious violations of international humanitarian law and encourages respect for international humanitarian law.
- Educates the public about international humanitarian law and the role of the ICRC in conflict (to encourage respect for the red cross and red crescent emblems) and contributes to the development of humanitarian law.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) is the membership association and international coordination arm for the 179 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies throughout the world. Cooperation among national societies gives the Federation the ability to assist those most in need. The Federation endeavors to support its member national societies through capacity building. When the needs of people affected by disaster exceed the capacity of their national society, the Federation helps coordinate the international response of other national societies. During conflicts the Federation works under the leadership of the ICRC to provide humanitarian assistance as necessary.
The American Red Cross (one of the 179 recognized national societies)
As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the American Red Cross supports the provision of humanitarian relief to war victims during an armed conflict. This support includes offering assistance to civilians affected by the conflict and works with the ICRC to provide tracing and Red Cross message services on behalf of prisoners of war and separated civilians. Assistance is provided in accordance with the Red Cross fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality.
The American Red Cross also has a long history of offering support to the families of U.S. military personnel during times of peace and war. Putting families in touch with their loved ones in the armed forces during times of family crisis is a service that the American Red Cross is required to provide as mandated in its congressional charter.
In upholding the Fundamental Principles, including neutrality and impartiality, the American Red Cross does not take sides regarding the merits of any armed conflict. American Red Cross workers who deploy to U.S. military installations are civilians who do not carry weapons. They accompany the armed forces without actually being members of the military and provide emergency communications and other essential services.
The Geneva Conventions and the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross promotes and advocates respect for the protections of the Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law, especially during times of armed conflict. These protections stipulate humanitarian treatment without discrimination for wounded and sick members of the armed forces on land and at sea, prisoners of war and civilians. As a member of the Movement, the American Red Cross calls upon all governments to respect their obligations as defined in the Geneva Conventions and stresses the need to allow the ICRC to carry out its protective role.
Civilians displaced by conflict are especially vulnerable. They may be internally displaced persons within their native country or they may have been forced out of their country by the conflict and become refugees. In the event of war, humanitarian support to these displaced populations becomes a critical service of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Quiet Diplomacy
The American Red Cross, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as a whole, avoids publicly assigning fault or judging the behavior of governments with respect to violations of international humanitarian law.
Public statements alleging violations of the Geneva Conventions could jeopardize the Movement’s neutrality. In particular, the efforts of the ICRC to gain access to prisoners of war or provide other critical protection and assistance services could be compromised. Instead, the ICRC, as the lead agency in cases of armed conflict, follows a strategy of “quiet diplomacy,” working directly with the governments involved to achieve an appropriate level of recognition and respect for international humanitarian law.
Impartiality
The American Red Cross does not discriminate in its service delivery on the basis of nationality, race, religious belief, class or political opinion. Services are provided on the basis of need, giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
International Humanitarian Law Classes
Courses on the Geneva Conventions, the Fundamental Principles, and international humanitarian law are offered by American Red Cross chapters. To take a class, please contact your local chapter.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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