The utility and limits of legal mandate: humanitarian assistance, the International Committee of the Red Cross and mandate ambiguity

2014 ◽  
pp. 81-106
Author(s):  
Rotem Giladi
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Legal Mandate

The International Committee of the Red Cross and humanitarian assistance: A policy analysis

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (314) ◽  
pp. 512-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Forsythe
Keyword(s):  
Cold War ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
World History ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Emergency Relief ◽  
Complex Emergencies ◽  
The Cold War

In today's armed conflicts and complex emergencies more civilians suffer than combatants. After the Cold War one could identify a zone of turmoil in which civilian suffering was acute. But one could also identify a zone of stability from which operated a complicated system of humanitarian assistance designed to respond to civilian suffering. Media coverage emphasized the suffering, but never before in world history had such a kaleidoscope of humanitarian actors tried to provide emergency relief during armed conflicts and complex emergencies. Inevitably calls were heard for better organization and coordination, and in 1991–92 the United Nations created a Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA).

Chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear events: The humanitarian response framework of the International Committee of the Red Cross

2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (899) ◽  
pp. 647-661
Author(s):  
Gregor Malich ◽  
Robin Coupland ◽  
Steve Donnelly ◽  
Johnny Nehme
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Humanitarian Response ◽  
Nuclear Events ◽  
Competency Based ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Operational Activities

AbstractMounting an effective international humanitarian response to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) event, especially if the response is undertaken on an ad hoc basis, would be extremely difficult and would pose many risks to the responders. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has created a competency-based capacity to respond to at least small-scale CBRN events, including a deployable capability to undertake operational activities. This involves informed assessments of CBRN risks, timely and competent decisions on how to respond, and effectively mobilizing appropriate resources to implement these decisions, through the creation of an emergency roster. In addition to the acquisition of technical expertise and material resources, the creation of such capacity requires the application of central processes, ensuring systematic management of CBRN response (including risk-based decision-making), standing operational procedures, and availability of and access to the necessary resources. Implementation of the ICRC's CBRN response framework as described in this article should be considered by any agency or other stakeholder preparing for international humanitarian assistance in CBRN events – especially if such events are related to armed conflict.

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan: reasserting the neutrality of humanitarian action

2011 ◽  
Vol 93 (881) ◽  
pp. 173-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Terry
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Guiding Principle ◽  
Humanitarian Action ◽  
Cast Doubt

AbstractNeutrality as a guiding principle of humanitarian action was roundly rejected by most actors in Afghanistan's latest conflict. One party to the conflict commandeered assistance and aid organizations into a counter-insurgency campaign, and the other rejected Western aid organizations as agents of an imperialist West. The murder in 2003 of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) water engineer Ricardo Munguia, because of what he symbolized, cast doubt on whether the ICRC could be perceived as neutral in this highly polarized context. Rather than abandon a neutral stance, however, as so many aid organizations did, the ICRC persevered and, through some innovative and sometimes risky initiatives, managed to show both sides the benefits of having a neutral intermediary in conflict. Today, the ICRC continues to expand its reach to Afghans in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

The International Committee and the events in Cuba

1961 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-143
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Geneva Conventions

Since the beginning of the events which took place in Cuba in April 1961, the International Committee of the Red Cross, in accordance with its traditions and with the spirit of the Geneva Conventions, has offered its humanitarian assistance in favour of all the victims of these events.

scholarly journals Incorporation of Humanitarian Programs: Ukraine’s Experience

2018 ◽  
pp. 466-484
Author(s):  
Alain Aeschlimann
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Transition Economy ◽  
Geneva Convention ◽  
Legal Aspect ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Military Conflict ◽  
Fast Pace

Mr Aeschlimann tells the story of the establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross and its main activities. He notes that the Committee was founded by Henri Dunant from Switzerland. The symbol of Red Cross was not a coincidence; Henri Dunant associated it with health protection. It is also noteworthy that the symbol resembles the flag of Switzerland. Since the very inception, the primary responsibility of the organisation was taking care of injured soldiers and captives; later on, it started to help abused people. Soon enough, the organisation began to provide food to the people in need. Mr Aeschlimann also emphasises that the International Committee of the Red Cross has worked in line with the principles of international humanitarian law and cooperated with states for its improvement since its foundation and adoption of the First Geneva Convention. The legal aspect is also an important part of the organisation’s work. In general, the Committee has a broad range of activities, totally depending on the state of a conflict or domestic violence. The International Committee of the Red Cross launched aggressive activities in 2014, following the outbreak of the military conflict in the east of Ukraine. The organisation pays much attention to the following aspects related to its operation in Ukraine: the conflict was unleashed between nations with similar mentality and is of highly politicised and polarised character. Representatives of the organisation act not only in the territory under Ukrainian control but also in the occupied territory. Mr Aeschlimann mentions that the most challenging aspect of working in Ukraine is to adjust to the fast pace of drastic changes in the country due to sweeping reforms and transition economy. Moreover, the organisation faced certain difficulties in providing humanitarian assistance, but currently all the subtleties have been settled and the ICRC is operating in favourable conditions. Among the priority tasks of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the following can be singled out: expansion of activities, namely measures on the search for missing persons, expansion of a program of support of psychosocial and psychological health. Special attention is drawn to provision of first aid to people near to the collision line. Mr Aeschlimann also tells how he chose this profession, his free time taking into account a busy working schedule, and his favourite places in Ukraine. Keywords: the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICRC mission, the First Geneva Convention, humanitarian assistance, conflict.

scholarly journals FAMINE IN THE COUNTRY IN 1921-1922: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E.N. Ermukanov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
The State ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Homeless Children ◽  
Civil Strife ◽  
Special Places ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Local Leaders

The article analyzes the causes and consequences of the fact that the country has experienced three famines since the establishment of Soviet power. The policy of "military communism" during the drought of 1921-1922 was a severe blow to agriculture and led to the spread of famine. During the years of civil strife, the fact that a large part of the population's food was taken for free by the state did not go unnoticed. Especially in Uralsk, Orenburg, Kostanay, Bokei, Aktobe provinces, the drought killed a lot of livestock. The locals were starving. The situation of homeless children was dire. Various infectious diseases and deaths have increased in the country. The state of health care in the country was not critical. This was compounded by the recklessness of local leaders in collecting food taxes and the actions of gangs. During the famine, the leadership of the autonomy took a number of measures. Field hunger commissions have been set up. Homelesschildren were placed in orphanages and special places, and even in other republics and foreign countries.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United States have provided humanitarian assistance to help end the famine. The effects of the nearly three-year famine were severe. During these years, about 1 million Kazakhs died of starvation.

Health Emergencies in Large Populations: A disaster medicine learning experience

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-141
Author(s):  
Paul Singh Dhillon, BA, MB BCh BAO, LRCPSI, DRCOG
Keyword(s):  
Learning Experience ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
The World ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Current Content

The Health Emergencies in Large Populations course, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is delivered in a decentralized manner by a number of academic centers around the world. It was one of the first formal educational opportunities developed for those in humanitarian assistance organizations, and its initial aim was to upgrade professionalism in humanitarian assistance programs conducted in emergency situations.This article summarizes the history and describes the current content, structure, and costs of the course.

Crossing the desert – the ICRC in Iraq: analysis of a humanitarian operation

2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (869) ◽  
pp. 137-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Palmieri
Keyword(s):  
Legal Framework ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Humanitarian Operations

AbstractFor almost 60 years, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been doing its best to provide humanitarian assistance to those groups in Iraq that need it most. This article describes the humanitarian operations of the ICRC in Iraq from 1950 to the present day, in particular the support it has given to different minorities in the country and its humanitarian responses to the various armed conflicts. It shows that the legal framework that provides the basis for the ICRC's humanitarian activities also limits its ability to take action in situations beyond the scope of its mandate. In armed conflicts the ICRC faces the risk of being used by governments for their own ends. The challenge for the ICRC is to strike a balance between meeting its treaty-based obligations and exercising its right of humanitarian initiative, and to avoid selecting the recipients of its aid on the sole basis of opportunities made available by governments.

Arms transfers, humanitarian assistance and international humanitarian law

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (325) ◽  
pp. 685-691
Author(s):  
Peter Herby
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Relief ◽  
Small Arms ◽  
Arms Transfers ◽  
The World ◽  
War Victims

The International Committee of the Red Cross has witnessed in its work for war victims throughout the world the increasingly devastating effects for civilian populations of the proliferation of weapons, particularly small arms. The difficulties of providing humanitarian assistance in an environment where arms have become widely available to many segments of society are well known to most humanitarian relief agencies today. However, until recently the relationships between the availability of weapons, the worsening situation of civilians during and after conflict and the challenges of providing humanitarian assistance have not been addressed directly.

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