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 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).

Inauguration of the International Museum of the Red Cross (Geneva, 29 October 1988)

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (267) ◽  
pp. 540-542
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
United Nations ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Swiss Confederation ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
The Look

The International Museum of the Red Cross was inaugurated on 29 October 1988 in the presence of Swiss federal and cantonal government representatives, members of the permanent missions to the United Nations Office in Geneva and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the League and many National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.The Museum, initially conceived to provide the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement with a means of becoming better known, attracting funds and inspiring young people, is the outcome of twelve years of tireless effort. Its purpose is not only to document the creation and expansion of the Movement, but also and above all to pay tribute to man's humanity throughout the centuries. As underscored by Mr. Otto Stich, President of the Swiss Confederation, who cut the inaugural ribbon, the International Museum of the Red Cross is “a testimony to the deed, the word or the look that, in the midst of war, violence and disaster, assists and saves”.This is an accurate portrayal of the Museum, which emphasizes humanitarian endeavours rather than war and violence.

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.

Operational cooperation between participating National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (323) ◽  
pp. 233-248
Author(s):  
Andreas Lendorff ◽  
Andreas Lindner
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
The Other ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
The Face ◽  
International Activities ◽  
Operational Activities ◽  
The One ◽  
Operational Capacity

“Closely associating the National Societies with ICRC's operational activities (either via seconded staff contributions, or through project delegations or bilateral projects), on the one hand to increase the Movement's operational capacity in the face of growing needs, and on the other to respond to the National Societies' desire to intensify their international activities and make them better known.”

Interview with Peter Maurer

2017 ◽  
Vol 99 (906) ◽  
pp. 875-884
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Response ◽  
Humanitarian Organizations ◽  
Essential Services ◽  
The Face ◽  
Access To Food

Since 2011, the humanitarian impact of the crisis in Syria has continued to worsen. The conflict is characterized by frequent violations of international humanitarian law (IHL): indiscriminate attacks in urban areas, the targeting of civilians and essential services such as water supply and health care, and the use of prohibited weapons, to name just a few. All of these have devastating consequences for the Syrian people, who are caught between the opposing sides. The conflict has brought not only bombs and missiles but also harsh living conditions, displacement, lack of access to food, water and medicine, uncertainty regarding the fate of missing or detained loved ones, and interruption of all aspects of life, including the education of a generation of Syrian children. Many people have fled, while others have stayed and attempted to live their lives amid the chaos of war.In the face of these overwhelming needs, humanitarian organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) struggle to respond. The ICRC is helping people both inside Syria, who are facing extremely difficult conditions because of the conflict, and the hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and elsewhere. In partnership with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the ICRC distributes food and other essentials, restores water supplies and supports medical services.In this interview, ICRC president Peter Maurer reflects on the complexities of the armed conflict in Syria, the difficulties of providing a neutral and impartial humanitarian response in this context and the importance of the parties to the conflict upholding their obligations to the civilian population.

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.

Conference of Government Experts: Second Session

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (172) ◽  
pp. 359-361
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Secretary General ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Conventional Weapons

In November 1974, the International Committee of the Red Cross sent governments a provisional mimeographed edition of the report on the work of the Conference of Government Experts on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (Lucerne, 24 September-18 October 1974). This report was also sent to the United Nations Secretary-General, who transmitted it to the First Committee of the General Assembly, whose agenda contained the item: “Napalm and other incendiary weapons”. The printed edition was issued in January 1975, in English, French and Spanish, and was consulted by the Ad Hoc Committee on Weapons at the second session of the Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts (Geneva, 3 February-18 April 1975).

Birth of an idea: the founding of the International Committee of the Red Cross and of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: from Solferino to the original Geneva Convention (1859–1864)

2012 ◽  
Vol 94 (888) ◽  
pp. 1299-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Bugnion
Keyword(s):  
Geneva Convention ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Creation ◽  
To Come

AbstractThe trauma of coming face to face with the horrors of a battlefield and witnessing first-hand the abandonment of the war-wounded led Henry Dunant to two ingenious concepts: the creation of permanent volunteer relief societies and the adoption of a treaty to protect wounded soldiers and all who endeavour to come to their aid. On the initiative of Gustave Moynier, a committee was established in Geneva to implement Dunant's proposals. That committee – which soon took the name ‘International Committee of the Red Cross’ (ICRC) – convened two international conferences, the first of which laid the foundation for the future relief societies while the second adopted the initial Geneva Convention. This article considers the circumstances that led to the founding of the ICRC and then to that of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, starting with Solferino and culminating in the adoption of the Geneva Convention.

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