The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has maintained a strong operational presence in Africa, with activities focused on protecting and assisting people directly affected by armed conflict or other forms of violence. In Uganda, the ICRC has been operational since 1979 and has a field presence in four northern districts of Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum and Pader. Given the progress towards peace in the north, ICRC assistance activities have shifted gradually from emergency response to livelihood support.
The aim of ICRC assistance programmes is to promote self-reliance among affected communities, improving the delivery of essential services such as health and water supply and restoring people’s economic ability.
How ICRC was born?
The history of the ICRC 1859 The battle of Solferino is fought. 1863-1864 The International Committee of the Red Cross is founded. 1876-1878 The Red Crescent emblem is used for the first time during the war between Russia and Turkey. 1901 Henry Dunant is awarded the first Nobel Peace Prize for his devotion to the humanitarian cause. 1914-1918- World War I, the Red Cross operates on a larger scale than ever before. 1919- The league of Red Cross Societies is formed. Henry Davison, President of the American Red Cross War Committee, proposes formation of a federation of the Red Cross Societies of the victorious nations. 1929-Geneva Conventions are expanded 1939 -1945 World War II pits Germany and the Axis Powers against the Allies. Red Cross again operates on a large scale. 1949 The Geneva Conventions are further expanded and revised. 1961 A worldwide plan to foster and strengthen new National Societies is launched. 1963 The league continues its mass development programme. 14 new National Societies are admitted as members – the largest number ever at one time. 1965 The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross are proclaimed. Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. 1977 Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The first protocol protects all victims of international armed conflict and the second, all victims of non-international armed conflicts. 1991 New guidelines are adopted. 1994 A major diplomatic tool and a new permanent status. 1997 Further human protection and strengthening of the movement 2006 The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent meets in Geneva. 2009 150th anniversary of the Battle of Solferino and launch of the “Our World Your Move” campaign. |
In June 1859, during the War of Italian Unification, Franco-Sardinian forces clashed with Austrian troops near a small town called Solferino in northern Italy. A swizz man called Henry Dunant was travelling to Solferino to meet Napoleon III on personal matters.
On the evening of June 24th, Dunant reached the village of Castiglione. There, he found more than 9,000 wounded people taking refuge. Thousands were lying at the main church, the Chiesa Maggiore, unattended to. Dunant and the local women he found at Castiglione for several days and nights gave the wounded water, tea, tobacco, fruits, wash and dress their wounds.
When he returned to Geneva in July 1859, he could not forget what he had seen. In 1862 he published his work which he called A Memory of Solferino. He described the battle and the wounded of the Chiesa Maggiore, concluding with the question:”Would it not be possible, in time of peace and quiet, to form relief societies for the purpose of having care given to the wounded in wartime by zealous, devoted and thoroughly qualified volunteers? It was this question that led to the founding of the Red Cross.
His book was a huge success; it was translated into virtually all the European languages and read by the most influential people of his time. The committee was thus formed. At first it was called the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded. It comprised of Moynier, Dunant, General Guillaume-Henri Dufour, Dr Louis Appia and Dr Théodore Maunoir. Later, it came to be known as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and met for the first time on 17 February 1863. On August 25th 1863, the ICRC decided to convene an international conference in Geneva, under its own responsibility, to study ways of overcoming the inadequacy of army medical services. It saw that its volunteers would act effectively, without risking rejection by officers and soldiers, and would be differentiated from combatants by a distinctive emblem. They were thus protected from the fighting.
The world in disarray and the Red Cross role
The Global Campaign is an initiative focused on raising awareness about our world’s current situation. It is a call for action aimed at engaging people to develop a spirit of volunteering. The campaign aims at empowering everybody to make a difference in the world around us. The campaign is symbolised by a globe in disarray. Each time someone takes action or takes an interest via the web portal www.ourworld-yourmove.org they are helping to restore order to a world in a mess. The site also allows users to share their experiences through blog contributions, videos and photos. This initiative coincides with the 150th anniversary of the battle of Solferino in Italy which led to the creation of the Red Cross and Red Cresent and the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions which provides protection to victims of armed conflict.
Protecting people outside the fighting
On May 28th 2009, the world celebrated the implementation of the international humanitarian law. It is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. International humanitarian law is also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict. It is rooted in the rules of ancient civilisations and religions – warfare has always been subject to certain principles and customs.
International humanitarian law is part of international law, which is the body of rules governing relations between States. It is contained in agreements between states – treaties or conventions –, in customary rules, which consist of state practice considered by them as legally binding, and in general principles. It does not regulate whether a state may actually use force; this is governed by an important, but distinct, part of international law set out in the United Nations Charter
International humanitarian law applies only to armed conflict; it does not cover internal tensions or disturbances such as isolated acts of violence. The law applies only once a conflict has begun, and then equally to all sides regardless of who started the fighting. It distinguishes between international and non-international armed conflict. The law covers two areas; the protection of those who are not, or no longer, taking part in fighting; restrictions on the means of warfare – in particular weapons – and the methods of warfare, such as military tactics.
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written by anakumeni, July 29, 2009
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