loCAtek
29th March 2003, 09:00 AM
From the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/news/in/intllaw/030314role.html) site;
The Roles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Times of War War
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 179 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.
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-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) 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.
Please check out their site for links and more information on specific missions going on today. You may have seen some of their efforts on the news, by assisting the Red Cross/Red Crescent you can help support our troops and help Iraq with humanitarian aid, at the same time.
American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/news/in/intllaw/030314role.html)
The Roles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Times of War War
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 179 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.
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-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) 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.
Please check out their site for links and more information on specific missions going on today. You may have seen some of their efforts on the news, by assisting the Red Cross/Red Crescent you can help support our troops and help Iraq with humanitarian aid, at the same time.
American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/news/in/intllaw/030314role.html)