Group 5 presentation

COURSE
HIR 124
AFRICAN DIASPORA STUDIES

DEPARTMENT
HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

QUESTION
Explain the International federation of the Red
Cross and Red crescent
The IFRC was founded in 1919 in Paris in the aftermath of World War
I. Originally called the League of Red Cross Societies, that were the
brainchild of Henry Davison, the president of the American Red Cross
War Committee.
Davison convened the League’s founding members, the Red Cross
Societies of France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the United States at
an international medical conference. Together, they believed the
compassion and expertise shown by Red Cross volunteers during
wartime could be shown in peacetime too.
The League’s first objective was simple: improve the health of people
in countries that had suffered greatly during the war. It also sought to
improve existing Red Cross Societies and promote the creation of
new ones around the world.
Within months of its creation, the League had launched a campaign
to counter a massive typhus epidemic in Eastern Europe. Shortly
after, it launched appeals in the wake of the Russian famine of 1921
and the Great Kanto earthquake in Japan in 1923.
In 1983, it became the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, and finally, in 1991, the IFRC as we are today.
When Davison created the League in 1919, the Red Cross idea had
already existed for fifty years. The idea was born a young man from
Switzerland called Henry Dunant, organized local people to support
the wounded in the battle of Solferino, Italy.
Dunant called for the creation of national relief societies to assist
those wounded in war, paving the way for the future Geneva
Conventions.
Dunant and five of his peers then set up the International Committee
for Relief to the Wounded in 1863. This later became the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The Red Cross and Red Crescent symbols being the cross and
crescent date back to the 1800s. Though neither symbol has any
religious association. they created the Red Crystal emblem in 2005
for states wishing to avoid any perceptions of religious significance.
The cross was adopted under the original Geneva Convention of
1864. Its design is an inversion of the Swiss flag, recognizing the
historic connection between Switzerland and the original Geneva
Convention.
The crescent was created during the late 1800s to avoid perceived
religious connotations of the Red Cross emblem in certain countries.
It was formally recognized in the updated Geneva Convention of
1929.
And the crystal as mentioned earlier was established in 2005 to
increase protection in situations where the existing symbols may not
be respected as neutral.
The Movement works together to protect these emblems against
misuse and abuse. It is essential they stand unchallenged as symbols
of neutral and independent assistance at all times, guaranteeing
protection in times of conflict and disaster.
Governments have also accepted an obligation to prevent their
misuse and abuse, which in many countries can lead to prosecution.
The IFRC stands by two mottos; "inter arma caritas" ("In war,
charity") and "per humanitatem ad pacem" ("Through humanity to
peace"), which express the ideals of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

The IFCR is present in virtually every community on earth.they reach

160 million people every year through long-term services,
development programmes and disasters response. And we work to
improve global humanitarian standards and persuade leaders to act
in the interests of vulnerable people.
The mission of the IFRC is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and
promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National
Societies.They do so with a view to preventing and alleviating human
suffering, thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of
human dignity and peace in the world.
By effectively coordinating and supporting the work of our member
National Societies, the IFRC secretariat will ensure the IFRC fulfils its
potential as an engaged, accountable and trusted humanitarian actor
on a global scale.
The IFRC's activities include:

1. Disaster response and preparedness: The IFRC works to ensure

that National Societies are equipped to respond to disasters and
emergencies in their countries. This includes providing training,
supplies, and technical assistance.

2. Health and care: The IFRC works to improve access to health care,
prevent disease, and promote healthy lifestyles in communities
around the world. This includes programs focused on maternal and
child health, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and mental health
support.

3. Social inclusion and community engagement: The IFRC works to

promote inclusivity and diversity and to encourage the active
participation of communities in decision-making processes. This
includes programs focused on youth, gender equality, and the rights
of migrants and refugees.

4. Migration: The IFRC works to provide assistance to migrants and

refugees around the world, including through the provision of food,
shelter, and medical care. The organization also advocates for the
rights of migrants and refugees and works to promote social inclusion
and integration.

5. Peace and security: The IFRC works to promote peace and security
around the world, including by supporting the implementation of
international humanitarian law and promoting respect for human
rights.

Overall, the IFRC plays a critical role in responding to humanitarian

crises around the world, promoting health and well-being, and
advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations.
FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED
CRESCENT

Since 1863, the mission of the International Committee of the Red

Cross (ICRC) has been to alleviate human suffering, protect life and
health, and uphold human dignity, especially during armed conflicts
and other emergencies.provide medical assistance to those wounded
in battle in support of their countries' military medical services and
promote understanding and respect for international humanitarian
law.

The main functions of the Red Cross are:

• To extend relief and help to the victims of any calamity – fire,
flood, famine, earthquakes, etc
• To procure and supply blood for the victims of war and other
calamities
• To extend all possible first-aid in an accident
• To educate people in accident prevention
• To arrange for ambulance service in all emergencies
• To look after maternal and child welfare centres
• Train midwives.

PRINCIPLES OF THE RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT

The seven Fundamental Principles provide an ethical, operational and
institutional framework for the work of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement around the world. They are at the core of the
Movement's approach to helping people in need during armed
conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies.

1. Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a
desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on
the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity,
to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found.
Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the
human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship,
cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

2. Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs,
class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of
individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to
the most urgent cases of distress.

3. Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement
may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in
controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

4. Independence
The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while
auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and
subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always
maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act
in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

5. Voluntary service
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by
desire for gain.

6. Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in
anyone country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its
humanitarian work throughout its territory.

7. Universality
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all
Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and
duties in helping each other, is worldwide.