Qn: Evaluate the role of the

International Red Cross Society

in alleviation of humanitarian
disaster in Africa.

GROUP 8
 Introduction
Disasters are a pervading global phenomenon which have a number of
implications in human livelihoods. The susceptibility of people to disasters
are further compounded by the fact that Africa is not immune to the scourge
of these disasters particularly due to factors that include but not limited to
poverty , climate change and variability as well as wars. Notable effects of
humanitarian disasters in Africa include droughts, cyclones and earthquakes
which have led to food insecurity and losses in human life. Most African
countries, lying within the developing countries have their governments under
capacitated to respond to these humanitarian disasters thus paving way for
humanitarian organization such as the International Red Cross Society to
supplement their efforts in alleviating humanitarian disasters in Africa through
food aid, technical assistance as well as awareness raising disaster
management. The gist of this presentation is to evaluate the role of
international Red Cross Society in alleviating humanitarian disasters in
Africa. The efficacy of its activities/aid as well as the challenges that are
encountered in this humanitarian endeavour are going to be elucidated in this
presentation.
 Definition of terms

• Disaster- a major disturbance

man made or natural that
negatively impacts societal and
economic functioning resulting in
severe losses that are beyond the
community’s ability to function
under its own resources or power.
 Definition of terms Contd’
Humanitarian disasters -refers to a
sudden overwhelming and
unforeseen event, affecting human
beings and it can be categorized
from household level, community
level, provincial and national level
and they include major illnesses,
deaths, epidemic, displacements
among others
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Civil Society Organizations intentions have been viewed from

different perspectives from various schools of thought. Gramsci
stressed the potentially oppositional role of civil society as a ‘public
room,’ separate from state and market, in which ideological hegemony
is contested. He sees civil society as containing a wide range of
organizations and ideologies which both challenge and uphold the
existing order. The political and cultural hegemony of the ruling
classes and societal consensus is formed within civil society. On the
contrary the other school of thought views Civil Society
Organizations’ intention as that one of complementing the state’s or
government’s effort in in providing peace and security to its citizens.
Thus these antagonizing perceptions as regards the intentions of CSO
have implications on various challenges that are encountered by CSOs.
The International Red cross Society offers the
following services to the affected nations in Africa:
Opened up a treatment clinic in Sierra Leone
they have also provided psychosocial support in the
region
Are active in the training of health workers in
handling bodies, disinfecting equipment
In Liberia they have made available to Liberia's
health and justice ministries its technical expertise
in handling suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola
among detainees by taking preventive hygiene
measures and making sure that detainees had
access to safe water.
 In addition, the IRCS have also provided extra food
for malnourished detainees. disposing of waste, and
increasing public awareness.
In Guinea, the IRCS have supported and
donated equipment to helping Guinea
respond to needs generated by the Ebola
outbreak and other emergencies.
Offer additional financial support to the
affected nations
Hold public information sessions on
communicable diseases and trained
volunteers in disease prevention,
disinfection of homes and proper
management of human remains.
taken measures to prevent the spread of
the disease, for example by promoting
regular hand-washing, with ICRC support.
Responding to Drought, According to the
International Redcross Society (2011) there were
13.5 million people across Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia
and Djibouti suffering, and amid famine in Somalia
around 3.2 million were feared to be on the brink of
starvation. In the village near Dadaab, the Kenya
Red Cross Society has been trucking in thousands of
litres of water, as it has to hundreds of others in the
region.
Food distributions, school feeding programmes,
community health support, and the rehabilitation of
emergency boreholes all help to ease the suffering
Building of community resilience and empower the
people of arid lands to rise above the natural hazards
that so frequently confront them.
The International Committee of Red cross
the International Red cross Society has
assisted in the reunification of displaced
citizens with their families especially after
wars. Thousands of people fled violence in
Côte d'Ivoire during the country's 2010-
2011 post-election crisis and sought
refuge in Liberia. Many were children,
forced to leave without their parents or
even a close relative. A major Red Cross
effort has since reunited many of these
children with their families.
Red Cross works with other humanitarian
partners by training and mobilizing volunteers
to deliver lifesaving services in their
communities.
Introduced programmes focuses on
responding to disasters and building safer
communities.
During times of disaster the IRCS provides
relief when a disaster hits and support
recovery activities to help communities get
back on their feet.
Also provides technical support, relief
supplies and financial assistance
However service delivery by IRCS are
compromised by a number of factors that
included;
Harsh political environment
They are viewed as agents of the west
and enemies of progress
They are perceived as against ethical
considerations hence they normally face
opposition from the community
Conclusively IRCS plays a leading role in the
alleviation of humanitarian disasters through
such initiatives as drought relief; provision of
technical assistance, reunification of
separated families by war as well as building
community resilience in responding to
humanitarian disasters. However service
delivery is compromised by political factors
which inhibit success of the proposed
possible intervention measures. In generality
IRCS have contributed tremendously in
promoting food security and improving
human livelihoods.