The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Red Cross are often used interchangeably, but they are actually separate organizations with different roles and responsibilities. The ICRC is an impartial, neutral, and independent organization that is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Cross refers to either the American Red Cross or the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). While they share common principles and work closely together, the ICRC and the Red Cross have distinct mandates and areas of expertise.
Brief History of the Red Cross Movement
The Red Cross movement originated with the founding of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland. The ICRC was established by Henry Dunant, who had witnessed the suffering of wounded soldiers at the Battle of Solferino in 1859 and proposed the creation of national relief societies to provide aid to those affected by war.
In 1864, the first Geneva Convention established the ICRC as an impartial organization responsible for providing assistance to wounded soldiers. Additional Geneva Conventions in 1906, 1929 and 1949 expanded the ICRC’s role as guardian of international humanitarian law.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was founded in 1919 to coordinate cooperation between national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. The American Red Cross was established in 1881 and is part of the IFRC.
Key Differences Between ICRC and Red Cross
While the ICRC and Red Cross share fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality, there are some important distinctions:
Mandates
– ICRC: Primary mandate is to protect and assist victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence, and to promote compliance with international humanitarian law. Focuses on armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies.
– Red Cross: Broad mandate to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Focuses on public health, disaster relief, first aid training, blood drives and other community services.
Areas of Operation
– ICRC: Operates mainly in areas affected by conflict, violence and unrest. Works in over 100 countries around the world.
– Red Cross: Operates primarily in the country where the national society is based. For example, the American Red Cross focuses on serving vulnerable communities in the United States.
Legal Status
– ICRC: Neutral organization with a special status under international humanitarian law that allows it to engage with states and non-state actors in armed conflict.
– Red Cross: Operates under the laws of the country where the national society is established. Status can vary from government affiliate to independent non-profit.
Membership
– ICRC: Not a membership-based organization. Instead has direct agreements with states under international law.
– Red Cross: National societies have local volunteers, staff and partners who support their activities.
Coordination
– ICRC: Coordinates closely with Red Cross and Red Crescent societies but operates independently. Does not oversee or direct national societies.
– Red Cross: National societies are coordinated by the IFRC and Council of Delegates with a level of autonomy at national level.
Funding
– ICRC: Funded mainly by voluntary contributions from governments and national societies. Also raises funds from private sources.
– Red Cross: National societies funded through a mix of government support, corporate donations, membership fees and revenue from training/services. IFRC funded through statutory contributions from member societies.
Partnership Between ICRC and Red Cross
While the ICRC and Red Cross are distinct entities, they collaborate closely as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement:
– Share fundamental principles and humanitarian values centered on alleviating human suffering.
– Have a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate cooperation and outline shared objectives.
– Work together in many contexts from natural disasters to armed conflicts. The ICRC and national societies complement each other’s capabilities.
– ICRC may delegate certain activities to Red Cross societies where they have better access or proximity to affected populations.
– The ICRC and the IFRC have leading roles in developing policies, strategies and positions for the Movement.
– The ICRC helps build the capacities and skills of national societies to boost their emergency response.
– The Red Cross provides key services like restoring family links that assist the ICRC in fulfilling its mandate.
Examples of Cooperation
The ICRC and Red Cross collaborate in many different settings:
Armed Conflict
– In war zones like Syria, Yemen and South Sudan, the ICRC coordinates with Red Cross/Red Crescent national societies to deliver humanitarian aid, provide medical services and visit detainees.
– The ICRC takes the lead on engaging with parties to the conflict and negotiating access while national societies use their local volunteers and resources to assist affected communities.
Natural Disasters
– When major disasters like typhoons, earthquakes or floods occur, the Red Cross typically mobilizes the initial local response using its network of volunteers and branches.
– The ICRC may provide specialist relief items, expert personnel and additional funding to support national society operations.
– For large disasters, the IFRC often launches international appeals to coordinate global Red Cross assistance. The ICRC gives technical advice on implementing emergency response and recovery programmes.
Refugee/Migration Crises
– In refugee crises sparked by conflicts or disasters, national societies provide essential aid to displaced populations in camps and host communities.
– The ICRC helps vulnerable migrants through services like restoring family links and forensic identification of remains. It visits immigration detention centers to monitor conditions.
– The organizations work together to advocate for the rights and needs of refugees and migrants in accordance with international law.
Capacity Building
– The ICRC runs programs to strengthen national society emergency response, management, logistics, volunteer networks and other capabilities critical to helping vulnerable communities.
– Training focuses on areas like safer access, first aid, disaster risk reduction, epidemic control, economic security, international humanitarian law and restoring family links.
Key Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Some of the major national societies that partner with the ICRC include:
American Red Cross
– Provides disaster relief, support for military families, health and safety services, blood donations and international aid across the US. Works with the ICRC internationally on restoring family links and other operations.
French Red Cross
– Leading provider of ambulance services in France. Also active in social care, health, integration of vulnerable migrants, international cooperation and promoting humanitarian law.
German Red Cross
– Largest Red Cross society in the world with over 3 million members and 500,000 volunteers. Known for pioneering public health services. Partner of the ICRC since 1863.
British Red Cross
– Carries out emergency response, refugee support, health and social care and first aid training across the UK. Supports ICRC’s medical programmes, tracing services and advocacy internationally.
Indian Red Cross
– Provides extensive disaster relief operations across India. Also runs hospitals, blood banks, first aid training and programs for vulnerable communities. Works with the ICRC on family reunification and conflict situations.
Nigerian Red Cross
– Responds to health crises, floods, population displacement and conflict impacts in Nigeria. Partners with the ICRC on restoring family links, economic security, international humanitarian law and detention visits.
Philippine Red Cross
– Largest humanitarian organization in the Philippines. Leading first responder for disasters and crises. Works with the ICRC on preparedness, response, resilience and access in conflict.
Conclusion
While the ICRC and Red Cross Movement share common goals and principles, they are distinct entities with complementary mandates, areas of expertise and modes of operation. The ICRC focuses on protecting victims of armed conflict and situations of violence. The Red Cross provides broad humanitarian services tailored to national context through its network of local societies. Close cooperation between the ICRC and national Red Cross/Red Crescent societies enables an effective international response that draws on their respective strengths to alleviate human suffering worldwide. Their enduring partnership in the world’s most difficult crises highlights the power of humanitarian unity in action.