International Committee

of the Red Cross

 I. Background
What was to become the International Committee of the Red Cross met for the first time
in February 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland. Among its five members was a local man named
Henry Dunant who, the year before, had published a crusading book (A Souvenir of Solferino)
calling for improved care for wounded soldiers in wartime.

By the end of the year the committee had brought together government representatives to
agree on Dunant's proposal for national relief societies, to help military medical services. And in
August 1864 it persuaded governments to adopt the first Geneva Convention. This treaty obliged
armies to care for wounded soldiers, whatever side they were on, and introduced a unified
emblem for the medical services: a red cross on a white background.

Since its creation in 1863, the ICRC's sole objective has been to ensure protection and
assistance for victims of armed conflict and strife. It does so through its direct action around the
world, as well as by encouraging the development of international humanitarian law (IHL) and
promoting respect for it by governments and all weapon bearers.

The ICRC is headquartered in the Swiss city of Geneva and has external offices called
Delegations in about eighty countries. Each delegation is under the responsibility of a Head of
delegation who is the official representative of the ICRC in the country. Today, the leading
organs are the Directorate and the Assembly. The Directorate is the executive body of the
Committee. The members of the Directorate are appointed by the Assembly to serve for four
years who attends to the daily management of the ICRC. The Assembly (also called the
Committee) convenes on a regular basis and is responsible for defining aims, guidelines, and
strategies and for supervising the financial matters of the Committee. The Assembly has a
membership of a maximum of twenty-five Swiss citizens.

Its mission is to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human
dignity especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies (I.E: epidemics, floods and
earthquakes.) . It is present in every country and supported by millions of volunteers. Though

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the Movement works with non-governmental organizations in the field, it has developed a code
of conduct to ensure high standards in providing assistance to victims of wars and disasters.

The 7 Fundamental Principles are the result of a century of experience. It was proclaimed
in Vienna in 1965. Jean Pictet explains the meaning of each of the seven Fundamental Principles;
he analyses them on the basis of different criteria and presents all their various aspects, thus
making this essential part of Red Cross doctrine accessible to all. The 7 Fundamental Principles
are: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, volunteerism, unity & universality.

II. Significant Contributions

With the overwhelming support of the entire Movement, the ICRC has persistently urged the
governments to adapt international humanitarian law to changing circumstances, particularly as
regards developments in means and methods of warfare, with a view to providing more effective
protection and assistance for the victims of armed conflict.

Two Protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions were adopted in June 1977: Protocol I
protects the victims of international armed conflicts, while Protocol II protects those of non-
international armed conflicts. These Additional Protocols codify the rules that protect the civilian
population against the effects of hostilities. Currently, around two-thirds of all States are bound
by these Protocols.

In times of war, The ICRC responds quickly and efficiently to help people affected by armed
conflict. They also respond to disasters in conflict zones, because the effects of a disaster are
compounded if a country is already at war. ICRC focuses mainly on Addressing sexual violence,
Building respect for the law, Cooperating with National Societies, Economic security, Forensic
science and humanitarian action, Health, Humanitarian diplomacy, Mine action, Protecting
civilians, Restoring family links, Safeguarding health care, Visiting detainees, Water and shelter.

III. Failures of the International Organization

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 Failed to meet the basic needs of the victims of typhoon Sandy and hurricane Isaac
In 2012, America was hit by typhoon Sandy and hurricane Isaac which left thousands of
people homeless, hungry and powerless. Red Cross was deemed to be invisible after the disaster
even though donations began pouring. Based on the the investigation of National Public Radio
and ProPublica, Red Cross wasnt able to provide disaster relief to the victims. Based on Red
Cross officials and national headquarters in Washington D.C., the charity diverted its assets for
public relations purposes. Red Cross delivery trucks were deployed to serve as backdrops for
press conference which angered the disaster responders. Furthermore, the distribution of relief
goods were politically driven and there was an excessive food waste due to inexperienced staff,
miscommunication and political pressure.

Unsafe blood collection

The Food and Drug Administration in America fined Red Cross nearly $9.6 million after
an inspection was held in 16 Red Cross blood centers in 2010. The inspection was said to reveal
ongoing problems which will endanger donors and contaminate the collected blood. It was
described that the blood collection system was inflicted by poor trained staff and inadequate
record keeping. Because of this, potentially infected blood will be transfused to patients.
Although ICRC has said that they have improved their blood collection systems, this
shortcomings are still present.

Lack in logistics capacity

Based on reports, ICRC lacks the capacity on planning more detailed long term relief
operations. Since ICRCs logistics capacity is limited and not sophisticated enough, it failed to
deal with big catastrophes. Its food service is lacking the capacity to get enough food to satisfy
the victims needs. Basic necessities like blankets, sleeping bags and cots were not given
considering that there was an ample time for ICRC to prepare for the upcoming storm.

Mismanagement of shelters
Considering the huge amount of the donations given to ICRC, it still failed to arm its
shelters with the basic needs of every victims. Refugees and victims were not given foods,

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blankets and batteries. People with disability slept on their wheelchair for the ICRC failed to set
up cots. Thousands of foods were spoiled because foods were not delivered and distributed

IV. Assessment of Future Prospects

A.) Relevance of Its Mission and Objectives
As the world continues to face disasters brought by natural calamities, war and diseases,
the International Committee on the Red Cross plays an important role in addressing this issues.
The ICRC is known to be one of the organizations that provides humanitarian mission all
throughout the world. It is present in every country that is facing emergencies and disasters. The
ICRC will continue to be relevant today and in the future for it provides the help that countries
whose undergoing disasters needed. Some of the aid that ICRC is providing are the following:
Disaster relief
ICRC has responded to natural and man-made disasters around the world from fires,
hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous material spills, transportation accidents and
explosions
Support to families
ICRC provides trainings to vulnerable families to enhance parenting skills, child well
being, social connections and etc. ICRC also helps family members of veterans and military to
cope up and obtain financial support assistance.
Health and Safety Trainings & Education
ICRC conducts trainings about life saving skills, disaster preparedness and emergency
skills to families, individuals and organizations.
Blood Supply
ICRC is one of the main distributor and collector of blood all over the world.
International Services
ICRC continues to provide humanitarian aid and spearhead the respondance to
emergencies, disasters, prevention of disease and humanitarian value

B.) Capacity to Attain Its Goals

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 The International Committee of the Red Cross serves to successfully achieve it goals
through the help of its global partners. These partners does not only provide aid for the funds but
also human and technical volunteers all over the world to carry out it objectives in helping and
restoring human tdignity after devastating situations like typhoons and other natural disasters,
etc. Such partners are private and public entities like The Union of European Football
Associations, The Rotary Club Switzerland and Liechtenstein, International Olympic Committee,
The Republic and Canton of Geneva, The Canton of Valais, The Canton of Zurich and many
more. All of which are in great significance in giving aid to the organization, without these help
that gives the organization the ample amount of resources to continue the betterment of the
communities that it aims to give assistance to. So the capacity of the International Committee of
the Red Cross has already gone beyond territorial boundaries due to the different posts it has in
several member state globally, making the sustainability of the organization to last and expand
its mission very feasible.

V. Theories
A. Liberalist Theory

As the ICRC is an organization that helps different communities around the world during
the times of national disasters, etc. The idea of liberalism in a sense that it believes on the
cooperation of the states makes the ICRC a good example because different states and other
entities have already given their support to the ICRC, the liberalism theory strongly applies to the
International Committee of the Red Cross.

B. Constructivist Theory
In this theory wherein it shows that the intangible features of human relations are highly
significant. The beliefs, perceptions and understandings of the human society is still being
considered in this organization in a sense that help and aid need not to come in a selective
manner wherein race and culture would become a standard. The means of helping and the goal of
the International Committee of the Red Cross is aiding every nation through the times when the
least, hough important, to think about are the sole beliefs of each nation. Which connects with

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the constructivism theory because of its claim that cooperation is possible between states or its
people in the international arena.

References:
(n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.icrc.org/eng/who-we-are/history/150-years/
International Committee of the Red Cross (e.g. 2011). Our partners. [ONLINE]
Available at: https://www.icrc.org/eng/donations/partners/our-partners-secton-
overview.htm. [Last Accessed 07 March 2015].
(n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.icrc.org/eng/donations/partners/

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 (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/public-sources.htm
(). . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.npr.org/2014/10/29/359365276/on-
superstorm-sandy-anniversary-red-cross-under-scrutiny. [Last Accessed March 8,
2015].
(). . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.redcross.org/about-us. [Last Accessed
March 7, 2015].
(2012). FDA fines Red Cross nearly $9.6 million for blood safety lapses.
[ONLINE] Available at: http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/01/16/10168484-
fda-fines-red-cross-nearly-96-million-for-blood-safety-lapses. [Last Accessed
March 8, 2015].
(). . [ONLINE] Available at: https://books.google.com.ph/books. [Last Accessed
7 March, 2015].
Justin Elliott and Jesse Eisinger, ProPublica, and Laura Sullivan, NPR (2014).
The Red Cross Secret Disaster. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.propublica.org/article/the-red-cross-secret-disaster. [Last Accessed 7
March, 2015].

Gergana Koleva (2012). American Red Cross Fined $9.6 Million for Unsafe
Blood Collection. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gerganakoleva/2012/01/17/american-red-cross-fined-
9-6-million-for-unsafe-blood-collection/. [Last Accessed 7 March, 2015].