THE INTERNATIONAL

RED CROSS and RED

CRESCENT MOVEMENT
History
Organization
Emblem
Fundamental Principles

OVERVIEW
history of the Red Cross
and Red Crescent
Movement
components of the
Movement
the fundamental principles
the Movement in a nutshell
questions and answers

BEGINNING OF THE RED

CROSS
1859
Battle of Solferino,
Italy
Henry Dunant

1862
publication of the
"Memory of Solferino"

1863
establishment of the
Committee of
Geneva
foundation of the first
relief societies

COMPONENTS OF THE
MOVEMENT
International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC)

National Societies

International Federation
of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies
(Federation)

COMPONENTS OF THE
MOVEMENT
International
ICRC
National
Federation
Societies
provides assistance and

protection to victims of
directs and coordinates
conflict
and other
armed
provides
assistance
to
international assistance of
situations
violenceand
victims
ofofconflict
the Movement
to victims of
disaster
natural disasters
promotes international
humanitarian law
promotes National
Societies
conducts
activities
in
activities
favour of the most
officially recognizes the
vulnerable
National Societies
contributes to capacity
building of National
cooperates with the ICRC
Societies

and the International

Federation

renders health

THE EMBLEMS OF
HUMANITY

1864 adoption of the Red

Cross emblem

1929 Red Crescent added

2005 Red Crystal added

all the emblems enjoy the

same legal status and may
be used as protective
devices

USES OF THE
EMBLEM
The sign and the words
Red Cross are protected
under Republic Act 10072 and the Geneva
Conventions.

Exclusive use:

1. AFP Medical Services

3. International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC)

2. Philippine Red Cross

4. International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent

Two uses

USES OF THE
EMBLEM

Protective in armed
conflict
visible sign of
protection
should be as large as
possible with no other
information
Indicative mainly in
peace time
shows link to the
Movement
small and must bear
additional information

7 FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES
HUMANITY

protect life and health,

ensure respect for human
being

prevent and alleviate

suffering wherever it may
be found

bring assistance to the

battlefield without
discrimination

promote mutual
understanding, friendship,
cooperation and lasting
peace amongst all peoples

7 FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES
IMPARTIALITY

make no distinction as to
nationality, race, religious
beliefs, class or political
opinions

relieve the suffering of

individuals, guided solely by
their needs

give priority to the most

urgent cases of distress.

7 FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES
NEUTRALITY

do not take sides in hostilities

do not engage, at any time, in

controversies of a political,
racial, religious or ideological
nature.

7 FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES
INDEPENDENCE

the Movement is independent

National Societies, while

auxiliaries in the humanitarian
services of their governments,
must retain their autonomy at
all times to act in accordance
with the principles of the
Movement

7 FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES
VOLUNTARY SERVICE

the International Red Cross

and Red Crescent is a
voluntary relief movement

not prompted in any manner

by desire for gain

7 FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES
UNITY

there can only be one Red

Cross or Red Crescent Society
in any one country

must be open to all

must carry on its

humanitarian work throughout
the territory

7 FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES
UNIVERSALITY

all Societies have equal status

share equal responsibilities

and duties in helping each
other

THE MOVEMENT IN A
NUTSHELL
the largest humanitarian network worldwide;
guided by the Fundamental Principles;
prevents and alleviates human suffering and does its
best to ensure respect for human dignity, particularly in
times of armed conflict and other emergencies;
encourages voluntary services and constant readiness
of the members of the Movement to help;
independent of the United Nations system;
the components of the Movement are neither nongovernmental organizations nor inter-governmental
organizations;
the ICRC, the International Federation and each
country's National Society are independent
organizations;

TOGETHER FOR HUMANITY

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF

INTERNATIONAL
HUMANITARIAN LAW
(IHL)

OVERVIEW

IHL: what it is and how it

works;

sources and application of

IHL;

IHL a universal code;

questions and answers;

WHAT IS IHL?
INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN
LAW (IHL)
LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT/ LAW OF
WAR

protects those not or no

longer participating in
hostilities

restricts the use of

weapons and methods of
warfare

aims to protect human

dignity, reduce suffering

WHEN DOES IHL

APPLY?
IHL CONCERNS:
international armed
conflicts between countries
non-international armed
conflicts that take place
within one country

IHL applies to all parties to a conflict regardless of who

started it and regardless of formal declarations on the
existence of an armed conflict.

WHO DOES IHL

PROTECT?
IHL protects those who
are not or no longer
fighting, such as:
civilians
medical and religious
personnel (both military
and civilian)
wounded and sick fighters
those deprived of liberty
due to armed conflict
Red Cross and Red
Crescent personnel

HOW DOES IHL

PROTECT?
requires parties to distinguish
between fighters and civilians
prohibits attacks on civilians
prohibits indiscriminate attacks
and the use of weapons that do
not distinguish
requires care for wounded and sick
and protects medical personnel
aims to promote dignity of those
affected by armed conflict
prohibits or limits the use of weapons
that are particularly cruel
(cause unnecessary suffering)

SOURCES OF
IHL

Four Geneva Conventions of

1949
Additional Protocols 1 & 2 of
1977

Additional Protocol 3 of 2005

Other treaties, which restrict
means and methods of warfare
(Hague Conventions, Ottawa
treaty, Convention on Cluster
Munitions, etc.)
Over 30 treaties, conventions and other
Customary lawlegal instruments nowadays.

APPLICATION OF
IHL
International
armed conflicts

All IHL norms

Non-international
armed conflicts

Article 3 common GCs

AP II of 1977
Customary IHL applicable in NIAC

Does not apply in situations of internal disturbances

(situations of violence below the threshold of an
armed conflict).

ARTICLE
Common to the four Geneva
3
Conventions

protects those affected by

an armed conflict

prohibits torture and illtreatment, humiliating and

degrading treatment

prohibits hostage-taking

prohibits passing of
sentences and executions
without essential elements
of due process

provides for the duty of the

parties to collect and care
for the sick and the wounded

IHL

IHL and Human

Rights

IHRL

Only in times of armed conflict

Both in times of peace & armed

conflict

Holds accountable all parties to

the conflict, including states &
non-state actors, as well as
individuals

Holds accountable only states

through their governments

Protects human dignity & deals

with conduct of hostilities

Protects human dignity

Use of lethal force permitted

by military necessity

Lethal force only if absolutely

necessary (self-defense or
defense of others, for example)

Absolutely non-derogable

Permits derogation of some

rights during public emergency

IHL: A UNIVERSAL
CODE

universal recognition: all states are parties to the Geneva

Conventions;

fundamental rules: spare civilians, spare wounded and

sick, spare those deprived of liberty;

even wars have limits: restricting methods of waging war;

knowledge of law is important, but even more so the

implementation by ALL parties;

fighting impunity: the law has to punish those who violate

it;

Republic Act
9851
Implication of treaty ratifications:
state responsibility to adopt national legislation for the
punishment of serious violations of IHL;
Individual responsibility:
Individuals are criminally responsible for violations;
RA 9851
RA 9851, signed on 11 December 2009, penalizes Crimes Against
IHL, Genocide & Other Crimes Against Humanity;
Regional Trial Courts in the Philippines have the jurisdiction;
State responsibility for training judges, prosecutors and
investigators;
The Red Cross (the ICRC) acts as a point of reference on IHL, providing
technical support to the legislators, but plays NO ROLE in the
prosecution and punishment of crimes covered by RA 9851.

EVEN WARS HAVE

LIMITS

PHILIPPINE RED CROSS

History
Vision and Mission
Mandate
Organization
Major Services and Programs

Backgroun
d
1899
Established as
Philippine Womens
Red Cross;

1947
The Philippine National
Red Cross officially
founded;
Original Charter, RA 95

2010
63rd Anniversary
New Charter, RA

Our
Vision
The Philippine Red
Cross is the foremost
humanitarian
organization in the
Philippines in services
provided and number
of people served.

Our
Mission

The Philippine Red Cross brings timely,

effective and compassionate humanitarian
assistance to the most vulnerable without
consideration of nationality, race, creed,
gender, social status or political belief.

Our Mandate
Republic Act 10072- Philippine Red
Cross Act
The Philippine Red Cross shall be recognized
as the voluntary, independent and autonomous
nongovernmental society auxiliary to the
authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in
the humanitarian field to assist said authorities
in discharging the obligations set forth in the
Geneva Conventions and the Statutes of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent

Our
Organization
Member of an International Movement;

Governed by 30 board members (Board of

Headed by a Secretary General;
Presently has 100 Chapters nationwide;
80% of its manpower are volunteers;
More than 1000 staff nationwide;
Funded through public donations;

Our
Services

Disaster Management
Objective:
To provide relief in times
Services

of disasters and to
carry out measures to minimize the suffering of victims.

Disaster Management
Services
Activities and Programs:

Emergency Response
- search and rescue, provision of emergency relief
Early Recovery
- shelter, water and sanitation,
health and welfare, livelihoods
Disaster Risk Management
- community based disaster management training,
organization of community disaster response team,

Our
Services
National Blood Services
Objective: To save lives by providing safe and quality blood
and blood products as a fulfillment of the corporate social
responsibility of the PRC.

National Blood
Services

Activities and Programs:

Blood and Blood Products

- whole blood, apheresis,
plasma;
- processing fee
Mobile Blood Donation
- community, organizations,
company;
Voluntary Blood Donation
- male or female
- between 18-60 years old
- 3 to 4 times a year
- physically healthy

Social Services

Our
Services

Objective: To carry out assistance program that provides

various welfare services to individuals, families, and
communities.

Social
Services
Activities and Programs:
Guidance and Counseling
Emergency Leave Assistance
for US- Filipino serviceman
Psychosocial Support Program
Restoring Family Link
Military Welfare Service
Family Visit program
Referral

Our
Services

Community Health and Nursing

Service
Objective:
To improve the health
situation of the most vulnerable
and under-served on health
care services.

Community Health and Nursing

Services
Activities and
Programs:
Disaster Nursing
Nursing Affiliations
Nutrition Intervention
Primary Health Care
HIV/AIDS Education

Our
Services

Safety
Objective:
To conduct and educational campaign to ensure the health and safety of the Filipino
Services
people.

Safety
Services
Activities and
Programs:
Educational
Programs
- first aid, basic life support,
water safety, swimming
Service Outlets
- first aid stations, ambulance
service, lifeguard patrol
Support to Disaster

Response
- search and rescue,
rubber boat operation

Our
Services

Red Cross
Objective:Youth
To educate and empower the children and youth in
the spirit of Red Cross through relevant training and effective
leadership, and to provide opportunities for directing and
harnessing their energy and idealism into worthwhile
humanitarian activities.

Activities and
Programs:

Red Cross
Youth

Developmental Training
- youth leadership and values
Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle
- volunteer blood donor (Pledge 25)
International Friendship Program
- Japanese Red Cross
Special Projects
- water for health, educational
materials
Volunteer Recruitment
- RCY 143,school and community
based

Other
Programs
A. Dissemination on
the basics of
International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
Dissemination sessions to target audience: community,
general public, and personnel from the AFP/ PNP;

Campaign for the proper use

of the Red Cross logo;

Conduct of IHL seminar,

forum, symposium in
coordination with the ICRC;

Holding of Photo Exhibit and

Moot court Competition in
partnership with the ICRC;

Other
Programs

B. Membership and Fund Drive

membership with
benefits: one year
membership with
accident insurance
PRC
merchandize: tbenefits;
shirts, ball pen; mug,
etc;
Special events and
projects:
fun run, walk for a
cause, concert,
donation box, etc;

Other
Programs

C. Volunteer Recruitment

Red Cross 143: 44

members in every
barangay to respond
during disaster;
Specialized Volunteer:
ready to conduct search
and rescue, tactical
rescue, firefighters, ;
Volunteer on Call:
doctors, surgeon,
nurses, medical
technologies, IT
expert, etc;

THE PRC IN A NUTSHELL

Largest humanitarian network in the
country;
Funded by voluntary contributions and
public donations;
Auxiliary to the government in the
humanitarian field;
Member of the International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement;

Thank you!
www.redcross.org.ph
www.icrc.org
www.ifrc.org