History

The Formation of the IFRC

The founding

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 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.

The ICRC's primary role was a coordinating one. But it gradually became
more involved in field operations, as the need for a neutral intermediary
between belligerents became apparent. Over the following 50 years, the
ICRC expanded its work while national societies were established (the first
in the German State of Württemberg in November 1863) and the Geneva
Convention was adapted to include warfare at sea.

First World War, 1914-18

At the outbreak of the First World War, based on experience in other

conflicts, the ICRC opened a Central Prisoners of War Agency in Geneva, to
restore links between captured soldiers and their families.

It continued to innovate: its visits to prisoners of war grew during this

period and it intervened over the use of arms that caused extreme suffering
– in 1918 it called on belligerents to renounce the use of mustard gas. That
same year it visited political prisoners for the first time, in Hungary.
The national societies themselves undertook an unprecedented
mobilization that saw volunteers running ambulance services on the
battlefield and caring for the wounded in hospitals. For the Red Cross in
many countries, it was their finest hour.

1918-1939

After the war, many national societies felt that, with the coming of peace
and hopes for a new world order, the role of the Red Cross had to change.
In 1919, they founded the League of Red Cross Societies, intended as the
future coordinating and support body for the Movement. But conflicts
during the 1920s and 1930s emphasized the need for a neutral
intermediary, and the ICRC remained active – increasingly outside Europe
(Ethiopia, South America, the Far East) and in civil wars (notably in Spain).

The ICRC persuaded governments to adopt a new Geneva Convention in

1929 to provide greater protection for prisoners of war. But despite the
obvious broader threats posed by modern warfare, it was unable to have
them agree on new laws to protect civilians in time to prevent the atrocities
of World War II.

Second World War, 1939-45

The Second World War saw a huge expansion of activities as the

organisation tried to work to assist and protect victims on all sides. The
ICRC and the League worked together to ship relief supplies across the
globe, reaching both prisoners of war and civilians. ICRC delegates visited
POWs around the world and helped exchange millions of Red Cross
Messages between family members. For years after the war, the ICRC dealt
with requests for news about missing loved ones.

However, this period also saw the ICRC's greatest failure: its lack of action
on behalf of victims of the Holocaust and other persecuted groups. Lacking
a specific legal basis, bound by its traditional procedures and hindered in
its ability to act by its ties with the Swiss establishment, it was unable to
take decisive action or to speak out. It was left to individual ICRC delegates
to do what they could to save groups of Jews.
Since 1945

Since 1945 the ICRC has continued to urge governments to strengthen

international humanitarian law – and to respect it. It has sought to deal
with the humanitarian consequences of the conflicts that have marked the
second half of the 20th century – starting with Israel and Palestine in 1948.

In 1949, at the ICRC's initiative, states agreed on the revision of the existing
three Geneva Conventions (covering wounded and sick on the battlefield,
victims of war at sea, prisoners of war) and the addition of a fourth: to
protect civilians living under enemy control. The Conventions provide the
ICRC's main mandate in situations of armed conflict.

And in 1977, two Protocols to the Conventions were adopted, the first
applicable to international armed conflicts, the second to internal ones – a
major breakthrough. The Protocols also laid down rules concerning the
conduct of hostilities.

The Formation of the IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was
founded in 1919 in Paris in the aftermath of World War I. The war had shown a need
for close cooperation between Red Cross Societies, which, through their
humanitarian activities on behalf of prisoners of war and combatants, had attracted
millions of volunteers and built a large body of expertise. A devastated Europe could
not afford to lose such a resource.
It was Henry Davison, president of the American Red Cross War Committee, who
proposed forming a federation of these National Societies. An international medical
conference initiated by Davison resulted in the birth of the League of Red Cross
Societies, which was renamed in October 1983 to the League of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies, and then in November 1991 to become the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The first objective of the IFRC was to improve the health of people in countries that
had suffered greatly during the four years of war. Its goals were "to strengthen and
unite, for health activities, already-existing Red Cross Societies and to promote the
creation of new Societies"

There were five founding member Societies: Britain, France, Italy, Japan and the
United States. This number has grown over the years and there are now 190
recognized National Societies - one in almost every country in the world.
 The Birth of an Idea

The Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came
upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial
Austria and the Franco-Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or dying on
the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical attention.

Dunant organized local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and to feed and comfort
them. On his return, he called for the creation of national relief societies to assist
those wounded in war, and pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions.

"Would there not be some means, during a period of peace and calm, of forming
relief societies whose object would be to have the wounded cared for in time of war
by enthusiastic, devoted volunteers, fully qualified for the task?" he wrote.

The Red Cross was born in 1863 when five Geneva men, including Dunant, set up the
International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, later to become the
International Committee of the Red Cross. Its emblem was a red cross on a white
background: the inverse of the Swiss flag. The following year, 12 governments
adopted the first Geneva Convention; a milestone in the history of humanity, offering
care for the wounded, and defining medical services as "neutral" on the battlefield.

MISSION
The official mission statement says that: "The International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral, and independent
organization whose independently humanitarian mission is to protect the
lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide
them with assistance." It also conducts and coordinates
international relief and works to promote and strengthen international
humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.
The core tasks of the Committee, which are derived from the Geneva
Conventions and its own statutes are:
 to monitor compliance of warring parties with the Geneva Conventions
 to organize nursing and care for those who are wounded on the battlefield
 to supervise the treatment of prisoners of war and make confidential
interventions with detaining authorities
 to help with the search for missing persons in an armed conflict (tracing
service)
 to organize protection and care for civil populations
 to act as a neutral intermediary between warring parties
The ICRC drew up seven fundamental principles in 1965 that were adopted
by the entire Red Cross Movement. They are humanity, impartiality,
neutrality, independence, volunteerism, unity, and universality.

The ICRC's mandate and

mission
The work of the ICRC is based on the Geneva Conventions of
1949, their Additional Protocols, its Statutes – and those of
the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement –
and the resolutions of the International Conferences of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent. The ICRC is an independent,
neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and
assistance for victims of armed conflict and other situations
of violence. It takes action in response to emergencies and at
the same time promotes respect for international
humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.

It was on the ICRC's initiative that States adopted the original Geneva
Convention of 1864. Since then, the ICRC, with the support of the entire
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, has constantly urged governments
to adapt international humanitarian law to changing circumstances,
in particular to modern developments in the means and methods of
warfare, so as to provide more effective protection and assistance for
conflict victims.
Today, all States are bound by the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 which,
in times of armed conflict, protect wounded, sick and shipwrecked
members of the armed forces, prisoners of war and civilians.
Over three-quarters of all States are currently party to the two 1977
Protocols additional to the Conventions. Protocol I protects the victims of
international armed conflicts, Protocol II the victims of non-international
armed conflicts. In particular, these treaties have codified the rules
protecting the civilian population against the effects of hostilities.
Additional Protocol III of 2005 allows for the use of an additional emblem
– the Red Crystal – by national societies in the Movemen
The legal bases of any action undertaken by the ICRC are as follows:

 The four Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I confer on the

ICRC a specific mandate to act in the event of international armed
conflict. In particular, the ICRC has the right to visit prisoners of war
and civilian internees. The Conventions also give the ICRC a broad
right of initiative.
 In non-international armed conflicts, the ICRC enjoys a right of
humanitarian initiative recognized by the international community
and enshrined in Article 3 common to the four Geneva Conventions.
 In the event of internal disturbances and tensions, and in any other
situation that warrants humanitarian action, the ICRC also enjoys a
right of initiative, which is recognized in the Statutes of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Thus,
wherever international humanitarian law does not apply, the ICRC
may offer its services to governments without that offer constituting
interference in the internal affairs of the State concerned.

The ICRC's Mission Statement

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial,

neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian
mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and
other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.

The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and

strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.

Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva Conventions

and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It directs
and coordinates the international activities conducted by the Movement in
armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

Funds and medals

The ICRC administers a number of funds established over the
past century by special donations from individuals or
organisations. These have various aims: to help promote and
develop the activities of the Red Cross/Red Crescent and
international humanitarian law; to recognise the merits of
individuals who have made particular contributions to its
work; or to provide support to staff in difficulties because of
their work in crises.

The Empress Shôken Fund was initiated in 1912 by the Empress of

Japan to promote “relief work in time of peace”. Each year it decides on the
attribution of grants to national Red Cross or Red Crescent societies for
projects including disaster preparedness, health, blood, youth and first aid.

The Florence Nightingale medal was established by national societies

in honour of the renowned English nurse of the 19th century. It is awarded
to nurses or nursing aides who have distinguished themselves in times of
peace or war; it may be awarded posthumously if the recipient has died
while working in a conflict zone.

The French Fund Maurice de Madre provides assistance for staff of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, or their families,
who are in difficult circumstances as a result of serious injury in the course
of their work, illness or death. It was established after a bequest to the ICRC
by Count Maurice de Madre in 1970.

The Paul Reuter Fund encourages the publication of works on

international humanitarian law; to that end it awards a prize every two
years. The fund was set up in 1983 through a donation made to the ICRC by
the late Paul Reuter, Professor Emeritus at the University of Paris and
member of the Institut de droit international.

What is the ICRC’s role in developing

and ensuring respect for IHL?

As the guardian and promoter of IHL, the ICRC takes action to protect and
assist victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence, and to
foster respect for the law. It does the latter, notably by spreading knowledge
of IHL, by supporting its implementation at the domestic level, by
monitoring respect for it and by reminding parties to conflicts of their
obligations. The ICRC also plays an important role in the development of
IHL.

The ICRC ’s mission statement

“The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial,

neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian
mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and
other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.
The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and
strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.
Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva Conventions
and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It directs
and coordinates the international activities conducted by the Movement in
armed conflicts and other situations of violence.”

Protection activities
The ICRC’s activities to protect people during armed conflict and other
situations of violence are aimed at obtaining full respect for applicable law.
The ICRC cannot physically protect people. Instead, it seeks to minimize
the dangers to which they are exposed, prevent and put an end to the
abuses to which they are subjected, draw attention to their rights, and make
their voices heard. In other words, the ICRC monitors respect for IHL and
reports violations to the pertinent authorities.
Protection activities include detention work (visiting prisons, assessing
detention conditions, etc.), protection of the civilian population and
restoration of family links.

Assistance activities
The aim of ICRC assistance is to preserve the lives and/or restore the
dignity of individuals or communities adversely affected by armed conflict
or other situations of violence. Assistance activities principally address the
consequences of violations of IHL. They may also tackle the causes and
circumstances of these violations by reducing exposure to risk. Assistance
activities vary with the situation. They cover a broad range: from the
provision of food or medicines to capacity building for the delivery of
essential services, such as rehabilitation of water supplies or medical
facilities and the training of primary-health-care personnel, surgeons and
prosthetic/orthotic technicians.
The Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movementspecify that the ICRC’s role includes the following in particular:
“to undertake the tasks incumbent upon it under the Geneva Conventions,
to work for the faithful application of international humanitarian law
applicable in armed conflicts and to take cognizance of any complaints
based on alleged breaches of that law” (Article 5, paragraph 2 (c))
“to work for the understanding and dissemination of knowledge of
international humanitarian law applicable in armed conflicts and to
prepare any development thereof” (Article 5, paragraph 2 (g)).

Dissemination and implementation of the law

Ignorance of the law is a major obstacle to respecting it. For this reason, the
ICRC reminds States of their obligation to make IHL widely known. It also
takes action to this end, encouraging incorporation of IHL in educational
programmes, military training and university curricula. The ICRC further
reminds States that they must take all the steps necessary to ensure that the
law is implemented at the domestic level and applied effectively.

It does so chiefly through its Advisory Service on IHL, which provides

technical guidance to States and helps their authorities adopt domestic
implementing laws and regulations.

Monitoring respect for IHL and reminding belligerent parties of their

obligations
The four Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols give the ICRC
a specific mandate to act in the event of armed conflict. During
international armed conflicts, the ICRC has a right to visit prisoners of war
and civilian internees to make sure that their treatment and the conditions
in which they are being held are consonant with IHL. Information on the
detainees must be sent to the ICRC’s Central Tracing Agency, which
ensures that detainees do not go missing. The ICRC also provides
humanitarian assistance, such as consignments of foodstuffs, medical
supplies and clothing, to people in need.

In addition to the tasks incumbent upon it under IHL treaties, the ICRC has
a broad right of initiative (see common Article 3, Article 9 of the First,
Second and Third Geneva Conventions, and Article 10 of the Fourth Geneva
Convention). It may always offer its services to the parties to a conflict.

The ICRC also has a right of initiative – recognized in the Statutes of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – in situations that
do not reach the threshold of an armed conflict, but that warrant
humanitarian action. In situations where IHL does not apply, the ICRC may
offer its services to governments without that offer constituting interference
in the internal affairs of the State concerned.

On the strength of the conclusions it draws from its protection and

assistance work, the ICRC makes confidential representations to the
relevant authorities in the event of violations of IHL. Confidentiality is one
of the main working methods of the ICRC. It is a long-standing ICRC policy
and a practice that derives directly from the principles of neutrality and
impartiality. It enables the ICRC to establish and maintain a constructive
dialogue with parties to an armed conflict and other stakeholders; to have
access to conflict areas, places of detention and victims of armed conflict
and other situations of violence; and to ensure the security of its
beneficiaries and of its staff. Bilateral confidential representations to the
parties to a conflict is the ICRC’s preferred mode of action to put an end to
violations of IHL or of other fundamental rules protecting persons in
situations of violence, or to prevent the occurrence of such violations.
However, this mode of action is complementary to others. In particular, the
ICRC reserves the right to issue a public denunciation of specific violations
of IHL if:
(1) the violations are major and repeated or likely to be repeated;
(2) delegates have witnessed the violations with their own eyes, or the
existence and extent of those violations have been established on the basis
of reliable and verifiable sources;
(3) bilateral confidential representations and, when attempted,
humanitarian mobilization efforts (i.e. calling on third parties to influence
the conduct of parties to a conflict who commit violations of IHL) have
failed to put an end to the violations; and
(4) such publicity is in the interest of the persons or populations affected or
threatened.

Development of IHL
Treaties developing IHL are adopted by States. Under the Statutes of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the ICRC also has a
mandate to “prepare any development” of IHL. In order to fulfil this
mandate, the ICRC, notably, prepares draft texts for submission to
diplomatic conferences. For instance, the first drafts of the Geneva
Conventions were drawn up by the ICRC in consultation with States,
submitted and further discussed, modified and finally adopted at
diplomatic conferences.

The ICRC also organizes consultations with States and other interested
parties with a view to ascertaining the possibility of reaching agreement on
new rules or otherwise strengthening IHL. For instance, following the 31st
International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and the
adoption of Resolution 1: Strengthening Legal Protection for Victims of
Armed Conflicts, the ICRC has engaged in consultations with States in
order to strengthen IHL in the fields of detention and strengthen
compliance with IHL.