The Creation of the Red Cresent, Its Mission, and the Strategies - Literature review Example

Running Header: Red Crescent Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: The History Creation Since the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement was introduced, Protection has been provided to million victims affected by either war, diseases or risks that come with flood or climate change. The aim of this study is to show the creation of the Movement, its mission and the strategies used in achieving set goals. This study shows how the movement has been adopted in various counties for example the United Arabs Emirates, Afghanistan, Iraq, Indonesia and Pakistan. The sources of funds for these movement are shown and the heads. According to André (1984) the international Red Crescent Movement provides humanitarian help to the less fortunate. The movement is now comprised of over 90 million volunteers all over the world. The association’s aim is to protect life and human health. It also ensures that human rights are maintained in that no human suffering or discrimination of any kind be it race, sex, nationality or cultural beliefs. The movement is made up of various organizations with distinct features but which unite to share a common goal, objectives, symbols and organs. Angela (2005) describes that some of the legally independent organizations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement include; the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This was founded by Henry Dunant in early 1860s in Geneva. ICRC currently uses three emblems to represent the organisation. These are the Red Cross, the Red Crescent symbol and the red crystal. In order for the National societies to be recognised as a member of the ICRC Movement, they have to use one of the above symbols in providing humanitarian assistance. The three emblems adopted by the Movement provide same level of protection. Individuals using these emblems also have to abide to the international humanitarian laws and principles. The institution has a committee comprised of 25 members who conduct their duties under the international humanitarian law. Some of these duties include offering life and dignity protection of humans. The movement also protects individuals from conflicts and political war. The other institution that works hand in hand with the Red Cross and Red Crescent is the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). David (2005) shows that this was founded in the year 1919 with the objective of protecting the livelihood of individuals. Today the movement has about 180 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. This federation provides relief as well as providing protection incase of emergencies. The IFRC is based in Geneva and the ICRC got the Nobel Peace Prize for their peace missions across the world. The National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also work together with ICRC and follow the International humanitarian law in conducting its mission all over the world. The mission of ICRC The ICRC mission is to provide stimulus and offer guidance to mine victims as a way of achieving concerted activities in future. Unity and cooperation are some of the principles used by the ICRC in performing its humanitarian duties. John (1997) describes that the movement also focuses on strengthening their capacity and knowledge through ensuring effective communication among its institutions. The major elements used in running ICRC includes; one, achieving universal devotion to implement effective values that ensure that the organizational goals are achieved. Two is to reduce the number of casualties in the society. This will be achieved through the introduction of community based programs that will give guidance and education services. The other element used by the movement is to remind their societies on the need to comply with the International humanitarian law regardless of the laws used in their country. Leith (2002) describes that ICRC also ensures that victims affected by a calamity can access quality health care without any discrimination of any kind. The movement assists other national societies especially in the developing countries to incorporate various activities in order to achieve the organizational goals. The organisation unites with societies in developing and providing health care according to the humanitarian proprieties and guidelines. The major tasks performed by the movement include monitoring compliance in case of war according to the humanitarian law. They also organise and provide health care and nursing services to the affected victims for example during internal conflict. The ICRC members treat prisoners and provide guidance and cancelling. In case of internal conflict within a country member of the ICRC movement assist in searching for missing victims. Care is also provided to the entire population covered by the movement according to their stipulated policies. The movement is guided by several principles which include humanity. This is the provision of care to every one. There is also impartiality where every person participating in the movement should observe. This means that their services should be conducted fairly regardless of human race, cultural beliefs, sex or social status. The other principal is neutrality which states that members of the movement are not to be biased by activities relating their duties but should be committed in the provision of voluntary services. The movement also uses the principle of independence where by it is guided by the International humanitarian laws and not governmental laws. Members also need to be united as this facilitates efficiency thus high productivity. Universality is the other principle which shows that the movement is all over the world and this shows their commitment and provision of quality services to all (John, 1997). ICRC also plays a significant role in the development of the movement position for example the National Society representative. The society played a major role in obtaining anti personnel landmines and in the confirmation of the Ottawa treaty. In achieving this, the movement had set some strategies which were to encourage the government to approve the introduction of pro- ban idea which was contained in the Ottawa treaty. The movement also improved awareness of the mines in order to gain support from the public and political. The Red Cross and Red Crescent movement have been supported by the climate centre in its mission to reduce the effects cause by climate change in various parts of the world. The latest changes of climate have resulted to dangers thus increasing the number of needy people. The climate centre is determined in supporting the movement in order to achieve the goals and the commitments made in the International Conference. One of these goals is to address the rising damage caused by climate change, the effects and the major weather events. The climate centre is therefore strengthening the movement and understands all the components needed to achieve these objectives. One of the strategies set in achieving the goals is by integrating risk management process basing on the priorities used by the ICRC. The centre will also support various programs run by the movement for example by offering humanitarian care to the affected victims. Technically complex problems related to climate change have recently risen. To solve these crises, the climate centres require increasing alertness to the public on the dangers they might face. The centre also has to build capacity with the Red Crescent societies in order to assist in spreading necessary information to vulnerable areas. Decentralised way will be used by the centre in building capacity within the movement and will be supported by the IFRC and other National societies (Leith, 2002). The main objectives of the climate centre in collaboration with the ICRC are to important tools necessary for preventing the effects of climate change. The two organizations will also exchange experience regarding ways of protecting the lives of the vulnerable individuals. IFRC and the national societies will also provide training and technical assistance to staffs working for the climate centre. Some of the assistance rendered involves ways of managing a disaster and the tools needed in the process. The organizations also contribute enough resources needed to enhance capacity. Some of the resources include more funds, health facilities and necessary skills for example many nurses may be needed to treat the wounded victims. The climate centre will also work with the ICRC in support for global planning, policy development and in integrating communication strategies among various organisations. For the above objectives to be achieved there will be need for voluntary partnership with either the government of other international organizations for example the UN. The quality of the programs will also be improved by cooperating people and by providing early warning messages to the public. The movement may also work with other private organizations in implementing measures meant for reducing damage. Some of these measures include development of water tanks where people will not lack clean drinking water incase of flood. Strategies have also been introduced for fostering the reduction of risk even beyond what the Red Crescent can do. Partnering for example with the government will enable the centre shape the policies used globally. Some of the areas that the Red Crescent and the climate centre plan to work in include improving communication tools. The movement plan to raise awareness regarding the humanitarian consequences that may be caused by climate change. They also announce early warning signs and guidance about the best method of preventing risk. The Red Crescent movement also plan on building capacity to the entire affected areas. This will significantly achieved through increase of the number of staff members in the organizations. More skills are also needed for example more nurses and other individuals who have experience with risk related knowledge will be necessary. Leith (2002) shows that resource mobilisation is another area that the movement aims at working at in achieving the mission of the organisation. This will be attained through increased monetary and human resources which will necessary in helping the poor people in the region. Advocacy will be needed in achieving the objectives of the movement. In order for Red Cross and Red Crescent to reflect their proposals for the future of the organisation, various concepts are acknowledged by the government, civil society organizations, donors and professionals. These reflect the potential impacts caused by climate change in various parts of the world and the value brought by mainstreaming adaptation of disaster reduction. The Red Crescent funding The Red Crescent is funded by contribution received from National societies. Some of these are members of the Federation who give donations and grants to the movement. The amount of contribution provided by every member of the federation is determined by the General Assembly. This is where the commission holds meetings and set a certain amount that every member is able to provide for the smooth running of the movement. The other source of funds is from revenue received from the various investments that the movement has set up. The movement has for example invested in provision of various services such as education, health services etc. Other sources of funds are from the appeals made by the federation for example through adverts through the internet, media or posters. These voluntary donations come from the government, corporations, national societies and individuals all over the world. The amount contributed through appeals is used by the movement for relief help and other unplanned expenses. Red Crescent mission around the world Afghanistan According to Jean-Claude (2000) the Afghanistan Red Crescent for example refuses donations from some organizations such as the (US Agency for International Development) USAID due to concerns of impartial compromise. The Afghan Red Crescent society says that the money contributed by USAID would not treat a Talib. The USAID therefore support the Government in providing necessary care and security to people displaced due to war. The Afghanistan Red Crescent society (ARCS) is comprised of 40,000 volunteers who provide services to over 90 percent individuals in the country. These volunteers are able to access every part of the country and save lives as well as providing necessary services to the wounded. They mostly access the areas that the UN and other humanitarian agencies can not access due to raging war. Hans (2003) shows that the society achieves annual revenue of over 10 million dollars in which two percent of this is used in taxes charged on imports, rental property and donations made to individuals. ICRC donates about 80 million dollars annually since there are many programs provided by the movement in the country. The movement also runs a hospital in Afghanistan known as Mirwais which is situated in Kandahar Province. The hospital provides services and mostly treats wounds related to conflict in the province. Due to impartiality concerns, the ARCS do not receive any funds from the consolidated appeal process. This is because the society feels that people out there for example corporations, organizations and other donators would not be comfortable to donate to the Talib community. Iraq In Iraq, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent warn that funds provided on short term basis do not contribute to the development of the movement. This is because the funds only meet the immediate needs of citizens therefore failing to develop other initiatives. According to the IFRC, recovering from the Iraq conflict will take a long time and for this the movement appeals to their donors in considering needs that will be provided in future. The World Bank for example shows that war countries have been unable to absorb huge funds due to lack of institutional capacity. The Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is one among the many organisations that provide help to the displaced persons in Iraq. As an independent national humanitarian society, is formed in early 1990s (Georges and Roger, 2000). Indonesia and Pakistan In Indonesia and Pakistan, the IRCR has a large humanitarian network. The Movement is guided by its principles which include impartiality and neutrality. These enable the movement provide assistance to individuals affected by conflicts and other dangerous risks. The ICRC role in these countries is to direct and ensure that relief activities are well coordinated. The importance of abiding to the international humanitarian law is also expressed. The mission of ICRC for example in Indonesia is to manage relief operations, reuniting families and treating victims of war. The needs of the internally displaced persons are also met and the movement also raises awareness about the dangers of mines and the remnants of explosives used during war. In Pakistan and Indonesia for example the movement faces difficulty in feeding the huge population. Funds therefore disbursed to these countries have to be sufficient. Resources for example human resources and especially skilled personnel are also needed in large number in order to reach all the parts affected by the disaster. Some of the roles that the Movement conducts include reducing the number of deaths, the impact of diseases and the injuries caused by explosives. Countries such as Indonesia are faced by various diseases such as HIV, influenza or tuberculosis. The movement therefore unites and provides health services to the affected in order to reduce the number of people dying (Caroline, 1998). The other goal of the Movement in these countries is to increase the capacity of various individuals such as the local community, the civil society and volunteers of the Red Crescent movement. Promoting diversity and human dignity as well as reducing human discrimination and intolerance is the other major goal that the ICRC aims at achieving. The National societies of these countries also support their authorities in form of independent auxiliaries. These National societies comprise of volunteers and staff members who unite according to the mission of ICRC in providing services ranging from family links restoration, training services and offering assistance to the affected victims for example giving first aid care. In 2008 UAE founded the Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid (OCFA) for tracking the total contribution made through foreign aid. In 2009 for example the OCFA showed that the UAE had contributed about 2.4 billion dollars in foreign aid in form of grants and development of humanitarian projects (Hans, 2003). Conclusion The vast ICRC Movement has revolutionised the processes for managing international disasters. This has been achieved through the use of diverse methods of pre determining the occurrence of a disaster and taking necessary initiatives. Some of the methods used include development of health care, educational institutions and other life saving projects for example providing water tanks to areas hit by flood. Volunteers from different areas of the globe have been committed to providing humanitarian care through dedication and conviction. ICRC humanitarian mission has been projected which is to protect the lives and dignity of war victims and to coordinate provision of relief food and health services. The other major role played by the ICRC according to this study is uniting families by tracing their missing members lost during war or natural calamities such as tsunamis. The IFCR believes that the reduction of risks and being prepared for a disaster is necessary as it enables community members cope with other dangerous challenges such as climate change and infectious diseases. References André, D. (1984). History of the International Committee of the Red Cross. From Sarajevo to Hiroshima. Geneva: Geneva Henry Dunant Institute. Angela, B. (2005). The Geneva Convention: The hidden origins of the Red Cross. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing. Caroline, M. (1998). Dunant's dream: War, Switzerland and the history of the Red Cross. London: HarperCollins. David, P. (2005). The Humanitarians. The International Committee of the Red Cross. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Georges, W. & Roger, H. (2000). International Organization and the Evolution of World Society. Vol. 2. Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. Hans, H. (2003). Humanity for all: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Geneva: Paul Haupt Publishers. Jean-Claude, F. (2000). The Red Cross and the Holocaust. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. John, F. (1997). Champions of Charity: War and the Rise of the Red Cross. New York: West view Press. Leith, D. (2002). The politics of power: Freeport in Suharto's Indonesia. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press.  Read More