The Story of an Idea
One of the greatest battles between the Austrians and the French in the mid
19th century took place on the battlefield of Solferino in northern Italy in 1859.
Approximately 300 thousand soldiers took part and the battle ended with 40
thousand dead or wounded.
A young businessman from Switzerland, named Henry
Durant, happened to be travelling in the area at that
time and was shocked by the carnage. He organized
first aid on the battle field by enlisting the help of
women from nearby villages. The medical ranks of the
armies were badly organised and could not cope with
the task. The volunteers assisted all the wounded
soldiers on the battlefield irrespective of which army
they belonged to. Here the seed was sown for the
priniciple / fundamental principle of impartiality which
has characterized the workings of the Red Cross
Movement ever since.
Three years after this incident Dunant published his book entitled „A Memory
of Solferino“ in which he descibes the battle and then suggests that an effort
be made to prevent the atrocious consequences of war. His idea was to train
special medical relief groups which could be sent to the scene of action if war
broke out and that the nations of the world would promise these groups
peaceful access to the scene of armed conflict on the grounds that they were
completely impartial and did not carry weapons.
Dunant won the support of similar minded men in Geneva and together they
founded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with Dunant
acting as secretary. The date of the meeting, 20 October 1863, is the
foundation day of the Red Cross Movement. The first Geneva Convention,
protecting soldiers wounded in the field, was signed at an international
conference in 1863. It was also decided to mark each volunteer in the medical
relief group with an emblem, a red cross on a white background, which was to
ensure their protection.
Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions are the basis for international
humanitarian law and the Red Cross Movement is its
guardian. The conventions have nothing to say about
when or under which circumstances war can be waged
but once armed conflict has broken out, these
conventions are valid and are accepted as laws for the
duration of war.
As was mentioned, the first Geneva Convention was
agreed upon in 1864. There are now 4 conventions and 3
additional protocols.
The second convention concerns the protection of Wounded, Sick and
Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea. The third convention concerns
rightful treatment of prisoners of war. And the fourth concerns the protection
of civilians from the atrocities of war.
It is possible to read the complete version of the Geneva Conventions on the
webpage: www.icrc.org.en
The Emblems
As previously mentioned, a decision was
taken at an international conference in
1864 that the medical relief groups should
bear an emblem, a red cross on a white
background, which would ensure their protection. It soon became apparent
that states whose main religion was Islam could not accept a red cross as their
emblem so they adopted a red crescent. Both emblems have been recognised
since 1876. A third emblem of protection was added in 2006, a red crystal,
which has no religious connotation. The emblems have 3 main purposes: to
protect victims of armed conflict and the medical relief workers and to mark
individuals and possessions belonging to the Red Cross.
There are clear, strict rules in practice on the use of the emblems, especially
concerning their use as protection in armed conflict. The emblems have no
religious meaning and are protected by international and national laws.
Misuse of the Red Cross emblems is taken very seriously as it endangers the
lives of victims of armed conflicts, volunteers and staff.
The use of clothing marked by the Red Cross is reserved for duty and work
within the Movement. Those wearing clothing marked by the Red Cross are
representatives of the Movement and its values. It is their duty to protect the
emblem and report any cases of misuse.
The Fundamental Principles
All Red Cross activity is built on 7 fundamental
principles which are: humanity, impartiality,
neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity
and universality.
These ideals are discussed here below:
Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, which developed from a desire to bring
assistance without discrimination to the wounded
on the battlefield, tries in its international and
national capacity to prevent and alleviate human
suffering wherever it may be found. The aim of the
movement is to protect life and health and ensure
respect for all mankind. It promotes mutual
understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting
peace amongst all peoples.
Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, gender, class
or political opinions. It tries to reduce the suffering of individuals, being guided
solely by their needs, and endeavours to give priority to the most urgent cases.
Neutrality
In order to continue enjoying the confidence of all, the Movement may not
take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political,
racial, religious or ideological nature.
Independence
The movement is independant. The National Societies, whilst auxiliaries in the
humanitarian services of their governments and subject to laws of their
respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be
able to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement at all times.
Voluntary service
It is a voluntary relief movement, not prompted in any manner by desire for
gain.
Unity
There can only be one Red Cross and Red Crescent Society in any one country.
It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its
territory.
Universality
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is world wide. All
societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in
helping each other.
The Development of the Red Cross Movement
In the years after the foundation of the International Committee of the Red
Cross in 1863, national societies were formed, one in each country. The
national societies help in cases of emergency and assist vulnerable groups.
According to the Geneva Conventions there
can only be one Red Cross or Red Crescent
Society in any one country and it has to be
recognised by the relevant government.
The International Commitee is an independent
body with its headquarters in Geneva. From its
foundation in 1863, its main work has been to
initiate relief work in the field where armed
conflict takes place. According to the Geneva Conventions, the Committee is
responsible for overseeing that the nations which have signed the declaration
and are involved in conflict respect the conventions. Consequently it ensures
that wounded and sick soldiers, prisoners of war and ordinary citizens are
protected.
In 1919 the national societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent formed an
organisation, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (IFRC).
Unlike the International Committee, the Federation is not independent, rather
an overseeing body for the national societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
with its headquarters in Geneva. The International Federation aims to support
national soceties in relief work in their respective countries and to unite their
international relief efforts. The Federation is best known for emergency relief
at the scene of natural disasters but it also unites resources in matters of
healthcare and developments in preparation for disasters and assistance in
their wake.
The main role of the staff of the Federation is primarily to support members in
their respective countries with the undertaking of relief work.
Deligates from the Icelandic Red Cross have taken part in international relief
work for many years now, on behalf of the International Committee, the
Federation and in co-operation with the national society of the respective
country involved.
The Icelandic Red Cross
The Icelandic Red Cross Society was
founded 10th of December, 1924. The
first chairman of the Icelandic Red Cross
was Sveinn Björnsson, who later
became the first president of the nation.
The Society has always been in the front line in matters concerning health,
social services and education. Many projects started by the Red Cross are now
run by the Icelandic state, local government or other authorities. Volunteers
have played a very strong role in the work of the Red Cross from the start.
The Icelandic Red Cross has a many different tasks domestically. The main
emphasis is on bringing assistance where it is needed. New projects are chosen
as a result of surveys and analysis. The Society carries out surveys regularly on
a national scale to find out which groups in Icelandic society are most
vulnerable with the aim of supporting them. Local branches of the Icelandic
Red Cross also carry out surveys to gather information on circumstances in
their local communities.
A few examples of domestic projects carried out by the Icelandic Red Cross will
be discussed below:
The Red Cross Help Line 1717
The Red Cross Help Line is open 24 hours a
day to provide help with problems or to
discuss matters that are w orrying people.
Special courses are held for volunteers who
are interested in taking part in this service.
The phones are answered in Reykjavík and
Akureyri.
The Help Line 1717 has the extra role of
providing information whenever there is a national emergency as in event of
an earthquake or eruption when a large area has to be evacuated. Information
is also provided for people enquiring about the whereabouts of relatives or
friends at such times.
Visiting service by volunteers
Several hundred people throughout the
country receive regular visits from Red Cross
volunteers. Volunteers, both male and female
of all ages, give a few hours every week to
visit lonely people and bring them happiness.
Volunteers answer all calls for visits. They visit
old and young people, those who are sick,
children with serious illnesses, prisoners,
people with mental health problems and refugees.
The volunteers attend a preliminary course run by the Red Cross before they
begin their visits.
Many visits take place in the homes of elderly people. The visits take place
regularly, usually once a week and last for an hour. The visits can also be in the
form of car trips and walks. It depends on the wishes of the host.
The Red Cross also offers visits with dogs as it has been shown that animals are
very suitable companions in many cases.
Clothes collection
Collecting used clothes is the largest
environmental project the Red Cross
undertakes in Iceland. Branches of the Red
Cross throughout the coun try collect used
clothes which are then redistributed where
ever need is greates
Many volunteers sort the collected clothing.
Once it has been sorted the clothing is sold in
the Red Cross shops throughout the country or
it is distributed to those in need in Iceland and abroad. What cannot be
distributed is sold abroad for recycling.
Clothes Contributions
The project is twofold. On the one hand volunteers knit and sew clothing which
is sold in the Red Cross shops or at markets held by the different branches. On
the other hand the volunteers knit and sew clothing for young children from 0
– 12 years old. Clothes parcels are then sent to poor people in cold countries in
the world.
Disaster preparedness
When danger arises as a result of natural
disasters or large scale accidents the Red
Cross Disaster Program goes into action.
The role of the Red Cross in Iceland, when a
civil defence state is announced, is to receive
people in a Red Cross emergency shelter, one
of which is in each county in the country,
most often housed in a school building.
There, people receive first aid, food, clothing and temporary shelter until it is
safe to return home or move into a more permanent accomodation.
It is possible to be a volunteer in an emergency shelter and be on call if help is
needed.
One has to attend a special course in running a shelter to become a shelter
organiser.
First Aid
Thousands of Icelanders learn first aid
each year at courses held by the Red Cross.
The Society supervises the teaching of first
aid in the country. It trains instructors,
supplies the material to be taught and
makes sure the subject is taught by the
most up to date methods.
psychological support after major
accidents and catastrophes.
Each year the Icelandic Red Cross nominates the First Aider of the Year with the
aim of encouraging people to learn first aid.
Knowledge of the basics in first aid can save a life in danger.
Supplimentary material: on the webpage www. redcross.is there are first aid
instructions to help in case of an accident or illness.
Day Shelters for people with mental health problems
The Red Cross assists in the running of several day
shelters for people with mental health problems.
These shelters provide a place to come to, have a
hot meal, read, play cards, take part in hobbies or a
place from which to go for walks.
The aim is to reduce isolation and improve the
quality of life.
International Projects
The policy of the Red Cross in international affairs is
to concentrate on projects where need is greatest,
where few others are involved and where the Red
Cross takes part in many projects abroad in
cooperation with the Red Cross society in the
respective country, on behalf of the the
International Committee and International
Federation or in cooperation with several national
societies.
The Red Cross takes part in international disaster
relief for people who suffer from natural disasters,
wars or from serious starvation.
International Project - Africa
The majority of long term projects the Icelandic Re d
Cross participates in are in Africa.
In Malawi the society concentrates on improving
health in areas where there is widespread poverty and
a high prevalance of AIDS.
In Sierra Leone the Society assists in the education of
children and young people, after the wrathful civil war
there.
In Somalia support from Iceland improves the heath
service for the herders.
International Project – Palestine
The Red Cross has for many years worked with the
Palestinian Red Crescent in many different projects
assisting people who have to live with the continual
tension of seige and conflict. Thousands of children
aged 10 to 12 have received psychological support,
ambulance drivers have taken part in first aid
courses and the citizens of Bethlehem have been
able to hold meetings with the help of the Palestine
Red Cresent.
International Project – Europe
Within Europe the Icelandic Red Cross emphasises
working with so called „forgotten areas“.
The main aim of the joint work between the Icelandic
Red Cross and Belarus Red Cross is to assist victims of
human trafficking and prevent the selling of people by
holding informative lectures for endangered groups,
who are mainly young people.
Thousands of children also receive parcels of clothing
from Iceland every year.
Amongst other projects in Eastern Europe is Disaster Preparedness project that
is being developed in Armenia and Georgia. There, the Icelandic experience of
closely knit teamwork between local Red Cross branches and public authorities
helps in the setting up of civil defences in the Caucasus region.