150th Anniversary of the Red Cross Humanitarian aid – Finnish RC
01.10.2013
Christine BeerliVice-President
Presentation outline
ICRC‘s role and identity
The evolving nature of armed conflict
Key operational challenges for the ICRC
ICRC role and identity
Dual ambition : - assist victims - limit effects of armed conflict
Active dialog and engagement with armed forces
Special status under international law
The ICRC: Mission
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 endeavors 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.
International Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement
Victims of armed conflict Promote and develop IHL
Health and social work Action in conflict and natural disaster Promote volunteers and youth (Finnish RC established 1877)
Coordinating National Societies Natural disasters, health and social
crisis
Armed conflict
(incl. natural disasterin conflict situation)
ICRC
Lead AgencyNational SocietyPrimary Partner
Natural Disaster,Health outbreaks and social crisis
(in peacetime)
National SocietyLead Agency
or Primary Partner of
International Federation
as Lead Agency
International Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement (Coordination of International activities)
Seville Agreement
Middle East and North Africa - Key trends in armed conflicts and other situations of violence (1) Live and cope with the unforeseeable
Leadership changes and elections Political upheavals and armed conflict Complexity and diversity of currents
Middle East and North Africa - Key trends in armed conflicts and other situations of violence (1) Live and cope with the unforeseeable
100’000 reported dead, 0.5 mio Wounded, Over 4.3 mio IDPs, 2 mio refugees, thousands of missing…
Violations of IHL: widespread and systemic – Protection Crisis
Gap widens between needs and response
Access, Security, Acceptance
Economy severely weakened – local economies
Increased spill over incidents & Refugee crisis
Syria - One of the most tragic crisis in modern history
Exceptional Level of Humanitarian needs
Middle East and North Africa Key trends in armed conflicts and other situations of violence (1)
From SAHEL to SOMALIA: radicalism, fragmentation andregional instability
Democratic Republic of Congo Key trends in armed conflicts and other situations of violence (2)
Protracted conflicts and connection with resources
When elections lead to violence
„The fight against Al-Qaeda and its affiliates“
Climate change, displacement,migration and violence
Criminality and urban violence
Key trends in armed conflicts and other situations of violence (3)
Human insecurity and the nature of vulnerability Direct and indirect effects – Acute and chronic needs
Physical and mental effects
Health Care in Danger (HCiD)
The evolving nature of armed conflict(1)
Diversity of situations: majority internal conflicts
Asymmetry of means and objectives
Increase and diversity of non-state armed groups
Their tendency of fragment
Key operational challenges for the ICRC(1)
Scope of action and challenges for access
Security and perception
Dialogue with all parties to a conflict: „Why and what for“?
Demonstrating the added-value of neutrality and independence
The ICRC and Finland - FinRC
ICRC values cooperation with FinRC
Long tradition of cooperation in the field of health and surgery (Finnish health staff and equipment): Khao-I-Dang, Pakistan-Afghanistan, South Sudan, Libya, etc.
Rapid Deployment agreement capacity statement Health
Making the link between ICRC and the Finnish government and general public.
Promoting Humanitarian principles and IHL (cf. “MoU Nordic NS on IHL and NIIHA).