Role of the Red Cross

In these times of uncertainty, it is important to clarify the role of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the American Red Cross, at home, overseas during military action and in rendering humanitarian aid to the affected populations.

International Committee of the Red Cross
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
179 National Societies, Including the American Red Cross

International Committee of the Red Cross
Based on the Geneva Conventions and other agreements, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) acts as the lead agency for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement during times of armed conflict.

The Geneva Conventions are international treaties that mandate that vulnerable people (such as: prisoners of war, sick and wounded soldiers and civilians) not actively taking part in an armed conflict must be protected and their rights respected.

In this role, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC):

• Provides food, water, emergency relief and medical assistance to civilians without access to these basic necessities.
• Coordinates humanitarian relief efforts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in areas directly affected by conflict.
• Visits prisoners of war and civilian detainees held in relation to conflict to ensure that their conditions and treatment comply with the basic principles laid out in international humanitarian law (IHL).
• Conducts searches for missing persons.
• Exchanges messages to and from members of separated families.
• Reunites separated families.
• Helps to establish neutral and protected hospital and security zones in areas of conflict.
• Provides surgical equipment for war-wounded to hospitals and basic supplies to ensure that hospitals continue to operate during conflict.
• Through direct and confidential dialogue, reminds all sides participating in hostilities of their obligations under international humanitarian law - namely to respect and protect those not or no longer taking part in the fighting.
• Through direct and confidential dialogue, draws attention (to parties of the conflict) to serious IHL violations and encourages respect for IHL.
• Educates the public about IHL and the role of the ICRC in conflict (to encourage respect for the red cross and red crescent emblems) and contributes to the development of humanitarian law.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) is the membership association and international coordination arm for national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies throughout the world. Cooperation among national societies gives the Federation the ability to assist those most in need.

The Federation endeavors to support its member national societies through capacity building. When the needs of people affected by disaster exceed the capacity of their national society, the Federation helps coordinate the international response of other national societies. During conflicts the Federation works under the leadership of the ICRC to provide humanitarian assistance as necessary.

The American Red Cross (one of the 179 recognized national societies)
As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the American Red Cross supports the provision of humanitarian relief to war victims during an armed conflict. This support includes offering assistance to civilians affected by the conflict and tracing and Red Cross message services on behalf of prisoners of war and separated civilians. Assistance is provided in accordance with the Red Cross fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality.

The American Red Cross has a long history of offering support to the families of U.S. military personnel during times of peace and war. Putting families in touch with their loved ones in the armed forces during times of family crisis is a service that the American Red Cross is required to provide as mandated in its congressional charter.

In upholding the Fundamental Principles, including neutrality and impartiality, the American Red Cross does not take sides regarding the merits of any armed conflict. American Red Cross workers who deploy to U.S. military installations are civilians who do not carry weapons. They accompany the armed forces without actually being members of the military and provide emergency communications and other essential services.

The American Red Cross also educates the public about IHL and the activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The Geneva Conventions and the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross promotes and advocates respect for the protections of the Geneva Conventions and customary IHL, especially during times of armed conflict. These protections stipulate humanitarian treatment without discrimination for wounded and sick members of the armed forces on land and at sea, prisoners of war and civilians.

In 1997, the Board of Governors reaffirmed the commitment of the American Red Cross to the Geneva Conventions and to the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. As a member of the Movement, the American Red Cross calls upon all governments to respect their obligations as defined in the Geneva Conventions and stresses the need to allow the ICRC to carry out its protective role.

Civilians displaced by conflict are especially vulnerable. They may be internally displaced persons within their native country or they may have been forced out of their country by the conflict and become refugees. In the event of war, humanitarian support to these displaced populations becomes a critical service of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.