March is Red Cross Month (Week 2)

We turn our attention to the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement. (1) This movement is a global humanitarian network of 80 million people that helps those facing disaster, conflict, and health and social problems. It consists of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The International Committee of the Red Cross (“ICRC”) mission and mandate is:

“To protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and violence and to provide them with assistance.”

The ICRC was founded in 1863 and is an impartial, neutral and independent organization. The ICRC also encourage the development of international humanitarian action.

Today, the ICRC has key operations in several countries, including Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Ethiopia

The ICRC in Ethiopia protects detainees, restores family links, provides physical rehabilitation and works with the Ethiopia Red Cross. The delegation assigned to the African Union, according to the ICRC, highlights humanitarian issues, promotes International Humanitarian Law throughout Africa and raises awareness of the ICRC’s work on the continent.

Afghanistan

The ICRC is responding to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan by providing health care, supporting health care infrastructure, rehabilitation support, assisting people to establish livelihoods and incomes, helping families who have been separated, reconnect, improving access to clean water, sanitation and energy with the Afghan Red Crescent and other movement partners.

Ukraine

The Red Cross is vowing continued support for at-risk families in the region. According to the Red Cross, hundreds of thousands of people have fled Ukraine and even more displaced within the country. The Red Cross teams now in Ukraine will continue to work to repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities with medicines and equipment, and support families with food and hygiene items.

These are just 3 of the countries which the ICRC have active key operations. The ICRC continues to be a sign of hope to those whose lives have been shattered by war.

There are many ways you can support the ICRC. Here are two ways:

1. Giving. Giving financially is one way to give, other ways to give by being a part of their network of legal and financial professionals. Giving helps the ICRC to achieve their humanitarian goals by providing security, basic food and emergency medical care where it is needed the most.

2. Partner with the ICRC. The ICRC partners with businesses, governments and philanthropic organizations to help people affected by conflict and other violence. Working together benefits everyone. You can also support the ICRC from foundations that allows delegates to go on and help people affected by armed conflict.

Source:

1 International Red Cross at www.ICRC.org.

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