International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies
and Red Crescent Societies
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www.MickMaurer.com
The International Federation was founded in 1919 in Paris in the aftermath of World War I. The war had shown a need for close cooperation between Red Cross
Societies, which, through their humanitarian activities on behalf of prisoners of war and combatants, had attracted millions of volunteers and built a large body of expertise. A devastated Europe could
not afford to lose such a resource.
It was Henry Davison, president of the American Red Cross War Committee, who proposed forming a federation of these National Societies. An international medical conference initiated by Davison
resulted in the birth of the League of Red Cross Societies, which was renamed in October 1983 to the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and then in November 1991 to become the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The first objective of the Federation was to improve the health of people in countries that had suffered greatly during the four years of war. Its goals were "to strengthen and unite, for health
activities, already-existing Red Cross Societies and to promote the creation of new Societies"
There were five founding member Societies: Britain, France, Italy, Japan and the United States. This number has grown over the years and there are now 185 recognized National Societies - one in
almost every country in the world. Its first mission was to assist typhus and famine victims in Poland; today it runs more than 80 relief operations a year.
The Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial Austria and the
Franco-Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or dying on the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical attention.
Dunant organized local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and to feed and comfort them. On his return, he called for the creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war, and
pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions.
"Would there not be some means, during a period of peace and calm, of forming relief societies whose object would be to have the wounded cared for in time of war by enthusiastic, devoted
volunteers, fully qualified for the task?" he wrote.
The Red Cross was born in 1863 when five Geneva men, including Dunant, set up the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, later to become the International Committee of the Red
Cross. Its emblem was a red cross on a white background: the inverse of the Swiss flag. The following year, 12 governments adopted the first Geneva Convention; a milestone in the history of
humanity, offering care for the wounded, and defining medical services as "neutral" on the battlefield.
Societies, which, through their humanitarian activities on behalf of prisoners of war and combatants, had attracted millions of volunteers and built a large body of expertise. A devastated Europe could
not afford to lose such a resource.
It was Henry Davison, president of the American Red Cross War Committee, who proposed forming a federation of these National Societies. An international medical conference initiated by Davison
resulted in the birth of the League of Red Cross Societies, which was renamed in October 1983 to the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and then in November 1991 to become the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The first objective of the Federation was to improve the health of people in countries that had suffered greatly during the four years of war. Its goals were "to strengthen and unite, for health
activities, already-existing Red Cross Societies and to promote the creation of new Societies"
There were five founding member Societies: Britain, France, Italy, Japan and the United States. This number has grown over the years and there are now 185 recognized National Societies - one in
almost every country in the world. Its first mission was to assist typhus and famine victims in Poland; today it runs more than 80 relief operations a year.
The Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial Austria and the
Franco-Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or dying on the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical attention.
Dunant organized local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and to feed and comfort them. On his return, he called for the creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war, and
pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions.
"Would there not be some means, during a period of peace and calm, of forming relief societies whose object would be to have the wounded cared for in time of war by enthusiastic, devoted
volunteers, fully qualified for the task?" he wrote.
The Red Cross was born in 1863 when five Geneva men, including Dunant, set up the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, later to become the International Committee of the Red
Cross. Its emblem was a red cross on a white background: the inverse of the Swiss flag. The following year, 12 governments adopted the first Geneva Convention; a milestone in the history of
humanity, offering care for the wounded, and defining medical services as "neutral" on the battlefield.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement comprises the following:
* The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
* The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and
* 185 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide.
The Strategy for the Movement (Update 2005) was adopted in 2001 and aims to strengthen the Movement's ability to reach vulnerable
people with effective humanitarian action. It outlines objectives and expected results as to how the ICRC, the Federation and National
Societies worldwide can all work together. It is available online (PDF file, 2.8 Mb, 34 pages).
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 war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It
directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavours to
prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the
ICRC is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies works on the basis of the Principles of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement to inspire, facilitate and promote all humanitarian activities carried out by its member National Societies to
improve the situation of the most vulnerable people. Founded in 1919, the Federation directs and coordinates international assistance
of the Movement to victims of natural and technological disasters, to refugees and in health emergencies. It acts as the official
representative of its member Societies in the international field. It promotes cooperation between National Societies, and works to
strengthen their capacity to carry out effective disaster preparedness, health and social programmes.
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies embody the work and principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement in 185 countries. National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field
and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes. During wartime, National Societies assist the
affected civilian population and support the army medical services where appropriate.
The ICRC, the Federation and the National Societies are independent bodies. Each has its own individual status and exercises no
authority over the others.
The bodies of the Movement are:
* The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
* The Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
* The Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent includes delegations from: the National Societies; the ICRC; the
Federation; and States party to the Geneva Conventions, at present numbering 188. Normally it is held every four years. Each of these
delegations shall have a single vote.
The Council of Delegates includes delegations from: the National Societies; the ICRC; and the International Federation. The Council of
Delegates is the meeting of the components of the Movement. It meets on the occasion of each International Conference and, in
principle, on the occasion of each General Assembly of the Federation.
The Standing Commission consists of nine members: five members elected by the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent; two representatives from the ICRC, one of whom shall be the President; two representatives from the International
Federation, one of whom shall be the President. In general it meets every six months.
Funds
The French Fund Maurice de Madre consists of the property bequeathed to the International Committee of the Red Cross under the will
made by Comte Maurice de Madre, who died on 25 December 1970. It is available for all staff of the International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement. Find out more on the International Committee of the Red Cross web site.
* The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
* The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and
* 185 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide.
The Strategy for the Movement (Update 2005) was adopted in 2001 and aims to strengthen the Movement's ability to reach vulnerable
people with effective humanitarian action. It outlines objectives and expected results as to how the ICRC, the Federation and National
Societies worldwide can all work together. It is available online (PDF file, 2.8 Mb, 34 pages).
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 war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It
directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavours to
prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the
ICRC is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies works on the basis of the Principles of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement to inspire, facilitate and promote all humanitarian activities carried out by its member National Societies to
improve the situation of the most vulnerable people. Founded in 1919, the Federation directs and coordinates international assistance
of the Movement to victims of natural and technological disasters, to refugees and in health emergencies. It acts as the official
representative of its member Societies in the international field. It promotes cooperation between National Societies, and works to
strengthen their capacity to carry out effective disaster preparedness, health and social programmes.
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies embody the work and principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement in 185 countries. National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field
and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes. During wartime, National Societies assist the
affected civilian population and support the army medical services where appropriate.
The ICRC, the Federation and the National Societies are independent bodies. Each has its own individual status and exercises no
authority over the others.
The bodies of the Movement are:
* The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
* The Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
* The Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent includes delegations from: the National Societies; the ICRC; the
Federation; and States party to the Geneva Conventions, at present numbering 188. Normally it is held every four years. Each of these
delegations shall have a single vote.
The Council of Delegates includes delegations from: the National Societies; the ICRC; and the International Federation. The Council of
Delegates is the meeting of the components of the Movement. It meets on the occasion of each International Conference and, in
principle, on the occasion of each General Assembly of the Federation.
The Standing Commission consists of nine members: five members elected by the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent; two representatives from the ICRC, one of whom shall be the President; two representatives from the International
Federation, one of whom shall be the President. In general it meets every six months.
Funds
The French Fund Maurice de Madre consists of the property bequeathed to the International Committee of the Red Cross under the will
made by Comte Maurice de Madre, who died on 25 December 1970. It is available for all staff of the International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement. Find out more on the International Committee of the Red Cross web site.
National Societies
National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field
and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes, and assistance to
people affected by war. Together, the National Societies have 97 million members and volunteers, and
300,000 employees, assisting some 233 million beneficiaries each year.
National Society programmes and services address both immediate and
long-term needs and include:
* emergency shelter, food and medicine
* water and sanitation
* restoring family contact for disaster victims
* disaster preparedness
* community-based health and care
* first aid training and activities
* control and prevention of diseases
* HIV/AIDS prevention
* blood donor recruitment, collection and supply
* youth and volunteer activities
The promotion of humanitarian values is an intrinsic part of all Red Cross and Red Crescent activities. The
National Societies conduct campaigns and speak on behalf of vulnerable people in their own countries. They
also promote awareness of international humanitarian law and advocate internationally through the Federation
and with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field
and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes, and assistance to
people affected by war. Together, the National Societies have 97 million members and volunteers, and
300,000 employees, assisting some 233 million beneficiaries each year.
National Society programmes and services address both immediate and
long-term needs and include:
* emergency shelter, food and medicine
* water and sanitation
* restoring family contact for disaster victims
* disaster preparedness
* community-based health and care
* first aid training and activities
* control and prevention of diseases
* HIV/AIDS prevention
* blood donor recruitment, collection and supply
* youth and volunteer activities
The promotion of humanitarian values is an intrinsic part of all Red Cross and Red Crescent activities. The
National Societies conduct campaigns and speak on behalf of vulnerable people in their own countries. They
also promote awareness of international humanitarian law and advocate internationally through the Federation
and with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
1. How can an emblem be used?
The emblems recognized by the Geneva Conventions have two uses: a protective use and an indicative use.
The first use is as a visible sign of the protection conferred by international humanitarian law on persons, vehicles and structures of the medical services of the armed forces, medical staff from
National Societies and persons, vehicles and structures of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This is the
protective use of the emblem.
The second use of the emblem identifies persons, vehicles or structures linked to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This is the indicative use of the emblem.
The most common indicative use of the emblem is the logo of National Societies, displaying the emblem, accompanied by the name or initials of the National Society and used to identify activities,
persons and objects linked to the National Society.
2. Who decides whether the additional emblem will be used in a State?
As the red crystal, like the other emblems, is established by a treaty, the government of a State takes that decision. It is possible for a State to decide to adopt the additional emblem as the
exclusive emblem to be used on its territory. It is also possible for the government to lay down rules governing the way the red crystal can be used for temporary or emergency purposes, in
accordance with the Protocol. This is its own decision, taken in accordance with its own national laws.
3. What will happen to the emblem now in use in my country?
There will be no change unless the State wants to change. States and National Societies that currently use and want to keep using the red cross or the red crescent will continue to do so.
4. Will it be possible to incorporate the red cross, the red crescent or another emblem inside the red crystal?
For indicative use only, National Societies may choose to incorporate, inside the red crystal, a distinctive emblem recognized by the Geneva Conventions or a combination of such emblems. A National
Society could therefore adopt the red crystal emblem without abandoning its 'traditional' red cross or red crescent emblem.
The Protocol also provides for new opportunities, allowing National Societies to include a combination of these emblems inside the red crystal. This flexibility will help some National Societies working
outside their own territory in countries where their own emblem is not well known or respected.
5. What will be the situation in Israel?
The Protocol enables Magen David Adom in Israel to continue to use its red shield of David as its sole emblem inside Israel. When working outside Israel the Society will need to work according to the
requirements of the host country. Normally this would mean that it could display the red shield of David incorporated within the red crystal, or use the red crystal alone.
6. What happens if a National Society operates in another country?
When Societies want to use their name and emblem in another country or territory they are always subject to the laws of that country and to the agreement of the National Society of that country, as
well as to agreement from any countries of transit. This rule has been in place since 1921, and has been reaffirmed by the Protocol.
7. Will the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement change their
names or current emblems?
No. The preamble of the Third Additional Protocol notes the determination of the international components of the Movement to retain their current names and emblems.
However, the Protocol also enables ICRC and the International Federation to decide to use the additional emblem, temporarily and under exceptional circumstance. This would be in complex situations
where local circumstances suggest that it would provide additional protection and safety for victims, staff and operations.
The emblems recognized by the Geneva Conventions have two uses: a protective use and an indicative use.
The first use is as a visible sign of the protection conferred by international humanitarian law on persons, vehicles and structures of the medical services of the armed forces, medical staff from
National Societies and persons, vehicles and structures of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This is the
protective use of the emblem.
The second use of the emblem identifies persons, vehicles or structures linked to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This is the indicative use of the emblem.
The most common indicative use of the emblem is the logo of National Societies, displaying the emblem, accompanied by the name or initials of the National Society and used to identify activities,
persons and objects linked to the National Society.
2. Who decides whether the additional emblem will be used in a State?
As the red crystal, like the other emblems, is established by a treaty, the government of a State takes that decision. It is possible for a State to decide to adopt the additional emblem as the
exclusive emblem to be used on its territory. It is also possible for the government to lay down rules governing the way the red crystal can be used for temporary or emergency purposes, in
accordance with the Protocol. This is its own decision, taken in accordance with its own national laws.
3. What will happen to the emblem now in use in my country?
There will be no change unless the State wants to change. States and National Societies that currently use and want to keep using the red cross or the red crescent will continue to do so.
4. Will it be possible to incorporate the red cross, the red crescent or another emblem inside the red crystal?
For indicative use only, National Societies may choose to incorporate, inside the red crystal, a distinctive emblem recognized by the Geneva Conventions or a combination of such emblems. A National
Society could therefore adopt the red crystal emblem without abandoning its 'traditional' red cross or red crescent emblem.
The Protocol also provides for new opportunities, allowing National Societies to include a combination of these emblems inside the red crystal. This flexibility will help some National Societies working
outside their own territory in countries where their own emblem is not well known or respected.
5. What will be the situation in Israel?
The Protocol enables Magen David Adom in Israel to continue to use its red shield of David as its sole emblem inside Israel. When working outside Israel the Society will need to work according to the
requirements of the host country. Normally this would mean that it could display the red shield of David incorporated within the red crystal, or use the red crystal alone.
6. What happens if a National Society operates in another country?
When Societies want to use their name and emblem in another country or territory they are always subject to the laws of that country and to the agreement of the National Society of that country, as
well as to agreement from any countries of transit. This rule has been in place since 1921, and has been reaffirmed by the Protocol.
7. Will the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement change their
names or current emblems?
No. The preamble of the Third Additional Protocol notes the determination of the international components of the Movement to retain their current names and emblems.
However, the Protocol also enables ICRC and the International Federation to decide to use the additional emblem, temporarily and under exceptional circumstance. This would be in complex situations
where local circumstances suggest that it would provide additional protection and safety for victims, staff and operations.
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