The Icrc and Cross-Culture Perspecitives

The ICRC and Cross-Culture Perspectives

One of the largest and oldest international support groups in existence is the International Committee of the Red Cross. Now known as the ICRC, this committee has formed the basis of humanitarian aid across cultural boundaries around the world. The ICRC is not a single organization, but a committee made up of the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and 189 individual National Societies. Each component is legally separate, but all are united by seven Fundamental Principles. The principles they follow are humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

By establishing a code of rules that members must follow, they are able to move in and out of every country and interact in every nation on earth to assist those in need and provide humanitarian support. The biggest area of ethical practices in which the ICRC is involved with is humanitarianism. Being able to operate in multiple countries and states throughout the world and to survive the cultural differences in each has made them irreplaceable.

History and Founding of the ICRC

The ICRC was founded February 17, 1863 after Henry Dunant published a controversial book regarding the care given to soldiers during wartime. He had just returned from the war front and had witnessed thousands of soldiers lying wounded and dying on the battlefield with no one to care for them. Upon seeing this, he enlisted the help of local women and children to care for the soldiers regardless of what side they were on, constructed temporary field hospitals, and saw to the procurement of medical supplies. Ethically, he felt that no matter what side a soldier fought on, they deserved care after being wounded. His friends that met to discuss his book became the founding members of what was to become the ICRC. They brought together government representatives to agree on a proposal for national relief societies to aide in time of conflict and war. The continued efforts they strive for are outlined in 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. (The ICRC, March 2009)

Growth of the ICRC

Over the years, the ICRC has