Saturday 16 March 2013

Reflections on the ICRC’s present and future role

Reflections on the ICRC’s present and future role in addressing humanitarian crises.


Volume 95 Number 889 Spring 2013 International Review of the Red Cross

Matthias Schmale, Under Secretary General of
National Society and Knowledge Development at the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies

Matthias Schmale is Under Secretary General of National Society and Knowledge Development at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). During his career with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Mr Schmale has also served as IFRC Under Secretary General for Programme Services and as IFRC Under Secretary General for Development, and International Director at the British Red Cross from 2005 to 2009.

While writing this opinion note about the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the occasion of its 150th anniversary, I fondly remembered many encounters with ICRC colleagues over almost twenty years. During numerous field visits to hugely challenging environments, such as Darfur or Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, I have been privileged to witness the ICRC as an action-oriented agency that delivers humanitarian aid. Around the globe there are countless people who will tell you with deeply felt gratitude how the ICRC has saved their lives and helped them cope with immeasurable suffering caused by armed conflicts and violence.

An important factor making the ICRC a credible, neutral, and independent actor is its competent and dedicated staff members. Like for so many humanitarian agencies, perhaps the biggest asset for the ICRC– apart from international humanitarian law providing the legal basis for its action, and the protective power of the emblem– is its people. Having got to know a considerable number of ICRC staff over the years, I can testify that, for many of them, working for the ICRC is more than a job: in an almost religious sense, they are committed and totally passionate about what they are doing for the cause of humanity. I remember vividly a cooperation delegate explaining with conviction and credibility many years ago to several Federation colleagues, on a hot evening somewhere in the field in Africa, how the ICRC is ‘an organization I would die for’.

The ICRC has come a long way from being a very Swiss, male-dominated organization to being multinational and more gender balanced in its staff composition. Even some years ago, the ICRC’s Director of Operations stated with pride in talks with British government representatives and the British Red Cross in London that among the 200 or so expatriate staff working in the then Sudan, the ICRC had almost fifty different nationalities represented.
For the ICRC, access to the most vulnerable people – often in places that others cannot reach– is based on NIIHA, neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian action. It was particularly during a visit to Darfur that I understood how much effort the ICRC puts into maintaining dialogue with all parties to a conflict in order to ensure access to people in need. If I remember correctly, at one point there were– apart from the Sudanese national army – at least eighteen armed factions on the ground in Darfur, with all of whom the ICRC maintained regular and professional dialogue.
The NIIHA approach is often misunderstood as the ICRC not caring about and closing its eyes to injustices. In this regard one of my lasting memories is of a panel discussion in Nairobi in the mid-90 s looking at how to deal with alleged perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide living amongst the numerous refugees housed in camps in north-western Tanzania. The event was organized to discuss the implications of a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) report suggesting that ‘humanitarian relief organizations may well be forced to halt their humanitarian relief activities’ due to the deteriorating security situation in the camps. During the panel  discussion the ICRC’s regional head of delegation eloquently outlined that neutrality does not mean sitting on the fence, and that in fact the ICRC always takes the side of the most vulnerable. He went on to explain that as long as the Red Cross and Red Crescent could reach the majority of people in desperate need of support it would and should stay and carry out its humanitarian work. He acknowledged the presence of people in the camps who had allegedly committed horrendous crimes against humanity, but insisted that it is not the job of humanitarians but of the police, the military, and governments to hunt down criminals and those violating international humanitarian law (IHL).
At the beginning of my own humanitarian journey, another ICRC colleague explained to me that working for Red Cross or Red Crescent ‘you need to be prepared to do business with devils’. When visiting Taliban-ruled Afghanistan I experienced what this meant in practice: without any doubt the leadership of the Afghan Red Crescent at the time was closely linked to the Taliban regime, and this was hard to stomach for even the most seasoned Red Cross or Red Crescent workers. At the same time, maintaining dialogue and relations with the Taliban and the leadership of the Afghan Red Crescent allowed the ICRC and its Movement partners to reach hundreds of thousands of Afghan people – including very vulnerable women and children– and deliver life-saving and dignified humanitarian aid.

Staying focused on action does not mean that the ICRC shies away from controversy and from trying to influence opinion leaders and decision-makers. In 2007, the ICRC stopped its humanitarian work in Myanmar and publicly criticized the authorities for not giving it the humanitarian access it needed to be effective (the ICRC has since resumed its activities there). Much of its influencing or advocacy work happens away from the public limelight and is thus insufficiently appreciated.
An example of this is the work the ICRC has been carrying out behind the scenes to work towards more acceptable conditions in prisons for those detained as a result of armed conflict and political disagreement. The ICRC’s detention delegates are unsung heroes. When they were released from their long captivity under the apartheid regime, Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists acknowledged that receiving visits from ICRC detention delegates were a lifeline to the outside world and an important part of surviving with their sanity intact.

What does the future hold for the ICRC?

Having expressed all these fully meant compliments about what the ICRC does andwhat it represents, the question is whether it will likely stay this way. We have to acknowledge that neutral, impartial, and independent humanitarian action is increasingly under threat, and not just in very recent times. In June 1996 I was working with the Federation’s regional delegation in Nairobi –home to a big ICRC base –when the tragic news of ICRC delegates being targeted and murdered in Burundi came through. This profoundly shook friends and colleagues in the ICRC, not least as this was followed a couple of months later – in December 1996 – by the similarly murderous attacks on ICRC delegates in Chechnya. The ICRC’s privileged access to vulnerable people in armed conflict and situations of violence suddenly seemed threatened by the proliferation of armed groups that did not understand or accept international humanitarian law, that were driven by a profound disrespect and disregard for humanity as well as a sense that an organization that has its roots in the West could not be truly neutral.

The ICRC leadership has understood that the world is changing rapidly and that the ICRC needs to adapt – potentially quite radically – if it wants to stay relevant. One of the reasons why the ICRC has increasingly focused on its operational partnerships with National Societies is the realization that access to sensitive conflict situations could no longer be guaranteed by relying on its own expatriate staff and its own relations with the respective national and local authorities. For a number of years now, the ICRC has been investing considerable resources into what it calls ‘cooperation with National Societies’. There are many examples in places like Afghanistan or Palestine where successful delivery of the ICRC’s humanitarian services is made possible through the network of National Society volunteers and staff.

A legitimate question is whether the ICRC is instrumentalizing National Societies for operational survival reasons. I share the perception that there is some ‘institutional arrogance’ in the ICRC– deriving from its size and impressive track record – and that it will take time to fully weave into its DNA how to evolve its relationships from that of a donor with National Societies as its delivery organizations to equal and fully transparent partnerships.
There are also inherent limitations to what an organization with an international global mandate can operationally transfer to national organizations.

As local actors, National Societies will continue to face conflict and war situations where they –with the best intentions –will not be able to provide fully neutral and independent humanitarian services to affected people. In such situations the responsibility for humanitarian action will likely continue to be with the internationally recognized neutral actor, namely the ICRC.
As it prepares itself for the future, the ICRC appears to be struggling to redefine its role and added value in the context of being part of a larger Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The ICRC’s President and Director General have publicly stated that we have to acknowledge that in the outside world we – that is ICRC, National Societies, and the International Federation– are seen as one and that we have no choice but to work together. Some in the ICRC see it asessential to fully embrace the Movement, as well as to further diversify its portfolio in order to, for instance, include and/or broaden the scope of its operational work to other situations of violence and to diversify its developmental action (e.g. in livelihood protection and agriculture), organizational development, and capacitybuilding. Others advocate for remaining focused on preserving and strengthening the ICRC– almost irrespective of what goes on in the rest of the Movement – and staying as close as possible to its original mandate. Former President Kellenberger clearly expressed this view when I heard him state a number of times that his job was to be President of the ICRC and not of the Movement. He saw National Societies and the Federation as privileged, but not exclusive, partners of the ICRC.
From my perspective, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will stay strong and relevant if all three – ICRC, National Societies, and the Secretariat of the International Federation–have a constructive dialogue about what the future might bring and what adjustments or changes will have to happen. A conventional view is that we have to keep all three components as healthy organizations, each delivering distinct services and value. And, not least of all given the tightening of financial resources, we will have to, at a minimum, avoid duplication as much as possible, provide our services in the most (cost-) effective manner and ensure that we each offer something unique and complementary. From this perspective, there are grounds to caution the ICRC not to give in to what is called ‘mission creep’ by further diversifying its activities. While modernizing and adapting, the ICRC would be well advised to stick to its roots by remaining the international humanitarian organization of choice for neutral, impartial, and independent response in times of conflict and violence, giving a lifeline to humanity for prisoners and remaining the guardian of international humanitarian law.
A more ‘out of the box’ view would suggest that what is described in the previous paragraph amounts to ‘fiddling while Rome is burning’, and that we need to be more brave and daring in jointly designing a future architecture for the Movement. This approach could entail anything from merging the two international components of the Movement (especially if they were to end up doing more or less the same) to redefining what each one should be doing. It would come with a zero tolerance for duplication by, for instance, having only one of the international organizations carry out operational work and the other – standard-setting and  maintaining the joint values and principles base.

Regardless of which one of these scenarios turns out to be more feasible and appropriate, the ICRC should not rest on its well-deserved laurels. If it wants the Movement as a whole to be strong and relevant, it will have to move beyond defending its own institutional interests and agreements outlining roles and responsibilities, such as the one reached at the Council of Delegates in 1997 in Seville. The ICRC should continue to identify and implement the mindset and organizational culture changes that will ensure that at its next major anniversary, it will receive similarly positive feedback on its role and performance as can be found in this edition of the International Review of the Red Cross.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

A large number obviously, you can be talking on how to clean pocket
pussy, those impurities invite the reproduction of bacteria.
Another new fight has been added to the stream popped up within about 30 seconds in
and I'm like: 'I'd rather go to the emergency room!

Here is my page: mens sex toys

Anonymous said...

Ηi therе to every , fοr the rеasοn that Ι am genuinely еager оf reading this webѕitе's post to be updated on a regular basis. It consists of pleasant information.

Take a look at my web-site - premature ejaculation pills

Anonymous said...

Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, might check this?
IE nonetheless is the market chief and a good component to
other folks will pass over your excellent writing due to this problem.



Here is my web blog: spa amenities Edenvale

Anonymous said...

This piece of writing gives clear idea designed for
the new people of blogging, that in fact how to do running a blog.



Feel free to visit my site :: kids party supplies Johannesburg

Anonymous said...

Your way of telling the whole thing in this piece of writing is in fact pleasant, all be able to easily understand it, Thanks a lot.


Also visit my web blog :: Sea Freight Gauteng

Anonymous said...

[b][url=http://www.beatsbydrepad.com/]Beats By Dre sale[/url][/b] i did before love examining had been best pigeons fly at the dot following that sprain plenty of poles massive. and that's pigeon take a look at, Pigeon buck, the spot where you inside? manchester wheels had been their Pigeon of preference. I want to know while jason likes pigeons when it reaches this stage? quite an excellent difficulty to slip in on an interview in the future.


[b][url=http://www.beatsbydresea.com]Cheap Beats By Dr Dre[/url][/b] "cover put it because of this: I don't even think that's simple. good, Singletary agreed. "It was difficult towards 35-10. A accept~A(c) comme vous et moi pourrions ~Aatre capabl'ensemble des d'appr~A(c)hendelawarer l. a,chicago musique won't fa~A§on producteurs et artistes appr~A(c)henr il. Chaque device, Chaque single articuler clairement information brillant qu'il s'agit d'une nouvelle accomplie. Ajout~A(c) ~A am~A(c)liorer d'amusement le casque accepte une emotions antibruit qui d~A(c)coupe babble exotique beats by dre pas cher tout vous appr~A(c)hendomr serait les donn~A(c)es money votre musique elle-m~Aame.


http://www.beatsbydrevogue.com with the current economic market for buyers audio goods (Which is about to be overwhelmed by alot of contenders regarding year into CES), shelter mentioned great has an earlier mover advantage in a niche and where there remains understandable, short and snappy chief executive. match writer electric martial arts disciplines (pink sheets,dow jones: ea) to earn a dedicated igaming wireless headset. But enterprise now looks sharp challenge via current leaders just like Turtle gulf of mexico, Which has countless taller-guide arena niche relationships by means of Activision Blizzard (pink sheets,dow jones: ATVI) coupled with manufacturers (pinkish: NTDOY) for the heralded (even though very pricey) headphones,

Anonymous said...

If you are going for most excellent contents
like myself, just pay a visit this website daily for the
reason that it offers feature contents, thanks

Have a look at my website - http://vintagewifemovies.com

Anonymous said...

Ηi to еvеry onе, aѕ I am tгuly eager of reаding
thіs wеbsite's post to be updated on a regular basis. It contains fastidious data.

My site Chemietoilette

Anonymous said...

If some one desires to be updated with latest technologies therefore he
must be pay a quick visit this site and be up to date daily.


Visit my webpage biometric fingerprints Gauteng biometric fingerprints Gauteng

Anonymous said...

What's Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & help different users like its aided me. Great job.

my web page: soccer jerseys South Africa

Anonymous said...

My developer is trying to persuade me to
move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea
because of the costs. But he's tryiong none the less. I've been using WordPress on various
websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform.
I have heard good things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?
Any help would be really appreciated!

my web site architectural drafting Johannesburg

Vietnam tours said...

I like your post, i like it.

Anonymous said...

I have read so many posts regarding the blogger lovers however this post is genuinely a fastidious paragraph,
keep it up.

My web blog :: click here

Anonymous said...

I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your
sites really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. Cheers

my web site ... business loans Cape Town

Anonymous said...

Hello there, I discovered your web site by means of Google while looking for a comparable topic,
your website got here up, it seems to be great.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, simply was aware of your blog through Google, and located that it is truly informative.
I'm going to watch out for brussels. I'll be grateful in the event you
proceed this in future. Many people might be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!

Look at my blog; Ohio Movers

Vietnam travel guide said...

I like your post, thank you!

Grand Vietnam tours said...

Nice post, i like it.

Anonymous said...

Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids.
I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter
and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She placed
the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!


Have a look at my website ... ideal waist to hip ratio

Anonymous said...

Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a
community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work
on. You have done a outstanding job!

My page clear

Anonymous said...

Your mode of telling everything in this article is truly fastidious, all can effortlessly understand
it, Thanks a lot.

Check out my webpage :: airplane Games simulator

Anonymous said...

wonderful issues altogether, you simply gained a new reader.
What might you suggest about your publish that you made some days
ago? Any positive?

Take a look at my homepage diets that work

Anonymous said...

Whats up this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to
know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with
HTML. I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

Take a look at my web blog; bmi chart

Anonymous said...

I know this site offers quality dependent content and extra material, is there any other web site which gives these kinds of stuff in quality?



My web blog - http://www.etalkers.kr/zbxe/?mid=EBoardEtc&listStyle=webzine&sort_index=regdate&order_type=asc&document_srl=2049

Anonymous said...

rayban sunglasses, [url=http://rayban.genin.jp/]http://rayban.genin.jp/[/url]
and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, ZIPPO lighters done as the plural is insignia of American culture. rayban English called Ray-Ban, [url=http://rayban.client.jp/]rayban サングラス[/url]
Gleam as flaunting, Ban the congest, sunglasses hunk the glitter of the sunrise is essential. In the maiden half of the 20th century, wearing a rayban [url=http://rayban.amigasa.jp/]サングラス レイバン[/url]
lenses are the biggest names in the relaxation utilization entrails, Gary - Permit, Audrey Hepburn is its loyal. Moment, rayban this diversity in the mould of people's daily publishing with the law frequently. Wayfarer-style whey-faced coffer, red encase, ebony strike, tortoiseshell ...... [url=http://rayban.ashigaru.jp/]レイバン サングラス[/url]
disagreeing rayban sunglasses casing in Hollywood stars veneer, with rig out civilian clothes, appeared on sundry [url=http://rayban.genin.jp/]サングラス レイバン[/url]
occasions. Sienna Miller, Olsen sisters, Kirsten Dunst rayban and so are the backbone.

Anonymous said...

Gucci, the Italian mould brand, past means of Gucci, [url=http://gucci.kurushiunai.jp/][b]グッチ 財布[/b][/url]
Leo Gucci founded in Florence in 1921. Gucci products include the trend, leather goods, shoes, watches, neckties, scarves, perfumes, household goods and hug supplies, Chinese rub out Gucci, Gucci. Gucci has always been high-end look brands, remuneration, lascivious and important, [url=http://gucci.at-ninja.jp/][b]gucci.at-ninja.jp[/b][/url]
as "a mark of pre-eminence and riches," Industrialist mellow precious consumer enticing of awful academy, the obligation community has always been favored, while until at once ?la mode fashion. Gucci is contemporarily Italy's largest the lead gang Gucci - ceaseless, noteworthy and notable [url=http://gucci.kanashibari.jp/][b]グッチ アウトレット[/b][/url]
stars of all ages, the fingerprint inspired by the actor, the princess and the ladies of other famous women. In the same instant in a while its Skilled Forestall: Frida Jana Ni (Frida Giannini), irreversibility this [url=http://gucci.komusou.jp/][b]gucci 新作 財布[/b][/url]
significant place to supplemental heights. Its products [url=http://gucci.at-ninja.jp/][b]財布 グッチ[/b][/url]
subsume: exemplar shoes, enjoyment handbags, jewelry, watches and fragrances and so on.

Unknown said...

This is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to know about this topic. It contains truly information. Your website is very useful. I admire the valuable advice you make available in your expertly written content. I want to thank you for this informative read. I really appreciate sharing this great. Stock Tips