Red Cross: From wars, though earthquakes to rock concerts

Jun 23, 2009, 23:24 GMT

Geneva - From the very beginning, the International Committee of the Red Cross set out create societies across the world that exist during peace time and can provide a pool of well-prepared volunteers ready in case of war.

'The idea of the Red Cross was born out of war,' said Stephen Ryan, who works with youth and volunteers at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, the secretariat that binds together the 186 national societies and 97 million members and volunteers.

'But what about countries that are not at war?' he asked.

Ryan started out like many others at a branch on national level - he took a first aid course run by the Irish Red Cross.

'When I was 16 I began training others in first aid,' he said. In addition to teaching lifesaving techniques, the Red Cross volunteers also pass on the movement's ideals, most notably the belief that each person is entitled to impartial humane treatment without prejudice.

National societies can run blood banks, lifeguard courses and some function as ambulatory services. Many organize volunteers to stand on the ready at rock music concerts and various other public events.

National societies are usually prepared and among the first to respond to natural disasters, whether it is flooding in parts of Europe or hurricane-prone areas in the United States. Operations are usually coordinated with governments.

'It is still the function of the Swiss Red Cross to assist the medical service of the Swiss Army,' said Beat Wagner, the spokesman for organization based in the capital Bern.

This is the most traditional service of the Red Cross,' he explained, noting that even a neutral country like Switzerland still maintains a volunteer corps.

However, given that it has been generations since Swiss soldiers fired at an enemy combatant, most of the volunteers are involved in local charity work and help out in disasters.

The Swiss Red Cross services are extended to the ill, handicapped and elderly. It also assists refugees who have been granted asylum in the Alpine land.

To raise money, like the British Red Cross and other national societies, the Swiss run shops, where they sell second-hand goods.

They also train dogs used in search as rescue operations in situations such as the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Iran's historic city of Bam that claims tens of thousands of lives.

'A response to a natural disaster begins with a national society,' said Christine South of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent's disaster relief team.

The local societies, she said, are well placed within communities and generally have the trust of their governments.

'Myanmar after the cyclone was a good example,' she said. The federation was able to help the national society, which was the only organization with early unfettered access to the victims.

The other societies can offer their resources. Rescue dogs, life boats, food and medicine from each national society are sent to the disaster areas through the international coordination mechanism.

Time not spent on tragedies is used to develop national societies in poor countries, through trainings and the allotment of resources.

John Roche, who works for the federation's Africa department, said this approach has been paying off.

'In Kenya, the Red Cross is seen as a lead humanitarian player,' Roche said. During post election ethnic violence last year, the national society was able to fill the role of a neutral provider of assistance to all sides.

Nonetheless, it does not always work. In times of internal tension or civil war, political, social and ethnic minorities can experience strife with a majority run national society.

During World War II, national societies in France, Germany and other countries were controlled by Nazis and their allies, ensuring the ideal of impartiality was not met.

The Kenyan Red Cross, however, was providing a model the international secretariat would like to see. Having overcome its own ethnic divisions, it is now aiding its African neighbors.

'During the floods last year in Uganda, the Kenyan Red Cross was providing crucial assistance,' Roche said. This is the ideal way to work, he added, given their physical proximity and cultural affinity.