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150 years ICRC
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Interview with Manuel Bessler
150 years International Committee of the Red Cross
To protect the lives and dignity of the victims of armed conflict: Even today, 150 years after it was founded, this still remains the mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ICRC is the most important international partner of Swiss Humanitarian Aid. We asked Switzerland’s Delegate for humanitarian aid, Manuel Bessler, about the cooperation between the ICRC and Swiss Humanitarian Aid.
Article, 13.2.2013

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict, provide them with assistance and prevent suffering by promoting international humanitarian law and principles: this is the mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Switzerland’s most important international humanitarian partner, the ICRC receives one third of SDC’s financial resources for humanitarian aid.

The ICRC is impartial, neutral and independent. Its humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening International 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 emblem on an airplane used by the ICRC at Bukavu airport. (© ICRC)

Founded
1863: founding of the International committee of aid organisations for the treatment of wounded, the predecessor of the ICRC by Henry Dunant.

Headquarters

Swiss contribution 2013

ICRC Budget 2013

Geneva

CHF 114.5 m

CHF 1175.5 m

Themes

The ICRC’s main activities include:

A Syrian refugee in Lebanon receiving support from the ICRC.
A Syrian refugee in Lebanon receiving support from the ICRC. (© ICRC)

Results: Privileged humanitarian access

Due to its particular mandate, its internationally recognized professionalism and respect for humanitarian principles, the ICRC is one of the few organizations with a privileged humanitarian access in situations of armed conflict. During crises the ICRC is often one of the only organisations able to operate in areas inaccessible to other organizations.

Together with the local Red Crescent or Red Cross organizations, the ICRC assists the population while providing them with safe water, food, health and basic necessities. At the same time, the ICRC carries out its protection activities, namely visiting detainees and restoring family links.

Switzerland’s commitment

One third of the budget of Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid is allocated to the ICRC, making Switzerland the second most important ICRC-donor in 2012.

Switzerland is not only depositary state of the Geneva Conventions that form the basis of the ICRC’s work, it also supports the ICRC in its efforts to respond to the continuously evolving humanitarian challenges, to promote respect for humanitarian principles and to strengthen International Humanitarian Law. Switzerland’s support for and partnership with the ICRC also ensures its timely and effective response to emergencies, the protection of civilians and the provision of health care in the field.

Cooperation between SDC and the ICRC is generally very good: their work often is complementary. Upon request of the ICRC, SDC nominates members of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit for specific missions, while the SDC can rely on the extensive network of the ICRC and its national entities to fulfil its mandate during crises. In addition to regular meetings, the two bodies meet frequently during emergencies to exchange information.

Results: Focus on the most urgent needs

Since 2012, Switzerland focuses its support on the most urgent needs of affected communities. It also gives preference to underfinanced ICRC operations (Iraq, Colombia, and Israel/OpT) rather than contributing to over-financed operations.

When allocating its funds, Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid takes into consideration the needs of civilians within an affected country as well as the needs of those who have fled to neighbouring countries. During the Syrian crisis that began in March 2011 thousands of refugees fled to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Swiss Humanitarian Aid supported the ICRC’s activities in Syria as well as in Lebanon and Jordan.

Challenges

Swiss Humanitarian Aid provides financial support to ICRC operations. Whenever possible they work together when the two organisations are present in the field during a crisis, as was the case in Libya in 2011. There, ICRC focused on war-related casualties while Swiss Humanitarian Aid concentrated on other health issues that affected civilians.

On a policy level, the ICRC often requests Switzerland’s involvement in diplomatic initiatives. This primarily involves mediation activities or peace negotiations between parties involved in a conflict. As a neutral country Switzerland is well-suited for this purpose.

Switzerland and the ICRC also collaborate on joint initiatives, such as the Swiss-ICRC Initiative launched in 2012 to strengthen compliance with International Humanitarian Law. This initiative aims to provide legal protection to all victims of armed conflicts. Such initiatives also include the facilitation of humanitarian access and the definition of regulations for private military and security contractors.

Additional Information and Documents