Together For Humanity
Indra Adhikari
World Red Cross Day was marked globally Tuesday with diverse activities. "Together for Humanity" was the theme of this year's events. In Nepal, different activities were carried out at the local, regional and national level to mark the day in memory of Jean Henry Dunant, the philanthropist, who generated ideas of a relief society, such as the Red Cross, and the international agreements, now popularly known as the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), in particular, the Geneva Conventions.Dignity Moreover, World Red Cross Day reminds both state and non-state parties of their obligation to respect the IHL and ensure the protection of life and respect for the dignity of civilians. May 8 also encourages Red Cross volunteers and staff to fully commit themselves to the role of reducing the vulnerability posed by armed conflict as well as natural and technological disasters in the world.Over a century and a half have elapsed since the armies of Austria and France fought ruthlessly at Solferino in Italy in 1859. About 40,000 soldiers were left dead and wounded. Thousands of soldiers from both the sides were left for want of medical care. Dunant, a Swiss businessman, was highly disturbed by the sight of the war and appealed to the local people to impartially take care of the wounded soldiers. Volunteers under Dunant's leadership provided humanitarian services to the best of their capacity.
More importantly, based on his ideas, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) came into being to protect and assist the victims of armed conflicts in 1963. Thus, events to mark May 8 are a tribute to the philanthropists, Dunant and his team, who gave birth to the Red Cross.In the course of achieving the goal of protection and providing assistance, 192 states have signed the Geneva Conventions, under which they have committed to establish national Red Cross societies. Today there are 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies globally. Moreover, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies has been working for better co-ordination and co-operation among the Red Cross and non-Red Cross partners to respond to the emergencies - social, natural or technological - since 1991. The international Federation is mandated particularly for disaster management and capacity building of the national societies. Nepal, as a signatory of the Geneva Conventions (August 12, 1949), accepted to formally establish the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) in 1963. Recognised by the ICRC and admitted by the international Federation as a member, the NRCS has grown to be the largest humanitarian network across the country. The Red Cross' strong co-operation with the government, UN agencies and other stakeholders is essential in dealing with crises that no single government or organisation alone can tackle, such as the rising challenges posed by catastrophes, conflicts, health emergencies and migration.
In a country like Nepal, if there is armed conflict or armed conflict with natural disaster, by expertise and experience, the ICRC plays a lead role. If there is large-scale disaster, the international Federation plays a lead role, and the national Red Cross societies work with both by mobilising their volunteers. Like most Red Cross and Red Crescent activities during peace and normal times, the NRCS also operates regular activities, such as blood transfusion service, eye hospital and eye care, ambulance service, first aid service, dissemination of IHL, promotion of humanitarian values, volunteer management, disaster preparedness, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS prevention, and dozens of community-level interventions to reduce social and economic vulnerabilities. These programmes benefit over a million and a half vulnerable people every year on average. The main role of the national society is to complement the government in its development efforts.
Thus the Red Cross or Red Crescent movement works for one central purpose - to prevent and alleviate human suffering, without discrimination, and to protect human dignity. Red Cross Red Crescent activities worldwide must follow fundamental principles, like humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.The Red Cross Red Crescent movement has actively involved over 100 million members and volunteers in its mission to respond to armed conflicts, and emergencies like natural and technological disasters throughout the world. The NRCS alone has about a million members and volunteers across Nepal. MDGsThe global movement is committed to achieving the target set by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which is applicable to the NRCS in the local context. The NRCS has been working with governments, donors and humanitarian agencies, public and private sectors and individuals at times of humanitarian crisis. Being guided by the seven principles, it always desires to work 'together for humanity' for tackling challenges posed by conflicts, health emergencies, poverty and migration.
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