Note : The present report doesn't necessarily reflect the views of the ICRC.


Organisers:
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation)

Facilitators:
Pierre Krähenbühl, Director of Operations, ICRC
Abbas Gullet, Director of Disaster Management and Coordination, Federation

Moderator:
Jean-Paul Fallet

Rapporteur:
Kalle Löövi

The focus of the workshop was to debate on the challenges the changing environment creates to the humanitarian organisations as they are carrying out their activities, but it was noted that the always underlying factor is the security and welfare of the populations affected by emergencies.

Recent years, especially 2003, have exposed the ICRC, but also the International Federation and the national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to new types of situations. The new polarisation of the world is taking place between the states engaged in the “fight against terrorism” and a number of radical non-state actors determined to oppose them. Radical actors do not reject or even justify non-conventional of means and methods of warfare, including attacks against civilians and soft targets such as humanitarian organisations.

There are expectations in the polarised environment that all the actors, humanitarian organisations included, should take sides – ‘with us or against us’. The space for humanitarian and neutral activities is narrowing. Indeed the ICRC and other components of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have increasing difficulties in carrying out humanitarian activities based on their Fundamental Principles of independence and neutrality".

As the political response to some crises has not been sufficient to find solutions to the causes of these crisis, the role of the humanitarian action has been strongly highlighted and in some states and at the UN it has resulted in thoughts that humanitarian action could be considered as one of the crisis-management tools among political, military and other forms of interventions.

Humanitarian action is increasingly at the risk of being rejected by some radical groups as associated with the West and its allies. Some of the groups are deliberately increasing chaos and opposing stabilising aid to the population.

As the identification, and thus dialogue with such groups is almost not possible, one can only assume various motives of attacks against the ICRC or other humanitarian actors.

Humanitarian actors are also at risk when states assume that humanitarian action can be used as part of the military campaign. Military action and presence claimed to be humanitarian and any other activity blurring the distinction between the role and objectives of political and military actors on the one hand and humanitarian actors on the other creates serious perception and operational problems.

Cooperation and coordination with the United Nations improves the targeting of assistance and increases the efficiency of use of aid resources. The UN has a dual role as it uses sanctions and mandates military action to restore peace and order, but its agencies also provide humanitarian assistance to the people. The perception that there is a connection between military and humanitarian action can easily be created in the minds of people. The actual methods of cooperation and coordination with the UN should assess case by case – it is important that joint efforts contribute to the humanitarian objectives and to the safety and security of humanitarian personnel.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement requires better coordinated and well defined humanitarian action in all parts of the world. Experiences and perceptions of the people are rapidly communicated and may influence the Movement action in other parts of the world. It is utmost important that the states allow and encourage their National Societies to operate within the Fundamental Principles both in national and international environment. The National Societies should respect the Movement agreements on coordination as well as the integrity and mandates of the other components of the Movement. Movement entities should also ensure that their visibility campaigns and links to media do not risk their integrity. Their actions should also be based on the humanitarian needs and especially not in competition with other organisations. The Movement is encouraged to tackle these issues in a prompt and constructive manner.

Red Cross and Red Crescent personnel works among the people and the challenge is to respond to the real needs and to provide meaningful assistance through the programmes. To this end, the role of the National Societies and local personnel is greatly instrumental in being closer to the population and the victims and listening to them. Sustainable support to National Societies for their capacity building develops and maintains the possibilities of the societies to operate. By protecting human dignity and respecting the people, the Movement can successfully assist and also gain the acceptance of the people.

The security approach has to be developed to respond to the challenge of local risks and global threats. This also means that a proper dialogue is established or strengthened with all different actors in conflict and disaster situations. It is important to advocate the key Fundamental Principles and use them to explain what and how the Movement can do to help the people. It is unfortunately obvious that no operational environment is totally safe, but proper exchange of information will reduce the risks. Properly planned use of the diverse human resources can be used in improving acceptance and security of the personnel. Cooperation between the security managers of the ICRC and the Federation is very good and the National Societies are invited to develop their security procedures and structures in collaboration with the international components.

States are encouraged to help in making a better distinction between the separate mandate, nature and roles of humanitarian and political-military actors and in differentiating the humanitarian action from crisis management. The states’ commitment to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law helps the ICRC and other components of the Movement. This undertaking by states should include their will to ensure and defend our operational independence to act legitimately.