International Humanitarian Relief Organizations International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCHR) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Amnesty International United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Catholic Relief Services (CRS-USCC) Defense of Children International (DCI)

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Creation: Created in 1863 –“an impartial, neutral and independent organization” – exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence…to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.” - Henry Dunant the key figure in its founding; he was appalled by suffering following Italian Battle of Solferino in 1859

ICRC Development: Instrumental in WWI and WWII tending to POWs, crafting humanitarian laws such as the Geneva Conventions Operations: The ICRC has a legal mandate from two sources: –the Geneva Conventions, task the ICRC with visiting prisoners, organizing relief operations, re-uniting separated families during armed conflicts; –the ICRC's Statutes, undertake similar work in situations of internal violence, where the Geneva Conventions do not apply.

ICRC - Operations Operations: The Geneva Conventions -Binding instruments of international law, applicable worldwide. -ICRC Statutes adopted at the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent: -Takes place every four years, -States party to the Geneva Conventions take part -Has a quasi-legal or “soft law” status on the Statutes

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Creation: UNHCR - Established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. Operations: lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. –Primary purpose safeguard the rights and well- being of refugees.

UNHCR -In five decades, the agency has helped an estimated 50 million people -Staff of around 6,689 people in 116 countries continues to help 20.8 million persons. - Mr. António Guterres, who joined UNHCR on June 15, 2005, is the UN refugee agency's 10th High Commissioner.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mission: –work for the protection of all human rights for all people; –empower people to realize their rights –assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. –Guided by the mandate provided by the General Assembly in resolution 48/141, the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent human rights instruments, the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document.

OHCHR Operations: –OHCHR works with a variety of governmental and non-governmental agencies and the United Nations system to develop and strengthen capacity, particularly at the national level, for the protection of human rights –Headquarters in the historic Palais Wilson building in Geneva, Switzerland. –Ms. Louise Arbour was appointed High Commissioner in July 2004

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Creation: Founded in 1919 –History the world's largest humanitarian organization. founded in 1919 in Paris in the aftermath of World War Red Cross idea born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco- Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or dying on the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical attention. (see slide 1) –Mission: to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

IFRC Development: five founding member Societies: Britain, France, Italy, Japan and the United States. –Number has grown over the years; now 181 recognized National Societies - one in almost every country in the world. Operations: Promote humanitarian values and the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which are: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, and universality

Amnesty International Creation: Began in 1961 following the writing of an article by a British lawyer regarding unlawful imprisonment of Portuguese students. –The first AI groups soon founded in the UK and Europe –seek a “permanent international movement in defense of freedom of religion and opinion.” Mission: undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.

Amnesty International Development: AI now has a varied network of members and supporters around the world. –more than 1.8 million members, supporters and subscribers in over 150 countries and territories in every region of the world. –Come from many different backgrounds and have widely different political and religious beliefs; united by a determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights. Operations: AI is a democratic, self-governing movement. Major policy decisions taken by International Council of representatives from all national sections. Funds are raised independent of governments…

United Nations Children’s Fund Creation: Created in 1946 (2006 its 50 year anniversary) through mandate by the United Nations General Assembly –Mission: Advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Operations: mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, deliver services for children.

UNICEF Governance: Ann M. Veneman, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, assumed the leadership of UNICEF on 1 May 2005, becoming the fifth Executive Director to lead the UN children’s agency in its 60- year history. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a universally agreed upon set of standards and obligations

Catholic Relief Services Creation: founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to aid in rebuilding after WW II –Mission: to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world. Operations: Work through local offices and an extensive network of partners – Operates on five continents and in 99 countries. –Aid the poor by first providing direct assistance where needed, then encouraging people to help with their own development.

Defense for Children International (DCI) Creation: July founded by Nigel Cantwell and Canon Moerman, during International Year of the Child –Mission: advocate for children's rights within the framework of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; –to foster awareness about, and solidarity around, children's rights situations; –to seek, promote and implement the most effective means of securing the protection of the rights in concrete situations

DCI Governance –Led by an Executive Director – Rebecca Morton –Based in Switzerland

DCI Operations: DCI has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, with UNICEF, UNESCO, and the Council of Europe publish information on children's rights undertake action-oriented investigations, e. g. the sexual exploitation of children, children in prison; take direct action in response to situations involving the violation of rights of specific group of children; monitor and evaluate the implementation of children's rights; work for improved international standards in children's rights stimulate co-operation and action, nationally, regionally and internationally