‘People live here’ Images of enduring pain in the Caucasus Lessons in the sand What we’ve learned on the Libyan–Tunisian border Red Cross Red Crescent Humanity 2.0 ISSUE 1 . 2012 redcross.int Can new technology help us save lives?

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There’s more to this portrait of Movement founder Henry Dunant than first meets the eye. The creation of French artist Franck Bouroullec, the portrait was painted in a matter of minutes before more than 1,000 delegates to the 18th General Assembly as part of the opening ceremony. In a truly head-turning performance, Bouroullec worked furiously, splashing white paint on the black canvas until, at the last minute, he inverted the image to reveal this portrait of Dunant.

T he M agazine o f the I nternati o nal red cross and red crescent m o vement

Guest editorial The International Red Cross and We succeed as a team – or not at all

wenty years ago, the United Na- We agreed to bolster our strategic plan- Red Crescent Movement is made up of the tions created a new humanitarian ning — focusing on collective results, with system — where governments and clear, streamlined roles in different sectors Taid agencies worldwide agreed to work (clusters) and organizations responding to International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the together to deal with the rising number the crisis. And we agreed that under this of crises. system, the leadership team would be held accountable not just for their own agency’s Two decades on, that system has saved performance, but for the entire system’s re- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent millions of lives and is more important sponse. than ever. But it is simply not working well enough — and in some cases is falling far These are significant changes. No lon- Societies (IFRC) and the National Societies. short of what is needed. The humanitar- ger will strong individual results be good ian system has to evolve and it has to do enough. We succeed as a team, or not at all. so now. Putting this into practice will not be easy.

Conflict, rising populations, rapid urban- It requires a change in mindset at all levels Photo: UN O CHA International Federation of ization, environmental degradation, water — and will lead to sensitivities and fric- Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies shortages, increasing food prices and cli- In an age of instant global tion as we make this new system work. In a mate change are leading to larger, more communications, the quality of community as diverse as ours, we need to severe and more complex emergencies capitalize on our individual strengths and The International Committee of the Red The International Federation of Red Cross National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies than ever before. our response is under growing be clear about areas for improvement. Cross is an impartial, neutral and independent and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the embody the work and principles of the organization whose exclusively humanitarian world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian International Red Cross and Red Crescent Already this year, we face crises in the Horn scrutiny, from both donors and To make this work, the role of the ICRC mission is to protect the lives and dignity of network, reaching 150 million people each year Movement in more than 188 countries. National of Africa, the Sahel, South Sudan, Sudan the people we are there to help. and IFRC members will be crucial — and victims of armed conflict and other situations of through its 187 member National Societies. Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities and Yemen — to mention just some. We their opinions will profoundly influence will almost certainly face new emergen- the way we progress. The Red Cross and violence and to provide them with assistance. Together, the IFRC acts before, during and of their own countries in the humanitarian field cies from unexpected conflicts and natural do our work. To make it better led, better Red Crescent networks boast some of the The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by after disasters and health emergencies to meet and provide a range of services including disaster disasters in the course of the year. coordinated and more accountable. most experienced and talented disaster re- promoting and strengthening humanitarian law the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable relief, health and social programmes. During sponders in the world. I hope you will share and universal humanitarian principles. Established people. It does so with impartiality as to wartime, National Societies assist the affected At the same time, humanitarian work is Our first decision was that at the onset of your expertise and play an integral part in in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class civilian population and support the army medical becoming more complex. Many more a major crisis, members of the IASC will the new response mechanism. Conventions and the International Red Cross and and political opinions. Guided by Strategy 2020 services where appropriate. organizations, from more countries and come together within 48 hours and decide Red Crescent Movement. It directs and coordinates — a collective plan of action to tackle the major more diverse backgrounds, are getting on the best way to manage the crisis. The No one expects this to be easy. It will in- involved. And in an age of instant global focus will be on supporting the leadership volve some difficult decisions and, on the international activities conducted by the humanitarian and development challenges of communications, the quality of our re- in-country. The team, headed by a humani- occasion, making compromises. As a com- Movement in armed conflicts and other situations this decade — the IFRC is committed to ‘saving sponse is under growing scrutiny, from tarian coordinator, will have the power to munity, compromise does not come easily of violence. lives and changing minds’. both donors and the people we are there take decisions, which the rest of the system to us. The core principles, which underpin to help. will abide by. our work, will guide and shape what we do and how we do it. After the 2010 emergencies in Haiti and We agreed to improve the training available Pakistan, we were accused of failing as a to our senior leaders and to do much more In an increasingly complex world, we have system. While many people were helped, at headquarters to support their work. More to work together. we fell short collectively. Many of us agreed resources, better equipped staff. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement with this assessment and decided we By Valerie Amos is guided by seven Fundamental Principles: needed to fix it. Valerie Amos is under-secretary-general and emergency Your turn relief coordinator for the United Nations Office for the humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. That is why in December 2011, members If you would like to submit an opinion article for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and is responsible for of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee consideration, please contact the magazine at rcrc@ the oversight of all emergencies requiring UN humanitarian (IASC) — a group comprising the leaders ifrc.org. All views expressed in guest editorials are assistance. She also leads the Inter-Agency Standing All Red Cross and Red Crescent activities have one central purpose: of the major humanitarian agencies — those of the author and not necessarily those of the Committee, a forum for coordination, policy and decision- to help without discrimination those who suffer and thus contribute to peace in the world. agreed to a significant shift in the way we Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or this magazine. making for UN and non-UN humanitarian partners.

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cruise ship hit rocks off Italy’s west coast in early January, killing at least Quotes of note In brief... 12 people and injuring 70 more. “If collectively we have Contents Volunteers have supplied more learned one lesson from the than 800 people with clothes, . . shelter response in Haiti, it’s ISSUE 1 2012 redcross.int Movement deplores shoes, hygiene kits, medicines killing of Syrian Red and other material. They moved the need for flexibility.” n Cover story 4 n Disaster relief 20 Crescent leader people to nearby hospitals and Xavier Genot, Movement shelter Words into action Forgotten flood provided health care for 40 of the coordinator in Haiti (see page 26) The death of Abd-al-Razzaq Jbeiro, Following the promises and commitments of the The phenomenon of forgotten disasters is not injured passengers at the Orbetello the secretary general of the Syrian “I know I can do this, I Movement’s 2011 Statutory Meetings in Geneva, the unique to developing countries. The 2011 floods in medical post. Arab Red Crescent (SARC), in early can make a success of my focus now shifts to putting words into action. How do we Minot, North Dakota in the American Midwest, are January shocked and saddened the business.” best implement international humanitarian law on the a case in point. Movement. Jbeiro was shot while Project targets malaria Marlene Lottee, 42-year-old mother ground? Our coverage starts in the Philippines, where travelling on the main Aleppo– in central Africa of three who lives in the Delmas 30 the ICRC and the Philippine Red Cross offer one model: a n Humanitarian values 22 Damascus highway in a vehicle In a desperately poor region in neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince (see comprehensive approach towards the implementation of Lessons in the sand 4. Words into action clearly marked with the Red Crescent south-eastern Central African page 26) IHL in an area of ongoing, internal conflict. One year since the crisis in Libya began, the emblem. Republic where the number one Movement continues to provide aid to thousands Both the IFRC and the ICRC called cause of death is malaria, violent “The difference you make n Statutory Meetings 10 of vulnerable people still living in limbo in camps on all those involved in violence in acts committed by some weapon can be small, and it can take Syria to respect the mission of the bearers have made the delivery of Words of change at the Libyan–Tunisian border. What have been Red Crescent, which is to aid and health care extremely precarious. time, but you can make a More than 2,000 people came to Geneva, Switzerland some of the key lessons learned? The Tunisian Red assist people in need in a neutral Since September 2011, the difference.” in November to help set the course for future Crescent’s Hafedh Ben Miled offers the insights of a Photo: Nathalie Bonvin/IFRC and impartial manner. The SARC’s ICRC has been carrying out a pilot Jakob Kellenberger, ICRC president humanitarian action during the Movement’s 2011 volunteer who has worked on the front lines since Sahel faces imminent president has submitted an official project in Obo in order to tackle (see page 24) Statutory Meetings. Youth leaders, for example, used the beginning. hunger crisis request to the Syrian authorities to the health-care problem despite the occasion to push for a greater role in humanitarian investigate the killing. these constraints. The project aims Many countries across the Sahel abuse to financial exploitation, decision-making, while the Movement and states n Interview 24 In a joint letter to the SARC’s to diagnose the disease at the first will soon experience a major food neglect and abandonment. agreed on several vital resolutions to enhance Changing times, big challenges president, the IFRC’s president, sign of symptoms, administer anti- crisis if urgent measures are not In Serbia, which has one of the humanitarian access, protection of vulnerable people As Jakob Kellenberger prepares to step down after 10. Words of change Tadateru Konoé, and secretary malarial drugs and provide medical taken now to mitigate the effects oldest populations in Europe (15.4 and delivery of aid. 12 years as president of ICRC this year, Red Cross general, Bekele Geleta, wrote: “The care throughout the treatment – all of declining rainfall and a 25 per per cent of inhabitants are over loss of such an experienced and without cost to the patient. The Red Crescent magazine asked him to reflect on the cent drop in food production, as the age of 65), the Red Cross of committed Red Crescent leader in programme has already shown that n Focus 14 challenges and the achievements of the past 12 years, well as higher food prices. The Serbia has developed a home-care the course of his humanitarian duties early treatment drastically reduces “People live here” as well as his concerns and hopes for the future of most affected countries are likely programme to sensitize and educate is hard to bear… Our Movement is the mortality rate. On a brick wall in Grozny, Chechnya, a faded, spray- humanitarian action. to be Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, volunteers and the general public greatly diminished by his passing.” Mauritania, Niger and northern about discrimination and abuse. painted message — perhaps dating back to the Beatrice Megevand-Roggo, head Senegal. “The harvest was bad and Working to prevent One of the most active Red Cross years of war in the 1990s — shouts a warning to n Natural disaster 26 of ICRC operations for the Near there is already a food shortage,” elderly abuse branches is in Kragujevac, where 13 combatants: “People live here”. It’s a plea from The promise of shelter and Middle East, said that the ICRC said Salif Sy, who decided to According to the World Health older volunteers work on a telephone those within to be spared from the battle raging Two years after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, condemned attacks on vehicles leave his village with his wife Organization, between 4 and 6 helpline to assist their vulnerable outside. Though the intense fighting of the 1990s has thousands of families have been supported to leave carrying the Red Crescent emblem without deciding on a particular per cent of older people have peers and neighbours in solving subsided, the message is as pertinent as ever. camps, kick-start livelihoods and send their children regardless of the circumstances. “The destination. “We will try to look for experienced some form of abuse many of the problems they may to school. Nearly half a million vulnerable people are 20. Forgotten flood lack of respect for medical services is and move to areas with water and in their own homes, ranging from encounter including issues of health still a great issue in Syria,” she said. n Disaster response 18 still living under canvas, plagued by violence, rain and grazing in order to save our cattle, physical, sexual and psychological care, welfare, poverty and abuse. Humanity 2.0 floods and the threat of eviction. For these people, the only resource left to us now.” Red Cross Red Crescent magazine talks with digital what happened to the promises of support and the The IFRC launched an emergency Italian Red Cross humanitarian Patrick Meier about the evolving billions of dollars raised? appeal in January and allocated responds to capsized ship emergency disaster relief funds Roughly 250 Italian Red Cross staff intersection between new technologies and while the ICRC also continued to and volunteers took part in a rescue humanitarian response. n Resources 29 provide a variety of emergency and relief operation at the site of the food and health relief services. capsized liner Costa Concordia. The Articles, letters to the editors and other correspondence We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of researchers and should be addressed to: support staff of the ICRC, the IFRC and National Societies. Red Cross Red Crescent The magazine is published three times a year in Arabic, Chinese, P.O. Box 372, CH-1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland English, French, Russian and Spanish and is available in 188 Humanitarian index E-mail: [email protected] ISSN No. 1019-9349 countries, with a circulation of more than 80,000. 22. Lessons in the sand provided with ‘improved shelter’ 8:23: Minutes and seconds taken Editor The opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily at the General Assembly to read solutions by the Red Cross Red Malcolm Lucard of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. the role call of attending National Crescent since the January 2010 Production Officer Unsolicited articles are welcomed, but cannot be returned. Societies, from Afghanistan to earthquake in Haiti. Paul Lemerise Red Cross Red Crescent reserves the right to edit all articles. Articles Zimbabwe. Design and photos not covered by copyright may be reprinted without prior 500,000: Estimated number of Photo: O livier Matthys/IFRC Baseline Arts Ltd, Oxford, UK permission. Please credit Red Cross Red Crescent. 131: Number of National Societies people currently living in Port-au- Layout The maps in this publication are for information purposes only and that attended the Movement’s 2011 Prince camps for people displaced Malnutrition in the wake of floods High levels of malnutrition among the flood-affected communities of Pakistan’s Sindh province remains New Internationalist, Oxford, UK have no political significance. Statutory Meetings in Geneva in by the 2010 quake. one of the most challenging humanitarian problems, confirm doctors working with the Pakistan Red Printed November. 735,000: Number of times three Crescent Society. on chlorine-free paper by Swissprinters Lausanne SA, Switzerland TEDxRC² talks were viewed during 377: Number of pledges made According to a survey conducted before the floods by the Sindh Department of Health and the United Editorial board the first two months after they were ICRC IFRC On the cover: Design, New Internationalist. Photos: IFRC by National Societies during the Nations Children’s Fund, acute malnutrition rates in the province reached 22.9 per cent in the north and 21.2 posted on line. To see the talks, visit: Yasmine Praz Dessimoz Andy Channelle Statutory Meetings. per cent in the south. These rates are well above the World Health Organization’s 15 per cent emergency www.youtube.com/tedxtalks Dorothea Krimitsas Alison Freebairn 26. The promise of shelter 25,000: Number of Haitian families threshold, which triggers a humanitarian response. Florian Westphal Jason Smith

2 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 3 hen the presidents of the ICRC and IFRC, Jakob Kellenberger and Tadateru Konoé, Wwelcomed the 1,700-plus delegates from around the world to the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in November 2011, they stressed the importance of following through on the promises made at the meeting in Geneva. “Declarations of intent will never be sufficient to save lives and protect human dignity,” Kellenberger said in his speech. Konoé continued the theme, calling on governments to support National Societies in following through on pledges made and resolutions passed at the gathering. “No government, no matter how strong, can hope to do everything,” he said. “By strengthening its National Society, more can be achieved, particularly in support of marginalized groups which can be difficult to reach through official means.” The International Conference concluded with the adoption of resolutions on a wide scope of topics: health care in danger, migration, implementing the memorandum of understanding between the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom in Israel, international disaster law, health-care inequities, the four- year action plan for international humanitarian law (IHL), National Society and volunteering development, and strengthening legal protection for victims of armed conflicts. With those key resolutions passed and 377 pledges made by National Societies on topics ranging from disaster law to road safety and first aid, attention now focuses on how to put these promises into action. For inspiration, we turn to the Philippines where Putting words into action the National Society and the ICRC are working t’s 07:30 in the morning in Cotabato City, Cen- When everyone is seated, two ICRC staff A( lbert L The ongoing conflict in the together to implement IHL in the country’s In the jungles, schools, tral Mindanao, the Philippines. A beautiful day, Madrazo and Jeffrey Michael Sison) begin a presen- Philippines has caused numerous ongoing internal conflicts. While the Philippine and in a very beautiful part of the world: blue tation on international humanitarian law, or IHL as it’s challenges for humanitarian Red Cross and the ICRC are implementing the barracks and legislative halls of the assistance and protection — as Iskies, sunshine, coconut palms. known for short. It is an energetic, imaginative and humanitarian laws already on the books, their well as for compliance with Philippines, Movement and external But this is also a troubled part of the world: the engaging run through the rules, which every soldier international humanitarian collaboration offers lessons on how to work Philippines has suffered decades of conflict between is supposed to know: the need to protect civilians, law. Outbreaks of fighting have with various sectors over a long period to partners take a comprehensive approach government forces and various armed groups. The the need to distinguish combatants from non-com- displaced thousands and made follow through on challenging humanitarian violence has, over the years, cost an estimated batants, the treatment of prisoners, etc. access difficult. Above, an ICRC commitments. to applying the letter and spirit of delegate assists displaced people 150,000 lives, and Mindanao has been one of the Sessions like these are run by the ICRC in conflict Our coverage continues with the next steps for on the southern Philippine island international humanitarian law. worst-affected regions. zones all over the world. Rebel forces and regular ar- of Mindanao in September 2008, international disaster response law, the protection This morning in Cotabato, men serving in the mies alike are reminded that war has rules and they following fighting between of medical workers and patients in conflict, a call Philippine Marine Corps are gathering outside their must be followed. government troops and Muslim from youth at the General Assembly, and other barracks. A makeshift tent has been erected to pro- In the Philippines, it’s gone well beyond simply separatist rebels. words of inspiration and action from the 2011 vide shade over rows of chairs. sessions and reminders. Despite, or even because Photo: AFP PHOTO/Jes Aznar Statutory Meetings.

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of, its long internal armed conflicts, this country has “My job is to ensure Colonel Tutaan is enthusiastic, and keen to dem- been making considerable strides to promote the that the soldiers onstrate his devotion to his job. His business card, ideals of IHL and, even though there are still chal- which he hands over lenges, to ensure that they are not only discussed, understand not only with a flourish, contains but practised. that they should not just his name and The Philippines has ratified more IHL-related contact details, but the treaties including the Geneva Conventions and comply, but that words: “I am a soldier, I its Additional Protocols, than any other country in they understand am a guardian of human South-East Asia, and, in 2009, passed a radical new why they should rights.” His office is full of piece of legislation, known as Republic Act (RA) 9851 posters, pamphlets and (or Philippine Act on Crimes against International comply.” books promoting IHL, Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Colonel Domingo Tutaan Jr., many of them produced Against Humanity), incorporating many of the obli- head of the IHL and human with technical advice gations of IHL into domestic law. rights section of the Armed and financial support What’s more, across society, from the judiciary Forces of the Philippines from the ICRC. to educational institutions to the armed forces, IHL “My job,” he explains, programmes are being introduced with energetic “is to ensure that the soldiers understand not only L ICRC delegates Albert Madrazo tions for those who take part. “Just two years [after the support from the Philippine Red Cross and the ICRC. that they should comply, but that they understand and Jeffrey Michael Sison bring the competition], I was talking to security forces in Mind- why they should comply.” message of IHL to members of the anao about IHL,” says Ocampo, who was working for Philippine marine corps stationed in Colonel Tutaan freely admits that the armed forces a government human-rights agency at the time. “At Soldier and guardian Cotobato, Mindanao. In the capital Manila, Colonel Domingo Tutaan Jr. do not have an unblemished record. “Because of the Photo: Cynthia Lee/ICRC first I got the feeling they thought, ‘This guy is too is a busy man. He is in charge of the international K A member of the Philippines’ history that we have,” he says, “with a long period l Colonel Domingo Tutaan Jr., young, why is he trying to tell me what to do in an humanitarian law and human rights section of the largest Islamic rebel group, Moro of martial law, something was tainted… something head of the IHL and human rights armed conflict’, but then they became very receptive. Armed Forces of the Philippines and, as such, is re- Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), was needed to restore relations with the public.” section of the Philippine armed “I really feel I have been able to influence the con- stands guard during peace talks forces. Photo: Allison Lopez/ICRC sponsible for ensuring that every soldier knows IHL The colonel clearly sees IHL promotion not just as flict situation.” in Mindanao in 2008. The ICRC J Bai Fatima Sinsuat, chairwoman and applies it in the field. maintains contact and discusses a moral imperative, but as strategically smart. “We of the Cotobato chapter of the Nevertheless, both young men believe there is As a state institution, the armed forces perform IHL with all armed groups and think our work [with IHL] could help bring an end Philippine Red Cross. a long way to go before their country can truly say duties in conflict and other situations of violence some experts say they’ve seen to the conflict,” he claims. “It’s not defeating the Photo: Imogen Foulkes/IFRC that implementation, let alone compliance, of IHL, is involving both IHL and human-rights issues. Es- awareness of IHL grow in recent enemy, it’s winning the peace.” really working. sentially, these are distinct but complementary years. In 2006, for example, MILF Part of the strategy of the armed forces involves “Yes they [the military] are very open to talking amended its rules of engagement domains: IHL being applicable during armed con- appointing an officer in charge of IHL, usually the Meanwhile Jean-Daniel Tauxe, head of the ICRC about IHL,” says Ocampo. “But whether or not they to incorporate key IHL principles. flict; human rights being applicable during both Photo: Reuters/Romeo Ranocco, second in command, in every unit and battalion. delegation in the Philippines, views the law as the are actually doing it, that’s another story.” peace and armed conflict. courtesy www.alertnet.org Their job is to monitor implementation and compli- “latest success” in the promotion of IHL in the coun- This question is one reason many are watching ance, and to report violations. These, in theory, can try, but believes more needs to be done to raise closely to see how effectively the country’s new IHL then be prosecuted under the new RA 9851 law. awareness. Here again, the ICRC and the Philip- law will be implemented. A leading expert on IHL So far, however, RA 9851 remains untested, al- pine Red Cross are active. IHL training sessions for and human rights in the Philippines, Harry Roque though Colonel Tutaan insists he is “praying for” lawyers, prosecutors and judges are being set up, says there is “a lot of room for improvement” in this a viable case to take to court. He has two in mind: working together with the national bar association, regard. one involving alleged violations committed by the the Department of Justice, and the official agency The Philippines, he says, has been “good in terms military during an interrogation, the other over the that trains the judiciary. of ratifying IHL treaties”. The primary challenge now, death of soldiers, allegedly killed after they had One of the most successful awareness-raising with RA 9851 only recently enacted, is that “the ex- been captured, by an armed group. But so far, he projects is a programme involving young law stu- isting criminal justice system does not appear to be says, witnesses and victims are either not available, dents around the country. At an annual competition, effective in implementing the duty to investigate, or remain reluctant to come forward. they argue hypothetical cases involving the applica- “We want to show prosecute and punish those who will commit seri- tion of IHL. Christopher Louis Ocampo and Daniel we can do this on our ous violations of IHL”. On our own Siegfried Corpuz, both aged 26 and in their final year own. The Philippines As an example, Roque cites the case of a former Nevertheless, RA 9851 remains, on paper at least, a of law studies in Manila, are successful participants: general accused by human rights groups of having al- very strong piece of legislation, which, if used, could they won the competition in 2008. can punish violators legedly ordered serious violations of IHL — targeted hold IHL violators to account, and encourage com- “We debated all sorts of things,” remembers right here at home, killings of civilians — and who has not yet been ar- pliance. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Ocampo, “such as whether a general can be held li- it doesn’t need rested and prosecuted. At the time this magazine Red Cross and a former senator in the Philippine able for war crimes committed under his command. went to press, that general was still a fugitive, charged Congress, played an instrumental role in getting the Or what level of destruction of cultural property is to take them to in connection with a case of enforced disappearance. law passed. excessive.” the International Likewise, Roque says, members of armed groups “We want to show we can implement IHL on our “We were really able to hone our skill,” agrees have not been prosecuted for alleged violations of own,” he explains. “The Philippines can punish the Corpuz. Criminal Court.” IHL that have been reported in the media. violators right here at home, it doesn’t need to take The moot court competition, which now includes Richard Gordon, chairman of While none have so far been prosecuted under them to the International Criminal Court.” 19 participating universities, has practical applica- the Philippine Red Cross RA 9851, a number of them have been arrested, de-

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are sceptical about RA 9851, regarding it as a piece of “We are not going to win this war with our rifles,” legislation which is only ever likely to be used against More he says, “but with discipline, courage and humour.” them. “It’s only the military that will be punished,” In the end, the commitment of Colonel Tutaan, or says one. “Not the other side.” about IHL of young law students like Ocompo and Corpuz, to- “In combat we do uphold IHL. We do comply,” in- To read more about the IHL gether with the awareness-raising work done by the sists another who feels that the other side may not. resolution passed at the 31st ICRC and the Philippine Red Cross, may combine with Nevertheless most seem convinced by the argu- International Conference, two other ever-present factors in the Philippines — ment, made by Colonel Tutaan, that upholding IHL visit: www.redcross.int weariness and grief — to promote peace. is a good strategy, which will encourage trust in the For more about IHL and “We are tired of fighting,” admits one command- local population and, in the long run, help facilitate armed groups, see the ing officer in Cotabato. Meanwhile Bai FatimaS insuat, peace. forthcoming edition of the now 73 years old, is preparing for another day of Red The battalion’s commanding officer, Lieutenant International Review of the Cross work, doing a job she would much rather not Colonel Dorotheo Jalandoni, echoes Colonel Tutaan Red Cross (Vol. 93, No. 882): do, visiting the bereaved family of someone killed in when he says that the military has ”matured”. Understanding armed groups the violence. “Every time we plan any action,” he says, “respect and the applicable law. “This war has given us so much pain,” she says. for human rights and the rule of law are there.” “This dirty, ugly war.” n And back in the headquarters in Manila, Colonel Tutaan himself remains buoyant, fuelled by his con- By Imogen Foulkes viction that implementing and complying with IHL Imogen Foulkes is the BBC’s United Nations correspondent based in will bring peace closer. Geneva, Switzerland. tained and sentenced under domestic law for acts L Members of the 6th Infantry Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army signed linked to the armed conflicts. Division of the Marine Corps of an agreement to respect IHL and human rights, as well the Philippines review materials as jointly monitor compliance. handed out during an ICRC briefing Fear of violence And in 2006, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is- Years of conflict at a glance on IHL. Photo: Didier Revol/ICRC Back in Cotabato city, fear of violence remains ever sued General Order No. 2, which amended the armed Internal armed conflicts have persisted in the The government remains positive in its continuing has more than 100 chapters, 30 of which are in the present among local people. Bai Fatima Sinsuat, chair- group’s rules of engagement to incorporate key IHL Philippines for decades, causing cycles of dialogue with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but Mindanao region. woman of the Cotabato chapter of the Philippine Red principles. displacement, fear and stunted economic growth. a peace deal has yet to be seen. In 2008, hundreds Work in conflict zones often puts ICRC staff and Cross, has lost several members of her family, includ- “All around the world, the ICRC also promotes IHL The Philippines currently hosts two very distinct of thousands of people were displaced in central PRC volunteers in danger. The most recent reminder ing her youngest son and her sister, to violence over to armed groups, but in very practical terms, there battlefronts, pitting the national armed forces Mindanao due to renewed fighting sparked by the of this came in February, when PRC volunteer Benny the years. are obviously more difficulties in accessing them against secessionism by a Moro group and also a aborted signing of an agreement that would have Balmediano was killed by an explosion after rushing Central Mindanao, in particular, is a troubled region compared to state armed forces,” explains Tauxe. Communist insurgency said to be one of the longest- created a sub-state for the Bangsamoro people, the to help victims during an attack in Kidapawan City. with complex situations of violence. Aside from the two “Their leadership structures are also not as defined running in the world. native inhabitants of Mindanao. While most of the ICRC and PRC representatives deplored the death internal armed conflicts, frequent disputes between as those of the government forces, which means Last year, peace negotiations restarted on both affected families have returned or settled elsewhere, and called on all parties to protect humanitarian clans, locally called ridos, almost always turn bloody, af- that it is not easy to ensure directives given at the conflicts, but formal talks between the Philippine many have yet to fully recover from the 2008 hostilities. workers. The volunteer’s son Bryan said: “My father fecting huge parts of the population. Criminal activities top echelon will trickle down to all the units.” government and the New People’s Army (NPA) — The ICRC has worked in the Philippines for was my idol. His loving memory will always be my such as abduction and politically motivated killings are “In the Philippines, however, we are slowly gaining the armed wing of the Communist Party of the more than 50 years, carrying out a broad range of inspiration to remain committed to the humanitarian a source of further insecurity and lack of development ground thanks to the work of our teams in the field Philippines — have since halted. Clashes between humanitarian activities to assist and protect those mission of the Red Cross.” in a region rich with minerals and oil. and the ICRC’s continuing dialogue with all parties to government troops and NPA members continue in affected by the armed conflict. K Throughout the years of conflict, civilians have suffered Sinsuat, who started with the Red Cross in 1974 as a the conflicts,” he says. the countryside, claiming lives on both sides and The National Association of the Red Cross, which enormously. Residents carry their belongings as they flee blood donor and volunteer, says that now, the effects disrupting the lives and livelihoods of civilians, who would later become the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), during one period of intense fighting in 2008. of the conflict are what occupy much of her time. Respecting the law sometimes get caught in the cross fire. began operating in 1899. Today, the National Society Photo: REUTERS/stringer Philippines, courtesy www.alertnet.org She claims that the military, who are present in Cota- This is an issue which, unsurprisingly, is on the minds of bato in large numbers, have in the past been guilty of the young marines taking part in the ICRC’s IHL session. abuses, and suggests that some local people “when Many have lost colleagues in the conflict and many are ICRC delegation LUZON they see the military here, they don’t trust them”. “We are slowly of the opinion that the armed groups they are fighting ICRC sub-delegation PACIFIC Nevertheless she welcomes the efforts to pro- gaining ground show little or no respect for IHL. Some feel their oppo- ICRC office OCEAN mote IHL being made within the Philippine armed nents encourage violations as a way to instil fear. forces. “I think they have changed a little,” she says. thanks to the work When, at the end of their presentation, Madrazo Manila But, she points out, the armed forces are just one side of our teams in the and Sison ask for questions, the first thing the Ma- SOUTH of the story. For IHL to be respected, the armed groups rines want to know is whether the ICRC takes its IHL CHINA MINDORO field and the ICRC’s SEA need to comply too. message to the armed groups as well. There is a rip- At various times, in fact, the armed groups involved continuing dialogue ple of reassurance as Madrazo explains that yes, the Tacloban in the country’s two separate, ongoing internal armed with all parties to ICRC has contact with all those participating in the VISAYAS PHILIPPINES conflicts have both made public and political commit- the conflicts.” conflict, and that the message about IHL is always ments to their obligations under IHL. exactly the same.

In 1998, the Philippine government and the Na- Jean-Daniel Tauxe, head of But, after the presentation, some soldiers admit SULU MINDANAO tional Democratic Front of the Philippines, Communist delegation, ICRC Philippines they feel “constrained” by the rules of IHL and some SEA Cotabato Zamboanga | | . 8 Red Cross Red Crescent ISSUE 1 2012 BASILAN Davao SULU CELEBES MALAYSIA SEA Movement gathers for 2011 Statutory The promise of youth Meetings in Geneva ecent world events give power- ticular challenges seem to be in the fields Words of Rful evidence of the power of youth to of youth leadership and the involvement hen the Movement’s 2011 Statu- effect social change. But are we as a Move- of youth in decision-making; too often, Wtory Meetings kicked off in Geneva ment doing enough to give young people youth are given promises but not the real in November, it took more than eight min- not just a voice, but also a role in making power to influence,” noted the report. utes to complete the roll call of attendees decisions and determining the course of Osborne-Moses encouraged more — as representatives from Afghanistan to change their National Societies? National Societies to sign the pledge Zimbabwe declared their presence at the of speeches and The answer from some young committing to greater inclusion and in- IFRC General Assembly. ‘interventions’ — com- people attending the confer- volvement of youth, and urged those who Volunteers and staff from 131 National ments from National ence was: “No, not enough.” have signed the pledge to follow up. Societies had come from around the world Societies and states on National Societies and the “The primary role of National Socie- to take part in the Statutory Meetings, the resolutions and reports up IFRC have done a lot to en- ties is now to follow through on whatever held in a conference centre in the heart of for consideration — drafting com- courage youth leadership and commitments or pledges or whatever the same city where Dunant and Moynier mittees in other rooms were working foster regional youth networks since agreements we make,” she said. founded what is now the International Red feverishly to craft resolutions in a language young volunteers signed the Solferino In the Middle East and North Africa, Cross and Red Crescent Movement. that all parties could agree on. Youth Declaration three years ago. where the power of youth has been on full “We feel great, like we finally made it,” said Some of the more memorable moments But more must be done, said Ashanta display during the past year, Amal Emem, Ibrahim Shafeeg, attending his first assembly came when speakers made impassioned Osborne-Moses, chair of the IFRC’s Youth a young volunteer with the Egyptian Red as president of the newly-recognized Maldi- pleas on issues where there was not Commission and manager of the Guy- Crescent, said her National Society includes vian Red Crescent, which had just officially agreement or when they brought a fresh ana Red Cross’s HIV/AIDS programme. a youth member on the governing board. become the 187th member of the IFRC. “We perspective that challenged and inspired Among other things, the Youth Commis- “And in every branch of our National So- will go forward faster and full of confidence. the humanitarians assembled in Geneva to sion has been busy building ciety, we have a youth representative who We are very proud to be a part of the family.” do better. regional youth networks and has the same rights in voting, decision- By the time the final meeting, the In- “As volunteers, we are like warriors,” said developing an IFRC-wide making and in expressing the ideas and ternational Conference, had begun five General Assembly keynote speaker João youth policy, which was visions of youth,” she said. days later, more than 2,000 people had Brites, a Portuguese hip-hop dancer from approved at the General As- “Yet, as youth, we never say, ‘this is assembled at what has become the larg- Lisbon who uses his talents to lead inner- sembly in November. enough’,” she continued. “As we demand est humanitarian gathering in the world. city youth away from violence and crime. The commission also more, we have a big responsibility to prove They were there to do what Movement del- “We fight criminality, we fight social ex- presented a report to the we deserve this role. We must be able to egates have done for more than a century: clusion, we fight drug addiction, we fight assembly that called for a take a step backwards at the right time, shape the course of humanitarian action discrimination. We fight so many things greater leadership role for and let other youth leaders take a step for- and strengthen the policies and legal pro- and yet we hold no guns.” young humanitarians. “Par- ward so we can empower each other.” n tections that make the work of saving lives Brites challenged Movement leaders and protecting vulnerable people possible. to see youth differently, suggesting that J Art in action: Young dancers from the world- Many of the attendees were old hands, many humanitarian organizations shy renowned Rudra Béjart School opened the 31st having been to the Nairobi General Assem- away from youth due to negative, gen- International Conference with an interpretation of the seven Fundamental Principles. A good act to follow bly and Council of Delegates in 2009 or to erational stereotypes. Pulling the hood j Amal Emam of the Egyptian Red Crescent Society prior statutory meetings. For newcomers, of his sweatshirt — his ‘hoody’ — over his makes a point during a session of the General hether mobilizing an interna- help them use the IFRC’s International Disas- the formal manner of address, the many head, he asked if this simple change to his Assembly. Wtional emergency response — the ter Law Guidelines in crafting or improving speeches and the at-times obtuse legal appearance would prejudice those in the k Ibrahim Shafeeg, president of the newly-recognized 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the massive floods domestic disaster legislation before any po- language of the resolutions — recogniz- room against him. Maldivian Red Crescent. Photos: IFRC in Pakistan — or responding to smaller do- tential international disaster response. ing this and taking note of that — seemed “With the hat on — do you see a mestic crises, the laws and regulations that The model act was unveiled by the IFRC, somewhat abstract compared to the day- change-maker or a troublemaker?” he govern imports, health care and land own- the United Nations Office for the Coor- to-day reality back at home or in the field. asked. “My ques- ership can either hinder or assist disaster dination of Humanitarian Affairs and the But there was also palpable excitement tion for you is: how response and recovery. Inter-Parliamentary Union, after some two as delegates met with colleagues, lobbied many of you in your The global effort to improve these sys- years of consultations with legal and disas- for their causes, attended workshops rel- National Society tems took a major step forward at the 31st ter management experts. evant to their work or voiced support or are running away International Conference when delegates “We are well aware that no one model objection to matters before the assembly, from the solutions, adopted a resolution that calls on states to can fit all needs,” noted David Fisher, the conference or the Council of Delegates. thinking that peo- Words to action strengthen the legal preparedness for inter- coordinator of the IFRC’s Disaster Law What is your plan for putting the pledges and ple are a part of the national and domestic disaster response. Programme. “But this can serve as a con- resolutions of the 2011 Statutory Meetings into action? Words to inspire problem when, in National Societies and states eager to put venient starting point as governments What are the biggest obstacles? We’d like to know for As delegates listened through their fact, they are part this resolution into action now have a new begin the complicated task of developing our future articles. Send to: [email protected] headsets to translations of the hundreds of the solution?” n tool at their disposal: a ‘model act’ that can new laws.” n

10 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 11 Quotes of note from the 2011 Statutory Meetings Reaching migrants Making care “We have spent more time “The transformation of our focusing on why we should not society poses many challenges, on the margin talk to others, than finding but with support from the s the number of people on the move At the 31st International Conference, out how we talk to others. But Movement, we will meet those Ain today’s world continues to rise, the states and National Societies agreed to safe for all now, as we prepare to talk, we challenges.” humanitarian challenge of accessing and improve humanitarian access to these assisting those migrants is also expanding. communities and acknowledged “the im- Mark Akio, interim chairman of the n passing the resolution ‘Health Care The Movement also has responsibilities understand how little we know.” Legal, social and cultural barriers add portance of respect for the human dignity South Sudan Red Cross. Iin Danger: Respecting and Protecting under the resolution. National Societies, Jonas Gahr Støre, Norwegian foreign minister to the challenge of accessing and assist- and protection of all migrants”. Health Care’, the International Red Cross the ICRC and the IFRC must continue “sup- (also a former Norwegian Red Cross secretary ing these highly marginalized National Societies, based on the princi- and Red Crescent Movement set the stage porting and strengthening the capacity of general) speaking at the TEDxRC2 event on why individuals, who often enjoy ples of humanity and impartiality, have a for addressing what some have called “one local health-care facilities and personnel nations need to initiate dialogue with their little access to health care, edu- role to play “in consultation with the pub- of the biggest and yet most overlooked around the world and to continue pro- adversaries during conflict. cation and employment. Often, lic authorities, in providing humanitarian humanitarian problems today” — the on- viding training those who assist them run afoul assistance to vulnerable migrants irrespec- going threat to health-care workers and and instruction for of immigration laws. tive of their legal status”. n those seeking medical attention during health-care staff and times of conflict. volunteers”. The resolution calls on parties to con- Support for the flict to live up to their “obligations to resolution was Equity equals respect and protect the wounded and strong, with numer- “What amazes me about the sick, as well as health-care personnel and ous delegates making Movement is that you can be a facilities and medical vehicles, and to take passionate testimony all reasonable measures to ensure safe about the grave big National Society or you can better health and prompt access for the wounded and threats to health care in their countries. L Inside the Health Care in Danger tent be a small one, but you have the overty, power imbalances tion adopted during the International sick to health care, in times of armed con- Still, there was considerable debate as at the 31st International Conference. Photo: ICRC Pbetween men and women, and dis- Conference. flict or other emergencies”. some states expressed concern about as- same rights and responsibilities crimination are just a few factors that The resolution strongly encourages “Physical rehabilitation is a Attention now turns to the hard work of pects of the resolution during the drafting to take part in decisions and to can prevent people from getting the care states and National Societies to work to- engaging with governments and armed process. priority. Dignity cannot wait for they need. gether in providing health-care services, assist the vulnerable.” groups to be sure these fundamental con- National Societies wanted to make it better times.” More must be done by states, National promoting health knowledge and ensuring cepts are respected. Much of that follow-up clear that they have a role to play in other L Niki Rattle, volunteer nurse and secretary Societies and other actors to break down gender equality and non-discrimination in is described in the resolution itself, which situations of violence and there was also K Alberto Cairo, head of ICRC’s orthopaedic general of the Cook Islands Red Cross, who served these barriers, according to key resolu- terms of access to those services. n serves as an action plan of sorts, advising a small group of countries that felt the department in Afghanistan, speaking at the as chair of the 31st International Conference. 2 states to intensity their efforts to “adopt Movement needed to be more precise TEDxRC event. Photo: IFRC Photo: ICRC the required domestic implementation about what was meant by ‘other situations measures based on relevant international of violence’, a term used when referring to Volunteering in legal obligations”. situations such as intense urban or com- The resolution also calls on them to munal violence, or other hostilities that ensure respect for the red cross and red don’t meet the definition of armed conflict emergencies crescent emblems by adopting, where ap- covered under international humanitarian propriate, “the legal measures, including law (IHL). olunteering is not just a ques- asked to strengthen humanitarian action enforcement measures, pertinent to the A few countries also felt that the Move- “Vtion of money, competence or through volunteer development, improved use and the protection of the distinctive ment might be on some type of ‘mission expertise,” said Olivier Haringanji, a volun- legal protection and by ensuring safe ac- emblems recognized by the Geneva Con- creep’ or trying to extend the field of teer and national youth coordinator for the cess for Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers ventions and their Additional Protocols”. applicability of IHL to situations out- Burundi Red Cross. “It is also a question of to all vulnerable groups. side armed conflict. But that is not the belief and a spirit of humanity.” “This recognition by government is the Investigate and prosecute intention, said ICRC President Jakob Kel- Nonetheless, during his address as a key to making the passion of volunteers The resolution also calls on states to lenberger. keynote speaker who opened the 31st contagious and making the society better “ensure effective investigations and pros- “It is not in our humanitarian interests,” International Conference, Haringanji ech- prepared for emergencies,” said Harin- ecution of crimes committed against he noted. “In fact, for us, it’s perfect if in- oed the call for better protection, support ganji. n health-care personnel… and to cooperate ternational human rights law is applicable, and development for volunteers, many of to this end, in conformity with their inter- as well as national law, because interna- whom risk their lives daily to help others. national obligations, at inter-state level tional human rights law often protects That call was embodied in a resolution Words to action For more about the resolutions passed and the next and with international criminal tribunals people better than international humani- adopted by the conference in which Na- steps, visit our website at www.redcross.int and courts”. tarian law.” n tional Societies and governments were

12 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 13

K This 6-year-old Ingushetian boy holds a photo of his father, a plumber and an alleged member of the armed opposition who was killed by Focus security forces in 2010. Mahomet and his brother are now being raised by their 70-year-old great aunt, the mother having left the family. The family received a cow, clothes and financial assistance from the ICRC. On a brick wall in Grozny, Chechnya, a faded, spray- painted message — perhaps dating back to the years of war in the 1990s — shouts a warning to combatants: “People live here”. It’s a plea from those within to be spared from the battle raging outside. Though the intense fighting of the 1990s has subsided, the message is as pertinent as ever. Over the past few years, this region of the Russian Federation has been plagued by violence between armed opposition groups and local and federal authorities. These sombre black-and-white images, taken by ICRC’s Marko Kokic, speak to the chronic pain, poverty and fear of people living in the shadow of conflict and violence. “People live here” K The Transcaucasian Highway is a mountain road that crosses the Greater Caucasus, connecting North Ossetia with South Ossetia and Russia with Georgia. The ICRC often takes the highway during missions, bringing medical care, providing information on missing family members and helping people develop livelihoods. J This forty-nine-year-old woman was a street cleaner before she suffered a stroke and became bedridden two years ago. Too young to collect a pension, she receives instant meals, bread and sugar from the ICRC, which is working to obtain a disability pension for her. A picture of her only son — killed during the 1989-1992 South Ossetian conflict — adorns the bare wall over her bed at the Turbaza collective centre in Tskhinvali, South Ossetia. The centre houses 43 displaced Ossetian families.

I In Shuani, a village in Chechnya in the Russian Federation, this 55-year-old woman tends to cucumbers that she raises in a greenhouse provided through an ICRC microeconomic initiative. The work, she says, helps her forget, for just a little while, about her two sons, who were abducted in the middle of the night in 2003 and have been missing ever since.

14 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 15

Focus

J Lack of access to regular health care is a perennial hardship in the region. Many elderly people, such as the 80-year-old South Ossetian woman pictured here, fend for themselves with little outside assistance. Fortunately, the local health post, where the elderly woman goes to have her blood pressure tested and receive medication, was recently renovated. The ICRC also helps her with food parcels.

Russia

Ingushetia CASPIAN SEA North Chechnya Ossetia South Ossetia BLACK SEA Georgia

K In Tskhinvali, in South Ossetia, the Turbaza collective centre houses 43 families Turkey Armenia Azerbaijan — all Ossetian displaced during the first South Ossetian conflict (1989-1992).

L An ICRC field cooperation officer listens to an 83-year-old beneficiary of a Russian Red Cross home nursing programme in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya in the Russian Federation. Her home was destroyed during the Chechen war, and her neighbours hid her in the basement to spare her from being killed for being a Russian.

I The cranes and newly built skyscrapers that adorn the skyline of Grozny are a sign that after years of warfare, the capital hopes to rebuild and reinvent itself. The city’s main mosque, constructed by Turkish architects and builders in 2008, is said to be the largest in Europe and can hold up to 10,000 people.

16 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 17 Patrick Meier speaks Virtual volunteering on how internet and To learn more, read Patrick Meier’s blog at: http://irevolution.net communications technology Humanitarian For National Societies or volunteers who want to get involved, can help humanitarians save go to: http://blog.standbytaskforce.com Photo: Ushahidi lives in the field. action 2.0 “I am passionate nce upon a time, the internet was a relatively We know that the first responders in Haiti, in this As more people get involved passive place. The World Wide Web served case the US Coast Guard and the Marine Corps, ac- in crowd-sourcing, is about finding for- mainly as a window through which people tively requested and used this information for their there a danger of raising Osought information. Now, the internet is far more in- own search-and-rescue efforts. expectations of the people profit commercial teractive — Web 2.0, as this evolving digital platform In the case of the Libyan crisis map, we know it was who are sending in data or applications is sometimes called, can serve as a collaborative work- used in official United Nations OCHA [Office for the reports? that can aid space where knowledge, data and experience can be Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] information Any type of humanitarian in- humanitarian shared by anyone, anywhere, any time. After the 2010 products that were being circulated in Libya by UN tervention is going to raise Haiti earthquake, for example, Patrick Meier and other information officers. Now the UN, or anyone using expectations. That is the work.” volunteers created online crisis maps that allowed vic- crisis-mapping, has to look at the impact the informa- nature of our work. So the tims and aid workers to use their cell phones to post tion had on their decisions. question becomes how do we up-to-the-minute data about the location of people in best manage these expecta- need of help. Meier says new technologies could have How credible is this type of volunteered tions? One of the things we a profound impact on humanitarian action in the field. information from the field? did during the Haiti crisis was During the first days of any crisis, the data from the to educate the public (via radio RCRC: Crisis-mapping has shown it can empower field are neither complete nor accurate. In the past stations in this case) on the

people in various crises. But is it providing year and a half, there has been a great deal of posi- purpose of the map. Source: Ushahidi measurable impact on humanitarian assistance tive change in the understanding and handling of I spent hours on various on the ground? data in humanitarian organizations. stations explaining that it is an information What other new technologies do you see entering L Digital crisis maps such as Patrick Meier: It is still a relatively new field and we What all of us realize is that there are different service. It does not guarantee a response. The the humanitarian field? this one made during the Libyan are just getting started. It has now been two years levels of information and reliability at first. It is im- humanitarian community is prioritizing the most I have been actively trying to bridge the gap conflict allowed people with cell phones or internet connections to since the earthquake in Haiti, which is where crisis- portant to have different channels of information urgent life-and-death requests, and people un- between the technology community and the hu- post humanitarian alerts directly mapping started to a certain extent. At that time, coming in and use them to paint a broader picture derstand this. But they must be informed: you manitarian community for the past five years. I am on the map. As more reports come there were no standard operating procedures for of what is happening on the ground. It must be said need to be upfront, transparent and honest passionate about finding for-profit commercial ap- in from specific locations, the red how to go about mapping a crisis. that it is better to have some information rather than about the limitations of the response that can be plications that can aid humanitarian work. dots increase in size. By zooming That’s because it had never been done before and nothing at all: you can always verify the reports once expected. One of the best examples of this is ‘micro-tasking’. in on a dot, it’s possible to learn it wasn’t even started by humanitarian organiza- you have some evidence. UNHCR [Office of the UN High Commissioner for Ref- much more about the specific needs in each location. tions. It was student volunteers and members of the Can this type of technology also be used in ugees], for example, used micro-tasking to analyse Haitian diaspora who got together and created a live How do you answer concerns that the ‘crowd’ conflict environments? satellite imagery for Somalia. By looking at satellite crisis map. It took about a year for the first humani- — those who are contributing data via their cell It is a whole other ballgame working in conflict images and counting shelters in the Afgooye cor- tarian aid organization to realize the value of these phones or computers — truly represents those situations. Sometimes crowd-sourcing is not going ridor, they could get technologies [crowd-sourced data and geographic most in need, and not simply those with access to to be an option when there is a mix of concerns: workable estimates [of information technologies]. technology? safety, privacy and security. numbers of displaced The 2.0 glossary Web 2.0: the term for interactive web technologies that allow It’s true, crowd-sourcing is not a random sample. But Still, there are some precautions that can aid people]. The problem greater reciprocal sharing of information and ideas. every sampling method comes with certain advan- users: one is to control access to the data and still was that in the past it Crowd-sourcing: using the contributions of data, workload or tages and disadvantages. One of the strengths of provide information to stakeholders. In the case took two employees a expertise of numerous people (the ‘crowd’) via the internet or crowd-sourcing is that it attains information quickly. of the Libyan crisis map, there was a public and a good month to tag and other telecommunications technologies. But it may not always be representative of the entire private version of the map with a time delay and count all the shelters Crisis-mapping: maps have always been used to manage population. omission of locations of sources on the public copy. on the satellite image. crises. Today’s crisis mapping uses global positioning and Every time you compile samples of the entire pop- But these systems are only as good as the behav- When they micro-tasked telecommunications technology so that any cell phone and ulation there are trade-offs — timeliness, effort and iour of the people using them. You can have all the the same process, they internet users can contribute up-to-the-minute data to online cost, to name just three. Sometimes you have to go technological security in the world, but if people had hundreds of volun- maps. These maps then can give relief workers a picture of what is with what is good enough, as long as you are trans- are logging in from internet cafés, and government teers around the world most needed and where. parent in both your methods and the shortcomings. officials happen to be looking over their shoulders, return the analysis in Micro-tasking: breaking big tasks down into small pieces that are Crowd-sourcing is not going to solve everything. It is then the system won’t be secure and people could days with higher accu- then done by numerous people, often connected by the internet.

Photo: Ushahidi just another way to collect information. be at risk. racy... and for free. n

18 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 19 SECOND in a series on Zimbelman believes the city’s recovery depends “There’s going to says using state money to rehabilitate flooded houses forgotten on volunteers to help rebuild, along with federal could revive the community’s confidence. and state government money for flood protection. be a lot of houses “The important thing is to show momentum this disasters But Minot’s flood, sandwiched between spring built, but can people summer,” he says. “If you show that the neighbour- tornadoes and autumn hurricanes, was just one of afford them?” hood is being rebuilt and you show a vibrancy, then many disasters vying for funds from an already over- the people may come back.” stretched federal budget last year. Curt Zimbelman, mayor of Retirees Ron and Jane Bieri say adrenalin-fed Nor did people outside the state remember Minot Minot, North Dakota activity kept anxiety at bay during the evacuation PREMIER as the new year began, when fewer than a third of and clean-up. Now alone in their FEMA unit, the ARTICLE residents, mainly those whose houses suffered the slow process of rebuilding their home of 21 years is least extensive damage, were back in their homes. harder to endure. d'une série consacrée A construction boom is expected to get most resi- “Evacuation was tough. But the real hard part is aux catastrophes dents back in before the end of 2012. However, the putting it all back together again,” says Ron Bieri. oubliées flood protection plan, once finalized, will determine The flood has been toughest on the elderly, says Ken who can rebuild and who can’t. Kitzman, president of a community foundation that raised US$ 7.3 million for individual assistance. He sees After the rush elderly residents dazed, with no place to go and no Sitting on the edge of one of the largest oil fields in family nearby to help. In a FEMA unit across the street the United States, Minot was changing even before from the Bieri’s, Eldred Ames, 88, is rebuilding his home the flood. Companies and people flocked to the wind- of 45 years. His children do the work on weekends. swept prairie for a chance to make their fortunes in “I don’t know what is going to happen, but I am the oil under the wheat fields and rangeland. While going to stick it out,” Ames says. “This is the only place K The sign on the Red Cross the rush overwhelmed the area’s smaller towns, Minot I want to be.” n building is reflected in flood waters prospered as the region’s social and retail centre. near the Souris River in Minot, North The rest of the US worried about house fore- Dakota in June 2011. REUTERS/Allen By Jill Schramm closures during a recession, but in Minot, home prices Fredrickson, courtesy www.alertnet.org Jill Schramm is a reporter for the Minot Daily News in Minot, North Dakota. Forgotten flood escalated as demand exceeded the ability to build. Once the flood came, the housing crunch became an L A neighbourhood of newer all-out crisis. Rebuilding with resilience The phenomenon of forgotten disasters houses on the south-west side of Minot, North Dakota, are seen After ten weeks in a Red Cross shelter, Justin and When a major flood 15 years ago devastated the city of Grand Forks, about 320 kilometres east of is not unique to developing countries. submerged in flood waters, forcing Sonja Neubauer moved into a three-bedroom, Fed- Minot, heavy media attention and millions of dollars in federal aid followed. Today, Grand Forks the evacuation of thousands of eral Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) unit thrives, with beautiful greenways and a new levee system. The 2011 flood in Minot, North Dakota, in homes. Photo: REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson, in October. They were thrilled to have a place of Trevor Riggen, senior director of disaster services with the American Red Cross in Washington courtesy www.alertnet.org their own, but their weeks of displacement, material DC, says attention and resources have a psychological effect that impacts resiliency against the US Midwest, is a case in point. I Eldred Ames, 88, stands on the deck of a temporary housing unit, losses and continued future uncertainty took a toll. future disasters. In Grand Forks, the tangible result of attention and resources was a flood provided by FEMA. Photo: Jill Schramm Sonja Neubauer’s hair began falling out from the mitigation project, he says. stress. The one thing that brings her peace of mind “If the attention doesn’t bring the psyche of the community up to where they are thinking, amed one of the United States’ ‘best of the country often considered remote. Not far from is that her children are happily settled. “This is home ‘What do we do next time? How do we have a stronger community?’, they never build the old-house neighbourhoods’ by a home- the Canadian border, Minot is home to a US Air Force and you have to make it comfortable to live in for resilience they need,” says Riggen, who suggests getting corporations and other donors thinking improvement magazine only one year ago, base and is one of the larger cities in the sparsely yourself and for your kids,” she says. about how they can help in the long run. Nhistoric Eastwood Park in Minot, North Dakota, now populated state of North Dakota. FEMA expects people to find permanent homes by Mason Hollifield, Red Cross chapter director in Grand Forks during the city’s flood, says the chapter looks haggard in the aftermath of a summer flood Hundreds of kilometres from a major metropoli- December 2012. The Neubauers, like many residents was part of the long-term solution. Unlike Minot, the Grand Forks chapter had money for a role in that inundated much of the city. tan centre, Minot’s disaster grabbed media attention of the temporary units, are sceptical. rebuilding and providing individual assistance to the most needy. Since the Souris River crested in June 2011 — dis- only briefly. A nation that stood aghast at scenes of Hardest hit by the flood were the older, Hollifield says that while national Red Cross resources can help, the battle placing 11,000 residents in the Minot area, flooding houses with water to the roofs quickly cast its atten- more affordable homes. “There’s going is won or lost on the strength of local volunteers and partnerships with 4,100 homes and businesses — David and Pat Leh- tion elsewhere when flood waters began receding. to be a lot of houses built, but can peo- community and government organizations. “Any disaster is going to start ner have worked feverishly to preserve original Volunteers who came to muck out and gut houses ple afford them?” Zimbelman asks. local and it’s going to end local,” he says. “You need those local resources.” woodwork and leaded-glass windows in their rav- retreated ahead of winter, which can be notoriously In Minot, the flood revealed a need to increase volunteer numbers aged three-storey house, built in 1908. “Evacuation was harsh in North Dakota. Bringing people back and training levels, says Allan McGeough, director of Minot’s Mid- “If you don’t discipline yourself to keep coming tough. But the real “People around here are tapped out,” says Curt Because North Dakota’s economy Dakota chapter. Fortunately, the national organization provided enough and doing something, it’s too easy to just sit back Zimbelman, a banker and Minot’s mayor. “They have has flourished on oil and agriculture, resources to fill the gaps when the chapter became overwhelmed with and let it overwhelm you,” David Lehner says. “I can hard part is putting given what they can give.” budget surpluses enable the state to sheltering, providing meals and distributing clean-up kits, he says. see where a lot of people give up.” it all back together Somehow, he says, Minot needs to capture the na- help repair flooded homes and plan for Knowing a repeat on the scale of the 2011 flood is statistically unlikely, again.” tion’s attention again. “We have been forgotten by the future flood protection.A lthough some the chapter repaired its flooded building and readied volunteers to respond Out on the prairie national media,” he adds. “People aren’t thinking of us discouraged flood victims have moved to potential smaller-scale flooding this spring. Recovery has been slow and outside resources few Ron Bieri, resident of Minot, like they were before, and I don’t think there’s any less away, North Dakota’s recovery coordi- “What we need to drive home now is that this is just the beginning for for Minot, a city of about 41,000 inhabitants in a part North Dakota need now than there was immediately after the flood.” nator, Major General Murray Sagsveen, Minot,” Mayor Zimbelman says.

20 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 21 Caught between revolution Voices of the Arab Spring “We’re seeing a Hafedh Ben Miled, a 30-year-old doctor, personifies the at home and conflict next general trend at the commitment of young volunteers to the humanitarian response in North Africa. A volunteer with the Tunisian Red Crescent for nine years, Ben Miled door, the Tunisian Red moment of some has worked on the Libyan–Tunisian border since the beginning of the crisis in 2011. kids mimicking Now the Tunisian Red Crescent’s national operations coordinator, he says this complex Crescent carried the weight emergency tested all of his skills — as well as the capacity of his National Society. what happened in of an international response. the tsunami and even pretending to bury people.” Mayumi Oguri, 41-year-old Lessons in the sand Japanese Red Cross Society nurse

J The Tunisian Red Crescent’s in need. We were able to respond very early, which Hafedh Ben Miled examines a gave us the recognition of the local community. This patient. Photo: Tunisian Red Crescent allowed the ICRC and IFRC to get to the field very early and start working. Then, we were able to offer a diversity of services. That’s the added value of our Movement. Otherwise, a lot of work has to be done in terms of integration in the local community. Delegates should be more humble and adopt a low profile For us, it was the most difficult thing: how can we L The Tunisian Red Crescent while working in field. Both volunteers and local provide humanitarian aid and support refugees and, played a critical role in helping communities were shocked when they saw some at the same time, keep a good relationship with the refugees fleeing violence in Libya in 2011. Here, Bangladeshi humanitarian workers staying in comfortable ho- daily workers who are helping us? How do we make evacuees wait for food at a refugee What most surprised you in the situation tels and telling volunteers what to do. More work sure that we protect our volunteers and our staff while camp near the Libyan and Tunisian at the border? should also be done to make the volunteers more keeping a good reputation for our National Society? border crossing of Ras Jdir. funding to make it work for a long time? Are we tak- I have taken some courses about disaster manage- comfortable with international staff and to develop Photo: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/courtesy, ing into consideration local community needs? To ment, about the Sphere standards and how to deal coordination mechanisms during crises. How do you maintain the Fundamental Principles www.alertnet.org what extent are we supporting the National Society j with a crisis. I’ve even participated in a simulation when you are caught between so many sides? In the desert near the Libyan– with these facilities? Does the National Society have Tunisian border, volunteers for of an uprising. But the reality is very different from Did the revolution inspire more young people to We tried to be as impartial and independent as pos- the Tunisian Red Crescent put the the capacity to carry on the crisis management after what you learn. become volunteers? sible. We have our priority, which is to support the Fundamental Principles into action the IFRC and ICRC leave?” A lot of issues came up such as customs, access to We received many new requests but we are still most vulnerable people. We had to take decisions on on the ground. the field and relationship with the local community. not able to accept them as we don’t have enough a case-by-case basis. For example, we know that we Photo: Tunisian Red Crescent Some suggest we need a kind of Red Crescent Also, the Libyan government was putting pressure resources. It’s not only an issue of recruitment sys- are not allowed to let the army enter the camp with Spring in which National Societies in the region on us by taking everything from the refugees — tems but also of planning, monitoring and resource guns or to take photos with the army or to be close build on this experience to strengthen their even cell phones — before they went into Tunisia. mobilization. to the army. But in the field that was impossible. Be- capacity and independence. The revolution also made it difficult to manage cause there was no political structure in Tunisia, only I think it’s very important to keep some distance people. They no longer accepted any kind of rules. In the camps along the Libyan–Tunisian border, the army was effective. So we could not rely on the from government and for everyone to learn lessons You have to be diplomatic while approaching them there were some serious tensions. What was that politicians, we could only rely on the army. from what happened here. In our countries, during to make them allies. experience like? the revolutions, people wanted to rebuild all the The daily workers were threatening us, demanding The Arab Spring took a lot of people by surprise. systems. So for our National Society, this is a good What else was different than the simulation more work for themselves and their families, and How well prepared was the Tunisian Red Crescent opportunity to take a central place and to build sus- exercises? Web extra sometimes they stopped us from providing services and the Movement for this type of internal tainable projects for the future. So yes, there is an When you work in a crisis area, you have to talk to Fundamental to refugees. For us, that was unacceptable. But it was revolution? opportunity, but it is now time to do the work — the community leaders. That’s what we learn. But there impossible to say, “You’re fired”, because we would I don’t think we were well prepared as a whole huge work — to take advantage of that opportunity. were no community leaders since the revolution Principles have been attacked. The government was not doing Movement. We don’t have any standard operating During this crisis, we succeeded in starting to caused most of them to step down. This made the in action much about this. Dealing with all those things at the procedures for such events. In the future, as a Move- For more of Hafedh Ben build our capacities and the National Society is now emergency more complex. An interview with the same time was difficult. ment, we should try to build the capacity of National Miled’s thoughts about taking the first steps on a very positive path. I want Egyptian Red Crescent Some people from the local community consid- Societies at the local level. If we do that, and work humanitarian issues, see to ask other National Societies and the Movement How about the Movement response? What things Society’s Dr. Amal Emam ered the refugees not as vulnerable people, but as on better coordination between IFRC and ICRC, and the blog of the Tunisian Red to support the Tunisian Red Crescent in providing worked well, what could have been improved? on putting neutrality to the the source of a job. They didn’t really care about follow a clear set of standards about humanitarian Crescent’s Bizerte branch: necessary and sustainable projects to local commu- The main resources we had, which made us rapid test in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. our principles or our code of conduct, but they still crises, I think we would be more effective. lactionhumanitaire. nities. I want also to ask volunteers to have faith and and effective, were the local branches of the Tuni- www.redcross.int are our daily workers and they are representing our If we are in an emergency situation and want to blogspot.com patience, and to be wise while addressing these new sian Red Crescent. We were the closest to the people Movement. build a camp we have to ask: “Do we have enough challenges. I think the sun is shining on us now. n

22 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 23 n the 12 years that Jakob Kellen- The humanitarian sector as a whole You have also worked to develop Photo: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse, berger has been president of the has also grown significantly in the past partnerships. Why is this important courtesy www.alertnet.org ICRC, the humanitarian landscape has 12 years. How do you feel this diverse and what are the challenges? Ichanged dramatically. The attacks of 11 sector is responding? It is important that National Societies see September 2001, the resultant wars in Af- Changing The humanitarian label has become more us as true and equal partners. I think that ghanistan and Iraq, the continued rise of attractive. That is a positive development, has developed well. We now have spe- non-state armed groups and the increased provided the presence of more actors and cial partnership agreements with a group use of new, high-tech weapons have increased competition lead to the improve- of National Societies and some are even posed serious new questions for humani- ment of humanitarian services in the field included in our rapid-deployment tarian values and action. As Kellenberger and are accompanied by a sincere commit- mechanism. I think the humanitarian prepares to step down as president this ment to transparency where it matters for landscape will continue to develop year, RCRC magazine asked him to reflect times, big efficient coordination. in this way and there will be new on the challenges and the achievements A big problem is that humanitarian or- partnerships inside and outside of the past 12 years, as well as his concerns ganizations don’t always make a clear the Movement. and hopes for the future. distinction between talk and action, be- But to have close part- tween what they intend to do and what nership you have to see At the recent Red Cross Red Crescent they in fact do. This not only hampers co- eye-to-eye on the principles International Conference, significant challenges ordination but can lead to the misleading and look at which organiza- new resolutions were adopted regarding impression in some contexts that there tions are really efficient in international humanitarian law (IHL). This is a particular challenge with non-state to defend the existing rules of IHL under are a lot of actors where there are, in fact, terms of professional and How do we make sure the momentum on armed actors. We must succeed in having a the pressure from ‘war-on-terror’ rhetoric very few. It would also be in the interest of logistical capacities. For IHL continues? more structured dialogue with non-state and, afterwards, in working out proposals transparency if humanitarian organizations example, with Médecins Common Article 1 of the Geneva Con- armed actors, and that is not easy because it for the further development of treaty law, were always clear if they are themselves sans Frontières, one of vention says that states should not only is much more difficult to get access to them. which is applicable mainly in non-interna- active in the field or if they work through the benchmarks in the respect the rules but also ensure respect The groups are also less structured and it’s tional armed conflicts. so-called implementing agencies. humanitarian field, there is by others. There is a big question whether difficult to know the structures that do exist. It is fashionable to talk about account- further scope for developing this is a legal or a moral obligation but But it’s not enough to only work with states What have been some of the main ability and coordination and leadership. partnership. So I think there is in any case that is something we must and get them to respect the rules. lessons learned? Accountability matters indeed, especially a wide scope for partnership continue to work on and use as a basis In the so-called humanitarian world — with regard to operational efficiency and in the humanitarian arena as for engaging with governments or other What were some of the positive steps ICRC included — there is often too much with regard to beneficiaries and donors. long as it reinforces the im- entities. The directives you’ve seen in the last jargon and not enough precise language. However, to be the best at filling in a maxi- pact of our humanitarian adopted in recent years decade at the ICRC? This matters: the language you use de- mum of documents at the detriment of action. by the European Union “I do feel that through We have increased our ac- termines to a considerable extent the action cannot and should not be the priority. [intended to enhance our combined efforts, cess to people in need of perceptions you have. And the perceptions We need much more transparency to Is partnership more compliance with particu- assistance and protection you have determine to a large extent the make coordination effective. But transpar- important now than lar aspects of IHL among many violations and our scope of action actions you envisage or undertake. ency is only relevant as a tool to better meet before? member states] are an en- of international — adjusting to the chang- One lesson we had to learn was not the needs of those we have to protect and The ICRC has a good couraging example. ing environment and new only to do — which is indeed the most assist. For coordination to be effective, you reputation in terms Given modern technolo- humanitarian law are operational realities — has important thing — but also to explain really have to know the capacities of the re- of access and rapid de- gies and the possibilities being prevented.” clearly expanded since in an understandable way what we are spective actors in the field. ployment. But there are a lot of things that civil society has to 2000. Our capacity for doing and why. For example, we’ve made I also see an increase in the blurring of that we could not do without very reli- have its own voice, there is A quote from the extended rapid deployment has also progress in terms of conceptual position- lines between emergency action, early able National Society partners — take also considerable potential interview available at: grown and we have a clear ing on the issue of internally displaced recovery and development activity. And I Afghanistan or Somalia as examples. to mobilize public opinion www.redcross.int strategic framework. people, where we had difficulty making think all humanitarian organizations have In the future, the role of local hu- about IHL, health care in As a consequence, the ourselves understood, and in terms of to make up their minds quite clearly to manitarian organizations such as danger and other humani- ICRC has grown a lot in explaining ICRC’s activities and role in the what extent they see themselves as actors the National Societies will go even tarian concerns. But then terms of staff and budget. early recovery phase of emergency opera- in emergency situations or whether they further for practical and also for you also need to inform the public in a That was one more challenge and the tions. see themselves no longer as humanitar- political reasons, mainly the so- way that allows people to make their own question can be asked: to what extent is The lesson I learnt from the Indian ian organizations in a traditional sense but called sovereignty concerns of judgements and to become aware of the this possible while keeping a strong cor- Ocean tsunami in 2004 was that the ICRC leaning towards development. some states. It is important challenges. porate identity — not forgetting that we had considerable added value and a corre- In spite of all the talks, all the discussions, for the IFRC and the ICRC to And then there will also be the painful also were pushing quite hard to diversify sponding responsibility in natural disasters the humanitarian community as a whole support National Societies and difficult need to intervene directly with and internationalize our workforce. To be in areas of conflict or tension. The swift, is pretty far from having a common un- to get stronger because parties to a conflict.W hen you see they are frank, I never seriously doubted we would determined and massive action after the derstanding of what humanitarian action these partnerships are about to violate the rules of war, or have meet this challenge. earthquake in South Asia in October 2005 means nowadays. Effective coordination going to become already done so, you have to make direct The legal work carried out during all demonstrated convincingly that the lesson with multiple actors is difficult without even more impor- interventions. these years has also been remarkable, first had been learnt — thoroughly learnt. seeing eye-to-eye on some basic concepts. tant. n

24 | Red Cross Red Crescent | ISSUE 1 . 2012 ISSUE 1 . 2012 | Red Cross Red Crescent | 25 Two years after Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, thousands of families have left the over half a million, down from the high of 1.5 million rentable properties were badly affected by the camps and found livelihoods. Thousands more live in their original at the beginning of the emergency. This huge de- earthquake and have yet to be repaired. cline reflects, in part, the rapid increase in the pace “If collectively we have learned one lesson from neighbourhoods. But nearly half a million people are still living under of shelter solutions, which have enabled hundreds the shelter response in Haiti, it’s the need for flex- of thousands of people to leave camps. ibility in our approaches,” says Genot. canvas, plagued by violence, rain, floods and the threat of eviction. For them, Overall in Haiti, 125,000 families have reportedly “The Haitian context is unique and we quickly been given improved shelter, with the IFRC alone learned that we needed to adapt our response to what has happened to the promises and the hope? reaching more than 25,000 families. The vast major- meet the specific challenges and opportunities of ity of these shelter solutions were achieved in the this operation,” he says. “The Red Cross Red Crescent last 12 months. had to develop a wide range of shelter options cov- Despite the frustration over the slow pace of re- ering emergency shelter, rental support, transitional construction, there are many signs that momentum housing, support to move to the provinces, house is building. Community construction teams are now repairs and even permanent housing.” fully trained and production pipelines are in place Still, there’s still a desperate need for a variety of The promise of ensuring the speedy transport of materials around shelter options. the country. The painstaking process of identifying, “Providing improved shelter for those displaced says. “It’s also not safe; anyone can come and steal and where possible securing, land has been carried by the earthquake remains the top humanitarian pri- your things.” out, meaning construction has finally scaled up. ority and enormous progress has been made,” says L At the La Piste camp in Port-au- In a few weeks the family will be moving to a rented But it’s not easy. Securing suitable land has posed Eduard Tschan, head of the IFRC delegation in Haiti. Prince, the IFRC supported a team property in Delmas 32 with the support of a resettle- considerable problems, which are rooted in Haiti’s of builders, all of whom are deaf, “But the pace of house repairs and reconstruction ment grant from the IFRC. The house, made up of two complex land-ownership laws and customs. Haiti to construct shelters in 2010. must increase,” he continued, “otherwise, large- rooms and a small porch, will cost 30,000 Haitian gour- lacks almost all of the key attributes of a functional, Photo: Ben Depp/IFRC scale camp decongestion programmes, including des (US$ 750) to rent for a year. civil land system. Haiti’s housing and land-owner- that of the Red Cross Red Crescent, will undoubtedly shelterK The IFRC has been working to ’m looking forward to living in a real “I couldn’t move out before as I didn’t have the ship crisis was not created by the earthquake, but slow down in the coming months.” help residents at the Mais Gate 8 camp in Port-au-Prince to resettle neighbourhood,” says Fabienne Joseph, 28. means or resources — otherwise I would have left it was profoundly exacerbated by this catastrophic into better homes. The size of the “The environment here isn’t good for my son. this camp already,” Joseph continues. natural disaster. A more stable foundation? camp has been steadily dwindling. “IIt will be better for him when we move.” “Transitional shelters, while criticized by some for The past 12 months have seen significant changes Still, many families remain in Joseph has spent the past two years living in Building momentum not being a long-term solution, have been a vital in Haiti. The camp population has been reduced this neighbourhood of tents that a tent with her husband and small son after the Stories such as Joseph’s are one reason the camp part of the shelter strategy, which has helped to get by nearly two-thirds, a new government has been Redens Fritz Pierre gazes over during his rounds as a camp house she rented was destroyed in the earthquake. population in and around Haiti’s capital Port-au- people out of tents and unsafe living situations,” sworn into power and there has been an overall de- committee member. “Here when it rains, we get wet or flooded,” she Prince is estimated to have been reduced to just says Xavier Genot, the Movement’s shelter coordi- crease in the number of cholera cases reported. Photo: Ben Depp/IFRC nator in Haiti. While adversity is never hard to find in Haiti, signs “Some 100,000 families have been rehoused in of progress are clearly visible. According to the lat- transitional shelters, meaning their living conditions est Early Recovery Cluster estimates, nearly half of have improved dramatically,” he adds. “In the same the 10 million cubic metres of debris generated by time frame, it has only been possible to rebuild or the earthquake has been cleared. The piles of rub- repair a few thousand permanent houses.” ble blocking roads and covering the landscape have But how to ensure this momentum increases been visibly diminished. and continues? The majority of those displaced New small businesses and shops line the streets of are based in Port-au-Prince where space is at a pre- Port-au-Prince and, in some of the most prominent mium. There simply isn’t enough room to continue camps, a few empty tents are the only reminder with large-scale transitional shelter programmes, of the hundreds of thousands of people who once which have provided a lifeline to thousands of peo- lived there. ple without shelter. The politics of reconstruction also has a role to play in the speed of Haiti’s recovery. While a new Haitian For rent: repairs needed president was sworn into power in May 2011, politi- It’s also important to remember that before the “Enormous progress cal instability continued to affect the pace of recovery earthquake, roughly 80 per cent of the current camp efforts. The appointment of a prime minister in par- population was living in rented accommodation. has been made. ticular was subject to intense political tension and Landlords, however, often require a year’s down But the pace of subsequent delays, which meant that many other key payment — impossible for a camp resident who lost positions also remained unfilled. everything in the earthquake and has no meaning- house repairs and Progress toward a stronger, more stable govern- ful income. reconstruction must ment appeared to be underway at the beginning The IFRC therefore is providing grants to help increase.” of 2012, giving donor nations more confidence people pay their rent, complemented by finan- about finalizing a major aid package. But the cial support to rebuild livelihoods. This has helped Eduard Tschan, head of the subsequent resignation of the prime minister in thousands of families to leave the camps. But many IFRC delegation in Haiti February raised questions about the government’s

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ICRC materials are available from the International Committee of the Red Cross, 19 avenue de la Paix, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland. www.icrc.org future stability. Nonetheless, a new government “I know I can do this, In Delmas 30, home to dozens of families who live Resources IFRC materials are available from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent unit for housing and public building construc- I can make a success in tightly packed houses along a maze of alleyways Societies, P.O. Box 372, CH-1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland. www.ifrc.org tion, for example, has recently been established, and streets, this work is well under way. The ravine along with an official national plan to support camp of my business.” of Delmas provides a staggering backdrop, with hill- decongestion. The ‘16/6 project’ aims to support the Marlene Lottee, 42-year-old sides piled high with rubbish and debris as far as the closure of six camps in Port-au-Prince and renovate eye can see. Publications MEDIA mother of three who lives in 16 neighbourhoods. For the past six months, Red Cross Red Crescent the Delmas 30 neighbourhood governmental and military experts The Red Cross Red Crescent is support- teams have been working with residents on some Opening film — 31st South Sudan: worldwide. Based on international ing this initiative by working in Camp Mais of the immediate needs, establishing a community- humanitarian law treaties and International Conference bringing abducted Gate, which was home to nearly 2,000 fami- driven programme for the long-term renewal of the relevant Movement regulations, of the Red Cross and Red children home lies. More than 1,500 families have already left neighbourhood. The immediate priority has been this study is intended to serve as Crescent, Geneva, From the Field series the camp, primarily through rental support. improved shelter. So far, 162 transitional shelters a tool and reference source for 28 November– ICRC, 2011 Two years ago, Lucas returned But what about the future? Can Haiti expect to see have been built, packed into the neighbourhood governmental authorities, armed 1 December 2011 forces and other weapon-bearers, ICRC and IFRC, 2011 to his village to find that his a country free of camps in the coming months or and adapted to fit whatever space is available. parties concerned in the private 12-year-old daughter had been During the past four years, the world even years? The existence of hundreds of thou- sector and civil society, as well as for abducted by the armed groups has felt the devastating impact of sands of vulnerable Haitians without shelter the components of the Movement. that intimidate communities Problems to fix natural disasters, from the tsunami in Available in Arabic, English and French living on the border between cannot only be seen as an aftermath of the 2010 Marlene Lottee, 42, and her three children recently Japan and the earthquake in Haiti, to South Sudan and the Democratic earthquake. returned to Delmas and moved into one of the tran- floods in Pakistan and drought in the Republic of the Congo. Jacqueline Haiti has long faced a major shortage of hous- sitional shelters. “We have lots of problems here in Protect. Promote. Horn of Africa. Meanwhile, conflicts is one of dozens of children Recognize. Volunteering in Sudan, the Democratic Republic ing solutions. A significant number of people were the neighbourhood we need to fix,” says Lottee. whose lives are blighted by armed of the Congo and Afghanistan have without adequate housing in Port-au-Prince before “But the main thing is we need to get latrines, water in emergencies groups who abuse them and force affected millions of people, while new Haiti earthquake 2010 — IFRC, 2011 them to commit atrocities. Some the earthquake, as people flooded into the capital and electricity.” conflict has risen steadily throughout There are more than 13 million eventually manage to escape, in search of work. Planned renovation projects include improved Two-year progress report the Arab world. The challenges volunteers in the Movement, and but many end up far away from “The truth is that tens of thousands of people are drainage and clean-up of the ravine. The local au- IFRC, 2012 these individuals are often the first that Red Cross and Red Crescent This 56-page report describes Red home, often on the wrong side likely to remain in camps and some larger camps are thorities are collaborating closely on the project and to respond in emergencies, whether volunteers face in helping the victims Cross Red Crescent operations from of the border. The ICRC draws on it is performing first aid, driving have never been greater. This video likely to become permanent settlements, shanty work is scheduled to begin in early 2012, employing January 2010 to November 2011. its network of National Society ambulances or braving flood waters. reflects the efforts and determination towns or even slums,” says Tschan. “The govern- builders, masons and labourers from the local com- It focuses on the second year of volunteers to help organize their Yet they don’t always receive the of humanitarians worldwide. ment of Haiti and local authorities must identify the munity. operations, which marked the end of long-awaited return. protection and support they need Available at: www.youtube.com/ifrc the prolonged emergency phase and camps which might become de facto permanent Livelihood support is also under way through and deserve. This report looks at the a transition into more sustainable, settlements and develop ways of integrating them cash grants and vocational training. Lottee sells ways in which National Societies and decade of operation. Challenges in participation and local ownership of community-driven solutions. in urban planning and development.” government partners can encourage the fields of stockpile destruction, such initiatives. foodstuff: just outside her small home, spaghetti, Available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish The Red Cross Red Crescent is also calling on cornflakes and cookies are laid out on display. volunteering and also make it safer, mine clearance and victim assistance Available in English, French and Spanish easier and more rewarding. are considered in the light of the the government to play a greater role in bringing “The business is small but I feed my children with Eliminating health Available in English commitments made by states parties Hateymalo: psychosocial together recovery actors in Haiti to engage in a re- the money I make,” she explains. “Before the earth- inequities — Every to the Cartagena Action Plan (2009). support programme construction framework. This is even more crucial quake I had a good livelihood and I’d like to grow the woman and child counts The Mine Ban Convention: Universal acceptance and application ICRC, 2012 now that the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission has business I have now. I know I can do this, I can make IFRC and World Health progress and challenges of the convention, as well as resource The ICRC launched the Hateymalo ended and renewal is still under discussion. a success of my business. Organization, 2011 in the second decade mobilization, are highlighted as programme in 2010 to help families “My two eldest children have always gone to Health inequities are “unfair and additional steps required to ensure of missing persons cope with the ICRC, 2011 an end to the scourge of anti- Insufficient housing solutions school but they can’t go this year due to a lack of avoidable differences in health status This publication provides an ambiguity of their loss through seen within and between countries”. personnel landmines. psychological, socio-cultural, The progress made in rehousing displaced people money. The difficulties I face are the difficulties of life overview of the achievements Available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish This report recognizes that despite economic and legal/administrative over the past 12 months is encouraging but it is K 28-year-old Fabienne Joseph here. Life is hard.” n and challenges of the Mine Ban and her son outside a rented some recent positive developments Convention (which entered into support. Support groups are at the widely accepted that there are currently not enough Children affected by property that she secured with in global health, it is necessary — force on 1 March 1999) in its second core of the programme’s multi- housing solutions planned to meet needs. Currently, help from an IFRC grant. By Becky Webb and possible — to do more to close armed conflict and other faceted interventions, helping around 40,000 additional shelters are planned by Photo: Becky Webb/IFRC Becky Webb is an IFRC communications delegate based in Port-au-Prince. the remaining gap, especially for situations of violence families discover new connections to aid agencies working in Haiti but more than 127,000 women and children. Workshop report, Geneva, move ahead in life. Available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish Available in English families remain in camps with many more displaced 14–16 March 2011 outside the camps. ICRC, 2011 Study on the use Armed conflict and other situations Disasters in Africa The Red Cross Red Crescent is increasing its shel- of the emblems of violence take a heavy toll on — The case for legal ter targets to reach a total of 37,000 families, with Operational and commercial and THE MinE Ban children’s lives all over the world. This preparedness a focus on rental support and housing repairs. This other non-operational issues ConvEnTion report sheds light on the different IFRC, 2011 Progress and challenges initiatives taken by the Movement will include helping people to move back to their ICRC, 2011 in the second decade This 20-page report provides neighbourhoods. Red Cross Red Crescent recovery The ICRC emblem study aims to reintegrate children associated examples from African countries programmes involve local residents and govern- at ensuring greater respect for with armed forces or armed groups, where National Societies have Movement emblems at all times provide psychosocial support for ment officials in renovating their neighbourhoods, supported their governments to and preserving and reinforcing children affected by violence and strengthen their capacity to prevent, integrating key services such as shelter, sanitation, their protective value. It entailed an prevent violence in urban settings. mitigate and respond to disasters by water, livelihoods, health, education and risk-reduc- extensive process of consultation led It also addresses cross-cutting improving their laws. tion solutions. by the ICRC, with National Societies, r e f e r e n c e issues, such as how to ensure youth Available in English

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‘People live here’ Images of enduring pain in the Caucasus Lessons in the sand What we’ve learned on the Libyan–Tunisian border Red Cross Red Crescent Humanity 2.0 ISSUE 1 . 2012 redcross.int Can new technology help us save lives?

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There’s more to this portrait of Movement founder Henry Dunant than first meets the eye. The creation of French artist Franck Bouroullec, the portrait was painted in a matter of minutes before more than 1,000 delegates to the 18th General Assembly as part of the opening ceremony. In a truly head-turning performance, Bouroullec worked furiously, splashing white paint on the black canvas until, at the last minute, he inverted the image to reveal this portrait of Dunant.

T he M agazine o f the I nternati o nal red cross and red crescent m o vement