INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MUNUC XXIX Topic A: Politicization of Aid Topic B: Building a Localized Response to Crises EXECUTIVE LETTER Delegates, It is my pleasure to welcome you to both this special meeting of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and to MUNUC XXIX. My name is Jakob Solheim and I will be serving as your committee chair. I am looking forward to a wonderful weekend with all of you. To introduce myself a little bit, I am a third year in the undergraduate college at the University of Chicago, double majoring in Economics and Public Policy. I was born in Rome, but currently hail from Vermont after living in most of Western Europe at one point or another (although never in England or Norway, where I would be an actual citizen). Outside of MUNUC, I am also an active participant in ChoMUN, UChicago’s college MUN conference. Further outside of Model UN, I enjoy reading a good book, debating American and International politics, listening to interesting people at the IOP, or acting in an inevitably silly play with University Theater. As a representative of a national chapter of the IFRC, you will be tasked with solving very nuanced challenges related to how humanitarian organizations should operate. The issue of politicization of aid is very closely related to the ethical considerations of humanitarian organizations like the IFRC. Meanwhile, the problem of establishing a local response to crises has far-ranging implications for how humanitarian organizations might respond to different disasters or crises in the future. While prepping for conference, please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. I would be happy to talk to you about any questions you have about your delegations, the committee, MUNUC, or the University of Chicago. I am looking forward to seeing you all in February. Sincerely, Jakob Solheim 2 INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MUNUC XXIX HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was founded upon an ideal that those negatively impacted by crisis and those who are going through a period of suffering require assistance without discrimination. (IFRC fundamental principles) In the aftermath of the First World War, the international community came together to form a coalition to combat human suffering. Led by the American Red Cross, the League of Red Cross Societies was formed in 1919 (IFRC History) which later became the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 1991. The IFRC is, at its core, a dual system which oversees both the IFRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross. While both operate independently at times, they mutually support one another in their mission to alleviate human misery. Traditionally, the IFRC has the lead role in all situations that do not involve combat e.g. natural disasters and the ICRC takes lead for humanitarian assistance in combat zones (Red Cross Book). Together, the overarching brand of the IFRC has conducted many missions in the past, aiding millions of people worldwide. As early as its founding in 1919, the IFRC has already been acting on behalf of the world. In August of 1919, the IFRC was able to raise 99 million Swiss francs to aid Poland which was devastated by hunger (90 years document). During World War II, the IFRC and the ICRC created joint commissions to aid those affected by war (ibid). Throughout the rest of the century, wherever disaster struck, the IFRC had some presence from natural disasters like typhoons in the Indian Ocean, aiding refugees from the Chernobyl disaster, to the current crises in the Middle East and Africa. As a result of these and other actions, the IFRC was accorded two distinct honors. In 1963, the ICRC and the League of Red Cross Societies – what the IFRC was known as then – was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its services and in creating a “cooperation between Red Cross Societies of different races, creeds, and color [which advances] international understanding and peace” (Nobel commendation). In October of 1994, the IFRC was granted the status of observer in the United Nations General Assembly which increased its esteem and power in advancing the interests of the IFRC. (90 years document) The IFRC is guided by several principles in its actions. These include impartiality, neutrality, independence, humanity, unity, and voluntary service. (IFRC principles) These serve to make the IFRC applicable in almost all situations by not taking a formal position on conflicts and remaining fully autonomous. Each constituent Red Cross and Red Crescent Society has the responsibility to aid each other in relieving any crisis that occurs in the world (ibid). This mutual support has been a direct contribution to the success of IFRC and ICRC missions worldwide. Due to its inherent independence, the IFRC can do almost anything that it desires within its logistical constraints. If the IFRC has the resources do conduct some action, and as long as the action does 3 INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MUNUC XXIX not contradict a core IFRC principle or produce a net harm, the IFRC is not restricted from carrying out any substantive course of action. Apart from its current missions, the IFRC is undergoing a strategic adjustment as it prepares for the future. To accomplish this, the IFRC holds several strategic aims. First, the IFRC is formulating new assessments to determine how to prepare and react towards disasters so as to better aid those in need. Second, the IFRC is endeavoring to increase its food and basic necessity assistance as well as address climate change to increase the livelihoods of citizens worldwide. Third, the IFRC seeks to increase worldwide autonomy and international peace such that those who are disadvantaged and those facing crises are able to resolve their issues so as to have better lives. (IFRC 2020 plan). It is the goal of the IFRC Governing Board to assess these aims as well as all other aspects of the IFRC to see if they are efficacious and necessary to achieve the IFRC’s mission to eliminate suffering and misery on a global scale. 4 INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MUNUC XXIX TOPIC A: POLITICIZATION OF AID Statement of the Problem The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) is founded on seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality1. However, in recent years the tenants of impartiality, neutrality, and independence have been repeatedly threatened by the growing perception that the international humanitarian community is an extension of the traditional western powers, with such a conflation having potentially severe consequences as captured by Walker and Maxwell when discussing the Canal Hotel bombing—which led to the withdrawal of UN humanitarian workers from Iraq—with “The attack on the UN compound in Baghdad in August of [2003] … seemed to underline the widespread perception that the international humanitarian community had sided with Western powers, making it suspect as well as a legitimate target”2. This idea that some of the fundamental tenants of traditional humanitarian action are being undermined by the modern humanitarian system clearly has dire consequences, although it is important to remember—and this will later be returned to in more detail—that much of the modern political side of humanitarian action has grown organically from the kinds of crises that humanitarian actors have faced in the last twenty years. However, before diving into the nature of the proper, an understanding of the current humanitarian model is needed. The relevant fundamental principles of the IFRC—which have been adopted by many other major humanitarian actors—are3: Impartiality – It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress. Neutrality – In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. Independence – The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must 1 “The Seven Fundamental Principles,” International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, accessed July 27, 2016, http://www.ifrc. org/en/who-we-are/vision-and-mission/the-seven-fundamental-principles/. 2 Peter Walker and Daniel Maxwell, Shaping the Humanitarian World (New York: Routledge, 2009), 75. 3 “The Seven Fundamental Principles” 5 INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MUNUC XXIX always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.4 In addition to these founding principles, the IFRC are the creators of the 1994 Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief, which serves as the most widely used guide for humanitarian action.5 Items three and four of this code of conduct states that “Aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint” and “We shall endeavor not to act as instruments of government foreign policy”6. Clearly, the IFRC—and due to the global leadership of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies—and the humanitarian sector at large, have a strong institutional commitment to neutrality and separating them and their actions from any political goals. This Statement of the Problem covers each of the ways that humanitarian neutrality is threatened, exploring how this impacts humanitarian effectiveness through risk to aid workers in addition to the distrust of humanitarian actors in both the state and local spaces.