International Social Services

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was established in 1863 following publication of A Memory of Solferino, Henry Dunant's book describing the 1859 Battle of Solferino. Witnessing 40,000 troops killed, wounded and left without help, Dunant's concerns let to the birth of the Red Cross and the Geneva Conventions.

The primary role of the ICRC is to act as a neutral intermediary to protect victims of international and internal armed conflicts. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the ICRC has been granted the right to intervene in armed conflicts by the more than 188 nations that have ratified the Geneva Conventions. The ICRS's chief activities are:

• Visiting prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian internees
• Providing food and medical supplies to endangered civilian populations
• Promoting the knowledge of and adherence to international humanitarian law

The primary role of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is to help coordinated relief efforts in response to natural disasters and refugee situations.

International Tracing and Red Cross Messages
In 1905, the American Red Cross was mandated by the Untied States Congress to provide tracing, message and reunion services between people in the U.S. and their relatives around the world who have been separated by war, civil unrest or natural disaster.

Emergency Response to Disaster
The American Red Cross (ARC) as part of the Red Cross Movement and through the generosity of the American public, provided food, water, shelter and medical attention for disasters around the world.

Dissemination of International Humanitarian Law
The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 mandate that every government that signs the Geneva Conventions must disseminate information to the public and educate its military about international humanitarian law. Trained Red Cross instructors provide education about the Geneva Conventions and making presentations.

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