The Humanitarians The International Committee of the Red Cross [Paperback]

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the International Committee of the Red Cross from its origins up to the present day.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) coordinates the world's largest private relief system for conflict situations. Its staff operates throughout the world, and in recent years the ICRC has mounted large operations in the Balkans and Somalia. Yet despite its very important role its internal workings are mysterious and often secretive. This book examines the ICRC from its origins in the middle of the nineteenth century until the present day, and provides a comprehensive overview of a unique private organisation.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) coordinates the world's largest private relief system for conflict situations. Its staff operates throughout the world, and in recent years the ICRC has mounted large operations in the Balkans and Somalia. Yet despite its very important role its internal workings are mysterious and often secretive. This book examines the ICRC from its origins in the middle of the nineteenth century until the present day, and provides a comprehensive overview of a unique private organisation.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) coordinates the world's largest private relief system for conflict situations. Yet despite its very important role, operations remain mysterious and secretive. This book examines the ICRC from mid-nineteenth century origins to the present. Taking international humanitarian law into consideration, David Forsythe focuses on the policy making and field work of the ICRC. He explores how it exercises its independence impartially to protect prisoners in Iraq, displaced and starving civilians in Somalia, and families separated by conflict in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Preface; Introduction; Part I. Historical Analysis: 1. The ICRC during its early years; 2. The ICRC during the Cold War; 3. The ICRC after the Cold War; 4. The ICRC and the US 'war'lÃ-