ICRC vs IFRC
ICRC AND IFRC are two different humanitarian organizations between which some differences can be identified. ICRC is International Committee of the Red Cross. IFRC is the International Federation of Red Cross. ICRC is an institution that protects victims of conflicts within a country as well as across boundaries. IFCR, on the other hand, is the largest humanitarian organization. This is the main difference between the two organizations. Through this article let us examine the differences between the two.
What is ICRC?
First let us begin with the ICRC. ICRC is International Committee of the Red Cross. ICRC is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. ICRC aims at protecting the victims of international and internal armed conflicts. These victims include war victims, refugees, civilians, and prisoners. ICRC is the most honored organization in the world with three Nobel Peace Prizes in 1917, 1944 and 1963.
It is important to know that the ICRC staff is multi-national and had about 50% non-Swiss citizens in 2004. The international staff in turn is helped by about 13,000 national employees hired in the different countries.
A president is selected by the assembly of the ICRC to officiate for four years. The elected president is both a member of the Assembly and leader of the ICRC. As a matter of fact, he is included every time since the formation of the council.
What is IFRC?
IFRC is the International Federation of Red Cross. The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, providing assistance without any discrimination whatsoever as to nationality, religious beliefs, race or political opinions. It was founded way back in 1919. This organization has 186 member Red Cross societies and more than 60 delegates with a Secretariat at Geneva in Switzerland.
The role of IFRC is to carry out relief operations to help the victims of disasters and to strengthen the abilities of its member National Societies. The IFRC concentrates on four important areas, namely, disaster response, promotion of humanitarian values, health and community care and disaster preparedness. It is important to note that both IFRC and ICRC are coordinated ably by the Secretariat in mobilizing relief assistance for international emergencies and promoting cooperation between National Societies. Also, both ICRC and IFRC are parts of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
What is the Difference Between ICRC and IFRC?
Definitions of ICRC and IFRC:
ICRC: ICRC is International Committee of the Red Cross.
IFRC: IFRC is the International Federation of Red Cross.
Characteristics of ICRC and IFRC:
Aim:
ICRC: ICRC aims at protecting the victims of international and internal armed conflicts.
IFRC: The IFRC aims to carry out relief operations to help the victims of disasters and to strengthen the abilities of its member National Societies.
Base:
ICRC: ICRC is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland.
IFRC: IFRC has its Secretariat at Geneva in Switzerland.
Founded:
ICRC: The ICRC was founded in 1863.
IFRC: IFRC was founded in 1919.
Image Courtesy:
1.”Flag of the ICRC“. [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons
2. “Emblem of the IFRC” by SaMi [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons
Good article but wrongly gives a perception that IFRC does not discriminate as much as ICRC.
This is absolutely wrong : Discrimination of any sort is in neither dictionaries.
You’re only partially right, discrimination of any sort is indeed in neither dictionaries.
But the reality is that since IFRC works primarily with assistance of relief operations while
ICRC aims at protecting wounded armed individuals, the latter fills with more elements of hatred and discrimination in many perspectives.
This is a good article but the think the phrase “without discrimination” can be used in the definition of both organizations by their aims, not for IFRC only!