Under the terms of the Geneva Conventions, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) undertakes the role of neutral intermediary in times of armed conflict, providing protection and assistance to victims, visiting detainees, providing medical care to the sick and wounded, and tracing and reuniting separated families.

In 2001, the ICRC maintained a permanent presence in 69 countries and conducted humanitarian operations in up to 80 countries.

In times of peace, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies supports the development of humanitarian activities by National Societies. This ranges from emergency relief after natural disaster; the development of new social welfare initiatives; caring for refugees or simply the provision of comfort for the vulnerable of any society.

In 2001, the Federation deployed 337 delegates. It assisted 36.4 million beneficiaries in over 150 countries, providing support to victims of floods, drought, earthquakes and displacement. With nearly 300,000 staff and around 97 million volunteers, the Movement is the worlds largest humanitarian body.

NOBEL PRICE FOR PEACE
The humanitarian work of the Red Cross has been recognised four times by the prestigious Nobel Foundation in Norway. The Movements founder, Henry Dunant, was the recipient of the first ever Nobel Prize for Peace in 1901.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has been awarded the Prize twice in 1917 and 1944. In 1963 the ICRC and Federation were joint recipients.

Jamaica Red Cross                                                                  

‘School Days at the Jamaica Red Cross’

 The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s mandated identity of relieving human suffering  is chartered under the guide of  seven fundamental principles :- humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. These principles are upheld by staff and volunteer’s alike, who work steadfastly towards the betterment of human life and dignity. 

The social welfare of the public stands paramount on the Red Cross and Red Crescent’s agenda, and each chapter of the movement’s focus is geared towards the particular needs of the community. The Jamaica Red Cross School Program is, one of the movement’s dynamic responses to the psychosocial needs of at risk youth in Jamaica. The issues associated with at risk youth include but are not limited to youth crime, drug abuse, violence, sex, poor academic performance etc. these issues have raised the awareness of the Jamaica Red Cross (JRC hereafter) and the wider community as the youth’s of Jamaica deal with complex issues brought on by family members, peers, mentors, and various social environments. The current coordinator for the Jamaica Red Cross School Programme is Mrs. Donna Thomas, who along with the teaching staff of the institution, offers troubled youth opportunities to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as vocational training in applications of industry. Counselling and self- enrichment is also concomitant with the programme, encouraging students to stay in school and allowing youths to overcome the circumstances that have placed them in danger.

 Since its inception the Jamaica Red Cross School Programme’s objective is to motivate and rehabilitate Jamaica’s at risk youth between the ages of 10 to18 years of age. The schools are located in three parishes, Central Village - St. Catherine; Yahllas - St. Thomas; and May Pen – Clarendon, currently there are a total of 119 students’ enrolled throughout the three locations, with the majority of students being boys - a total of  89 boys to that of 25 girls. Funding for the schools overhead expenses are supported by donations and contributions, the availability of which, allow for the issuance of learning materials to student. One of the local sponsor; is the Nutrition Products Limited (NPL) that provides nutritional meals including baked goods and milk, free of cost to the school (a healthier alternative to high caloric snacks). The JRC’s perpetual drive to nurture at risk youths in becoming positive members of society; is communicated in the curriculum, in the scope of three levels of development, each level correlates to the student’s aptitude from non-literacy to basic computations and reading skills. Students who are evaluated as being adept in facets of the curriculum are reintegrating into the formal school systems.

Motivated by a commitment to improving the life possibilities of Jamaica’s at risk youth, the JRC not only gives them a chance at achieving greatness but also help them improve upon themselves, building character and confidence in their inherent abilities and potentials.