Neutral and impartial humanitarian work saves lives!

The false reports about the mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the highly emotionally charged debates, especially on social media, have caused great uncertainty. This makes it all the more important that we agree on the principles that form the basis of our assistance to the most vulnerable – that we understand them and know why our movement and our engagement must remain neutral and impartial at all times.
  The Red Cross Movement is providing neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian assistance in the Ukraine conflict and in the resulting humanitarian emergencies. We act without taking sides and refrain from any judgement. We support people in need, regardless of their origin, nationality or political convictions. The focus is always and at all times on the most vulnerable.
  This attitude, in line with our Red Cross principles (in particular impartiality and neutrality), is immensely important to ensure that aid providers such as the Ukrainian Red Cross, the ICRC and our Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners can continue to access civilians and provide assistance where it is most needed.

• The Red Cross principle of impartiality means that only the extent of need or neediness is relevant to our assistance. Our help applies indiscriminately to all people who need it.
• Our neutrality is a prerequisite, especially in conflict situations, for us to be able to provide assistance to all affected people – regardless of which side they are on. It ensures that we can carry out vital humanitarian measures where they are needed.

Neutrality and impartiality are not abstract concepts or fine-minded values. They are the indispensable foundation of our humanitarian work on behalf of the most vulnerable – they demand respect and build trust. They enable the Red Cross to reach out and help the civilian population in an armed conflict.
  They must therefore be reflected in all our activities and decisions, but also in our communication, especially in our choice of language and images. For example, we avoid taking sides through symbols (e.g., national flags, certain colours or subjects) or certain terms.
  Examples in the current Ukraine crisis:

• We do not use the colours yellow and blue
• No postings with hashtags like #weStandWithUkraine or similar.
• We refrain from using terms like “separatism”, “occupation”, “war of aggression”.
• We refrain from phrases like “We support Ukraine”. Better: “We support vulnerable people in Ukraine” or “We support people who have fled”.

In addition, it is important that we continue to engage with vulnerable people whose fates have fallen out of the public eye due to current events. We draw attention to the plight in other crisis and conflict areas around the world. In accordance with the principle of impartiality, we help where our aid is most urgently needed. For example, we stand up for the rights, protection and dignity of all refugees in Switzerland – regardless of their origin, nationality, religious affiliation or residence status. We are committed to the equal treatment of refugees and prioritise where the need and vulnerability are greatest. Our commitment to people from Ukraine must not be at the expense of vulnerable people fleeing other crisis areas.  •

Source: “Ready for red cross 2, 2022” (Swiss Red Cross Youth Magazine), p. 28f.

(Translation Current Concerns)