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The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (IV)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 January 2010
Extract
The principle of proportionality, though it would seem self-evident, is nevertheless difficult to apply fully in real life, where it encounters numerous obstacles.
Let us take some real examples from the Red Cross world. During the Second World War, the ICRC transported and distributed in prisoner-of-war camps of certain countries vast quantities of relief packages it received from the countries of origin of the prisoners. It accepted this task since it was a good thing for at least part of the victims to receive assistance. There were also however many prisoners who received nothing at all, because their countries were powerless to act. The ICRC then tried to arrange for some of the packages addressed to the more fortunate prisoners to be delivered to those in greatest need. The donors sometimes agreed to this, but doing so was nevertheless exceptional and affected only a small proportion of the total shipments.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- International Review of the Red Cross (1961 - 1997) , Volume 19 , Issue 213 , December 1979 , pp. 301 - 312
- Copyright
- Copyright © International Committee of the Red Cross 1979
References
page 302 note 1 As we shall see, the development of modern means of information has had the effect of making of geographical distance a less important factor than it used to be.
page 308 note 1 J. Pictet: Red Cross Principles.
page 309 note 1 Love conquers all (Virgil).
page 310 note 1 J. Pictet: Red Cross Principles.
page 311 note 1 An example familiar to Christians is in the parable of the Good Samaritan, in which the neutral figure, vis-à-vis the injured man, is the Levite who passes by, indifferent to the traveller left half dead by the bandits. The Samaritan however intervenes, even though this may be at the risk of his life.