Brown Cover OP 43 - The Watson Institute for International Studies

Box 1.1: The BRC in German-Occupied France
In 1916, the separation of principal earners from
their families was a key source of privation among
civilian populations in German-occupied areas of northern
France. The BRC responded by convincing the French
government to issue war separation payments to civilians
(mainly women whose husbands were serving in
the French army) in affected areas behind German lines.
Since there were very few francs in circulation, the BRC
filled the gap by issuing its own currency, allowing
beneficiaries to buy ration coupons. German authorities
took advantage of the situation, imposing reparations
levies on local administrations. Some of the BRC currency,
therefore, passed into their hands. The Germans
used it for the purchase of goods and services, arguably
facilitating their war effort. The BRC reacted by issuing
separate currencies in each of the 1,200 communes in the
occupied zone. Since the money could be used only in the
commune where it was issued, this reduced the usefulness
of the currency for German authorities, limiting the
impact of the program on the conflict.
realizing that humanitarian assistance improved the chances of
the side they assisted to win the war. 5 Diversion of humanitarian
assistance to military purpose was not considered to be a problem.
“Political engagement was not a dilemma, but an imperative.”
6
The issue of aid impacts on conflict also affected the ICRC’s
response to humanitarian need in World War II. As noted in the
companion monograph, the British government was receptive to
the idea of an ICRC response to starvation in German-occupied
Greece but was concerned about the possibility that the delivery
of relief might contribute to sustaining Germany’s overall war
effort. Marcel Junod reported that:
Mr. Jordan, the commercial attaché of the British Embassy,
was all in favour of relieving the sufferings of
2