icrc-annual-report-2013

THE “ALL VICTIMS” APPROACHOwing to its specific mandate, the ICRC implements an “all victims”approach aimed at protecting the life and dignity of victimsof armed conflict and other situations of violence and providingthem with assistance. As part of this approach, the ICRC aimsto alleviate the plight not only of IDPs but of all those affected(such as those unable to flee and communities hosting IDPs), duringall stages of the displacement. This involves working with allstakeholders, from the very people affected right up to the highestauthorities: (i) to ensure conditions that prevent any need fordisplacement to occur in the first place; (ii) to alleviate the effectsof the displacement, if it does occur, both on the displaced themselvesand on others; and (iii) to create the conditions necessaryfor the permanent return home, local integration or relocation ofthe IDPs, without adverse effect on them or on others.Within this approach, the ICRC acknowledges that those whohave been forced to leave their homes are likely to face particularvulnerabilities. People at risk often flee at very short notice andoften in chaos, experiencing, inter alia: loss of shelter, resourcesand essential documentation; a likely disruption of livelihoods(e.g. agriculture, livestock, business, wage labour); separation ordisruption/complete breakdown of family and community supportnetworks; increased risks of exploitation and abuse; reducedaccess to essential services; potential marginalization from decision-makingstructures; and psychological and physical trauma.These elements obviously increase the general difficulties inherentin a conflict environment. Moreover, those affected are oftendisplaced several times over, increasing the likelihood of furtherimpoverishment and trauma.However, not all people who are displaced are necessarily madeexceptionally vulnerable. For example, those who have adequateresources may be able to cope independently with the consequences.Nor are those that do not move necessarily safe. Thosewho are unable to flee (e.g. the elderly, the sick, the wounded, thephysically disabled, those for whom fleeing is too risky, or membersof a persecuted group unable to flee because of tensions withtheir neighbours) are often more vulnerable than those who leaveto seek safer circumstances.When people do flee their homes, they have to arrive somewhere.Neighbouring communities (whether sympathetic or not) orextended family are often the first to receive the IDPs and can besignificantly affected by their arrival, especially when IDPs aredirectly welcomed into and supported by individual households.Often, however, this temporary solution allows IDPs to stay closeto their place of origin and families and to avoid being confined tocamps, which should remain a last resort. 1 Nevertheless, in caseswhere camps are inevitable, the ICRC may also carry out operationsin camp settings, often with partnership with National RedCross or Red Crescent Societies.1. A policy of encampment is generally not favoured or accepted (Principle 12 of the GuidingPrinciples). In situations of armed conflict, IHL allows for internment or assigned residenceonly when required for imperative reasons of security. In other cases, when campsare set up to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, if the quality of life in thecamps is significantly higher than the average standard of living in the area, this may createtensions between the IDPs and the people outside the camps. It may also lead to the IDPsbecoming dependent on aid and hinder efforts to restore their self-sufficiency. Camps mayeven attract the non-displaced and become overburdened, putting undue pressure on theservices available. If, however, there is no other option, the ICRC takes these factors intoaccount before providing services to camps and will take specific measures to mitigate theirpotential negative effects, for example by providing support to the surrounding communitiesor promoting the IDPs’ return when the conditions are met.The host communities often enough also faced dire circumstanceseven before the IDPs arrived and tend to be quickly stretchedbeyond their capacity to help, reaching the point at which theyare forced to send the IDPs away in order to protect their owneconomic security. It is frequently the case that host communitiesbegin to resist the arrival of IDPs owing to the strain theyplace on general resources (land, water, jobs, essential servicessuch as health care and education, etc.). Tensions over insufficientresources can easily emerge and rapidly escalate. Moreover, insome cases those who were originally hosts may also be forced tomove as they exhaust their independent means.As such, displacement – and the circumstances causing it – typicallyhas severe protection and resource implications both forthose directly affected (i.e. the IDPs) and for those indirectlyaffected (e.g. host families and communities). As the conflict andviolence persist, the general economy can also take a severe hit,with reduced availability of and access to goods/supplies/land/services – all of which could further undermine the independentmeans and capacities of the entire population.The needs of IDPs cannot, therefore, be considered to the exclusionof the rest of the population affected. Rooted in the principlesof impartiality and response according to need, the ICRC’s “allvictims” approach means that, in addition to meeting the needsof IDPs, appropriate emphasis is also placed on those unable toflee and on residents who are affected by the displacement of others.This underscores the fact that displacement is not solely aboutIDPs. Understanding it, instead, as a process and a set of circumstancesallows for acknowledgement of its impact on a wide rangeof people.THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHThe ICRC has developed a multidisciplinary response capacity,which stems from the organization’s mandate to both protect andassist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.This dual mandate leads the ICRC to address the diverseneeds of the population affected by linking efforts that aim toensure that the law is upheld with a range of activities to addressthe consequences of violations of the law and of the armed conflictor situation of violence. Activities are combined with a view toensuring that the impact on the people affected is greater than thesum of the individual results generated.The ICRC’s commitment to considering all phases of displacementensures that its response to the phenomenon andto other consequences of armed conflict is inherently flexibleand able to adapt to the changing circumstances of all thoseaffected by displacement. The multidisciplinary approach isemployed during every phase to ensure the most comprehensiveand effective response to the needs of those at risk of beingdisplaced, those already displaced or affected by the displacementof others and those seeking to return home or relocate.The organization’s activities for those affected by displacementare designed in such a way as to empower beneficiaries, to promoteself-reliance and to reinforce positive coping mechanisms.USING THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHAT EACH STAGE OF DISPLACEMENTPreventing displacementThe ICRC aims to persuade authorities, armed forces and armedgroups, through confidential dialogue, to fulfil their obligations48 | ICRC ANNUAL REPORT 2013