Racial intolerance at the heart of many humanitarian emergencies, says Red Cross Red Crescent
30 August 2001

Racial discrimination and xenophobia are flash-points in most major humanitarian emergencies, it was stated today by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Millions of people are driven from their homes by ethnic tensions and hatreds. Many beneficiaries of Red Cross and Red Crescent programmes also suffer from discrimination because of their status as victims of conflict, natural disasters, poverty or epidemics such as HIV/AIDS.

In a statement on the eve of the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, Malika Aït-Mohamed Parent, Head of the Principles and Values Department of the International Federation, said: "Discrimination of one kind or another is at the heart of the huge rise in the numbers of people requiring Red Cross Red Crescent assistance in recent years. We are still dealing with the consequences of racial and ethnic hatreds which have uprooted millions of people from their homes in the Great Lakes area of Africa and in the Balkan nations of Europe and in many other parts of the world."

Ms. Aït-Mohamed Parent said that racism was only the most obvious face of discrimination and that new forms of prejudice were on the rise in many parts of the world. She said that the International Federation was increasingly alarmed at the role played by stigma in discriminating against people living with HIV/AIDS which has been evident since the epidemic first appeared some 20 years ago. This is now a major factor in the actual spread of the epidemic, particularly in parts of the world where people were refusing to be tested for the virus, as to be diagnosed positive in certain countries can lead to them becoming social outcasts or even being killed.

"We believe that the Fundamental Principles and Values of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement - such as impartiality and neutrality - as interpreted and understood by almost 100 million volunteers and members from over 180 countries are a very important asset for mankind in ensuring a more tolerant and caring world," she said. Impartiality is synonymous with non-discrimination in humanitarian action which should be governed by humanitarian needs and not strategic interests.

Ms. Aït-Mohamed Parent said the International Federation called on all States to seize the opportunity presented by this historic Conference, to address the need for better community-based aid programmes, which actively promote reconciliation and harmony in divided communities.

Related links
Speech delivered by Federation Vice-president Ali Bandiare to the conference

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Denis McClean, Head of Media Service Tel.: +41 22 730 4428 / 41 79 217 3357

Eva Calvo, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4357 / 41 79 217 3372

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.