THE RED CROSS: HELPING HANDS

Reports out of the Gulf show lots of work ahead: It is the International Red Cross movement that must attend to the treatment and needs of prisoners of the war and of the war-impacted civilian populations in Kuwait and Iraq. The Red Cross and the Red Crescent societies also will help war refugees. These same organizations had to prepare to aid the wounded in areas far from the theater of combat. Here is a look at the organizations and their roles: THE MAIN AGENCIES OF HELP

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): The all-Swiss committee operates primarily during times of war or hostilities to ensure the safety of POWs as mandated by the Geneva Conventions. The committee also evaluates general humanitarian relief requirements in war zones.

League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Once hostilities have ended, the league will likely take over relief efforts from the ICRC, working with its national societies such as the American Red Cross as well with other international relief organizations. Unlike the ICRC, the League also coordinates relief for non war-related disasters.

STEPS TAKEN BY THE RED CROSS

Securing Supplies: Since last August, the International Red Cross members have built up stockpiles of medical and food supplies and solicited donations. Several weeks ago, the organization appealed for $112 million in donations worldwide. Collected funds will be used for protecting war prisoners and civilians and for needed medical and food supplies.

International Law: Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited the chiefs of staff of coalition and Iraqi forces to remind them of their obligation to adhere to international humanitarian laws contained in the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Damage Assessment: Once allowed into the war-ravaged areas, Red Cross delegates--in conjunction with area Red Crescent societies and other relief organizations--assess the relief needs and the condition of prisoners. Included in the delegation are medical coordinators and sanitation specialists.

Implementation: After evaluating the condition of the area’s remaining hospitals, sanitation facilities, water and food supplies, the delegation sends a report back to Geneva, where a Gulf task force then proceeds to administer needed personnel and supplies.

DELEGATES, COUNTRY BY COUNTRY

Kuwait: 14 delegates, some of whom are now working in Iraq. Initially forbidden from entering Kuwait by its Iraqi occupiers, members of the ICRC recently arrived from their temporary base in Bahrain with four tons of medical supplies and have been assessing relief needs. Delegates are now working with Kuwaiti residents, but non-citizens, who have not been allowed back into Kuwait as well as monitoring the treatment of Kuwaiti Palestinians.

Iraq: 30 delegates in Baghdad. ICRC delegates helped in the exchange of prisoners between Iraq and allied forces. Since January, the International Red Cross has sent more than 100 tons of medical supplies and 100 Algerian Red Crescent medical personnel to Baghdad. In Basra, delegates are helping victims of the anti-government unrest.

Jordan: 7 delegates. In the aftermath of the Aug. 2 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, more than 100,000 people received aid in Red Cross transit camps.

Saudi Arabia: 39 delegates are helping process Iraqi POWs for their return home.

Iran: 11 delegates working with the Iranian Red Crescent remain ready to receive up to 10,000 refugees.

Syria: 3 delegates, along with the Syrian Red Crescent, will construct refugee camps if necessary.

Israel and Occupied Territories: 47 delegates. Since the war started, the International Red Cross has increased medical assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

HISTORY

Founded in Geneva in 1863 by Swiss banker Henri Dunant who sought to establish a neutral humanitarian organization dedicated to ensuring impartial medical treatment for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Since then, its relief efforts have expanded to include assistance to other victims of war along with assistance to victims of non-war-related disasters. Worldwide there are 147 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

The first Geneva Convention on the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers on the battlefield was held in 1864, with 12 nations signing the treaty. Later, other conventions covered the treatment of civilians and prisoners of war. Currently, 164 nations are signatories to the conventions.

The American Red Cross was founded by Civil War nurse Clara Barton in 1881. Today, it has 2,700 chapters across the nation.

THE RED CRESCENT

In 1876, during the Russo-Turkish War, the Ottoman Society for Relief to the Wounded replaced the cross with a crescent as its symbol. Since then, it has been adopted by many other Muslim countries. By charter, these societies have equal status with the Red Cross.

Sources: International Committee of the Red Cross, League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, American Red Cross, Times Wire Services.