National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes. During wartime, National Societies assist the affected civilian population and support the army medical services where appropriate. All National Societies must first be recognized by the ICRC, on the basis of a set of conditions for recognition, in order to become part of the Movement. Subsequently they may become members of the International Federation, the National Societies' umbrella organization.See IFRC; Humanitarian organisations;
OUTLINE
Chapter 13, VI. Role of National RCRC Societies
Chapter 17, I. 1. a) National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
DOCUMENT
Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Arts 4 and 5)
CASES
Ivory Coast, National Interministerial Commission (Arts 3 and 4)
United Kingdom, Labour Party Campaign – Misuse of the Emblem
Cuba, Status of Captured “Guerrillas”
ICRC/Lebanon, Sabra and Chatila
Ethiopia/Somalia, Prisoners of War of the Ogaden Conflict