Speech at the meeting of the Pakistan Red Cross
Society held at the
governor-general's House, Karachi on 15th March,
1948
It gives me great pleasure indeed to welcome the Members of the Governing
Body of the Pakistan Red Cross Society and friends and sympathizers who
are present here today. I thank you for the honor you have done me by inviting
me to inaugurate this meeting and I am glad that you have given me the
opportunity to do so. Many of the members of the governing body are new
to Red Cross work, and, therefore, I thought it appropriate that I should
mention the objects to which the Funds of the Society can legally be applied.
I have tried to gather such information as I could with regard to the origin
and history of Red Cross which is replete with great sacrifices rendered
by unselfish men and women who have done so much good to suffering humanity.
The "Red Cross" had its origin at Geneva, almost directly as the result
of an accidental visit made in 1859 to the battlefield of Solferino in
Italy by a young man from Geneva, named Jean Henry Dunant. Dunant was deeply
moved by the sufferings of the wounded and the groans of the dying. He
wrote a book, which made a great impression, and as a result of his enthusiastic
efforts a non-official "Committee of Five" was founded in Geneva. In 1863,
this Committee convened a semi-official conference, which was attended
by the representatives of sixteen different countries. Following the conference
the "Committee of Five" became the "Genevese Committee for the Relief of
wounded soldiers" and "National Aid Societies" were formed in a number
of countries.
A few months later, the Swiss Government called an official diplomatic
conference, which drew up the Geneva Convention for the relief of, sick
and wounded in war. Sixty-three nations eventually acceded to this Convention.
The Conference also decided that all those who worked to relieve suffering
in war and were under this. Convention, entitled to protection, should
adopt one distinctive emblem, irrespective of the country to which they
belonged. They selected for that emblem, as a compliment towards the country
in which the idea for international treaties for the protection of the
defenseless victims of hostilities was born, the reverse of the Swiss flag,
which is a white Cross on a red background. The emblem adopted by the Conference
was, therefore, a Red Cross on a white background. It is generally recognized
that this emblem should be universal to enable it to fulfill its mission
to the greatest possible extent, especially on the battlefield, where the
persons and institutions of the Army Forces Medical Corps and of the Voluntary
Aid Societies are, if under this distinctive emblem, protected against
any enemy action by international conventions. Not less important is the
symbolic value of the Red Cross in the field of international collaboration
with the aim of mitigating the horrors of the War and ameliorating public
health and public welfare.
Switzerland is still the headquarters of the Red Cross movement. The
original Committee of Five has, since 1876, been known by the name of the
International Committee of the Red Cross and is still a purely Swiss organization
with an exclusively international activity. The members are all Swiss Nationals.
One of the chief functions of this Committee is in time of war, to serve,
either directly or through their Delegates, as intermediaries between Governments
and National Societies of the belligerent Powers, in all cases where their
assistance is requested. They endeavor, by all means in their power, to
promote in every way the welfare of the victims of the war. The Committee
takes over similar functions in time of civil war and internal troubles
offering to all parties concerned their services in order to mitigate human
suffering. In peacetime and in Wartime, the Committee is the guardian of
the Geneva Convention and the fundamental Red Cross principles and their
distinctive emblem. That such an organization is an international necessity
needs no emphasis. lt is peculiarly appropriate that it should be located
in Switzerland, as Swiss perpetual neutrality was guaranteed by the Power
in 1815 at the close of the wars of Napoleon and his neutrality has been
respected ever since.
I must explain that the International Committee of the Red Cross is
not the governing body, although it is the body which has to approve the
affiliation of National Red Cross Societies to the International Red Cross,
the name adopted in 1928. The Red Cross Community comprises the National
Red Cross Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and
the League of Red Cross Societies. This league was founded in 1919 on the
proposal of the American Red Cross. It is a federation of National Red
Cross Societies, created with a view to promoting Red Cross activities
in peacetime and to help the National Societies to perfect their organization,
to develop public health and public welfare in the national and international
fields. The League has a board of governors, comprising one representative
of each of the National Societies of the world. This board meets every
two years and its Executive Committee twice yearly. However, in wartime
it is often not possible to convene these sessions and the International
Committee remains the only link between countries and their societies.
No National Red Cross Society can be affiliated to the International Red
Cross unless the country to which it belongs has acceded to the Geneva
Convention regarding the care of the sick and wounded in war and the Convention
regarding the treatment of prisoners of war. The Government of Pakistan
have already communicated to Geneva their desire to adhere to these conventions.
In so far as a governing body of the International Red Cross exists,
it is the International Red Cross Conference. It is the supreme Assembly
of the Red Cross and includes representatives of all National Societies
of the International Committee and of the League. Official representatives
of the States signatory to the Geneva Conventions are also invited to the
meetings and enjoy the right of vote. The International Conference passes
resolutions on all questions concerning Red Cross policy in international
field. The Conference meets in principle every four years, except in times
of world war, and in the intervals it is represented by a standing Commission.
The next meeting is to be held in Sweden this August. It will be an important
one as a final meeting of several preliminary international meetings already
held after the end of the second world war. Its main task will be the revision
of the Geneva Conventions concerning the treatment of the sick and wounded
and prisoners of war and the protection of the defenseless civil population
in wartime. These conventions are ready in a draft based on experiences
gained during the second world war. The Conference will furthermore lay
down the future Red Cross policy on the international field. Having the
importance of this Conference in view, we hope to be able to send Delegates
of the Pakistan Government and of the Pakistan Red Cross Society which,
has now been formed by the Pakistan Red Cross Society Order, 1947 to this
Conference to be held in Stockholm this year.
It was in 1920, that an Indian Red Cross Society was formed. The Act
was then passed "to constitute an Indian Red Cross Society and to vest
in it the balance of the funds collected for medical and other aid to the
sick and wounded and other purposes of a like nature" during the 1914-18
war. This Act was adapted under the Pakistan "Adaptation of existing Pakistan
law" Order of 1947,to bring into being the Pakistan Red Cross Society.
At the first meeting of the Governing Body of this new Society today you
will, among other things, consider the division of the assets of the old
Indian Red Cross Society between India and Pakistan. Ladies and Gentlemen,
as will be clear from what I have told you, the aims of the Red Cross may
be summarized under three heads:
Promotion of health.
Prevention of disease.
Mitigation of suffering throughout the world.
In war time the proper function of the Red Cross is of course care of the
sick and wounded. In peace time the activity of the Organization lies chiefly
in the field of:
supplementary work for existing organizations
concerned with the three aims which I have mentioned above; and pioneering
work to initiate social service in pursuance of those aims which might
eventually be taken over by the Government or by local bodies.
It is most appropriate that the Red Cross should have available emergency
services to be ready in times of floods, famines or epidemics or any other
calamity that may overwhelm any country to go to the relief of suffering
humanity, as laid down in the first schedule of Act XV of 1920 adapted
for Pakistan include:
The care of the sick and wounded men of Pakistan
Forces, whether still on the active list or demobilized.
The care of those suffering from tuberculosis,
having regard in the first place to soldiers and sailors whether they have
contracted the disease on active service or not Child Welfare.
Work parties to provide the necessary garments,
etc., for hospitals and health institutions in need of them.
Assistance required in all branches of nursing, health and welfare work,
ancillary to any organization which have or may come into being in Pakistan
and which are recognized by the Society.
Home Service Ambulance work
Provision of comforts and assistance to members
of Pakistan Forces, whether on the active list or demobilized.
Such other cognate objects as may, from time to
time are approved by the Society.
In India, in the past, the main peacetime activities of the Society have
been :
Maternity and Child Welfare Services.
Training of Assistant Midwives.
Providing amenities in women's and Children's
hospitals.
Supply of ambulance Cars to Districts.
Since partition of the sub-continent of India into two dominions Pakistan
and India --such activities have been continued by the existing Branch
Red Cross Societies in the Provinces of Pakistan. A fifth service with
which our Society might well concern itself is the organization of Blood
Banks; for these it would be the function of the Society to arrange for
Panels for the whole country, to enlist donors, and to send vans around
to collect them. The scope of the work, which can be done by Provincial
Branches under the guidance of the Governing Body, is very wide indeed.
There is also the Junior Red Cross, which has been organized by some
of the Branch Societies in Pakistan, and operates in schools. The teachers
are generally known as Patrons or Red Cross links. Services rendered by
the Junior Red Cross are concerned with: operates in schools. The teachers
are generally known as Patrons or Red Cross links. Services rendered by
the Junior Red Cross are concerned with:
-
organization of lectures;
-
International correspondence, between Members of
the Junior Red Cross in one country and the Junior Red Cross in another,
which has proved a potent force in promoting International understanding;
and;
-
Helping in carrying messages and performance of similar
services.
It is dear from the history of the Red Cross as I have tried to outline
it to you that National Red Cross Societies are not official bodies, although
throughout the past 80 years they have been closely associated with national
and diplomatic actions. Even when countries sever all connections with
one other in war their Red Cross Societies still have a common link in
the International Red Cross Society in neutral Switzerland. Today, it gives
me great satisfaction to welcome among us a representative of the International
Red Cross --Dr. Wenger, who has been in Pakistan for some weeks visiting
Refugee Camps, advising upon methods of improvement in our relief work
there, and investigating means by which the International Red Cross can
give us aid.
Indeed from the brotherhood of the International Red Cross much help
has been forthcoming in Pakistan's hour of need.
The Red Cross Society of Canada sent to us a valuable gift of penicillin,
and the Canadian Trade Agent in Karachi received a donation of some RS.
12,000 which he spent upon blankets for our refugees.
The Australian Red Cross Society have informed us that it is proposed
to ship blankets, woolen clothing, dressing and drugs worth £6,00
to Pakistan, and from the same country a cash donation of about £99
and warm clothing have been received for my Relief Fund.
From the Turkish Red Crescent 75 bales of warm clothing have been sent
for distribution in refugee camps.
From the British Red Cross Society have come one complete hospital,
which is now functioning in Multan, 12 Ambulance cars, 2 Doctors from the
United Kingdom and 2 engaged in Pakistan, a Matron and three nursing sisters.
Four more sisters are expected and a complete Casualty Clearing Station
for 250 persons has recently arrived. From the same source during the last
few months we have received supplies of milk, stores, and blankets apart
from other aid of a substantial nature, and the services of Major General
Sir Treffry Thompson, the commissioner of the British Red Cross Society
operating in Pakistan, whom I am' "ratified to see here today, are proving
of the highest value to this country.
By other countries also we have been given the most generous assistance,
although not always, under the symbol of the Red Cross. From the Government
of Iran came a gift of anti-cholera vaccine, and Switzerland, Holland and
South Africa made offers of similar gifts. American Voluntary Relief Agencies
working through a committee for emergency aid to India and Pakistan have
sent drugs, medical stores, powdered milk, cereals, blankets and warm clothing
in large quantities. Fourteen different ships have brought these sorely
needed gifts. Doctors and nurses also come, and Mobile Medical Unit of
the Christian Committee for Relief in West Pakistan, composed of mixed
American, British and Indian Christian personnel have done splendid work.
How much all this has meant to our Refugees, everyone here, will realize.
It was inspiring to know that these, our friends, were working under most
difficult conditions to supplement our own organizations while Muslim ladies
came forward enthusiastically in hundreds to help their sick and injured
brothers and sisters in a spirit of sympathy and sacrifice.
Among the doctors who, inspired by a high ideal of service, have come
from abroad to work in an honorary capacity in our refugees camps, I must
mention doctor Holland, son of Sir Henry Holland, an honored Member of
our Governing Body who has given long years of his life to the people of
this land, and who is leaving us within a few days. Our good wishes go
with him in his retirement. I would also mention Mr. Ghulam Mohammed, a
businessman of Newcastle-on-Tyne who brought 3 British Doctors for honorary
service in Pakistan. Ladies and Gentlemen: magnificent contributions to
the common cause, such as those to which I have just referred, are assuredly
a most faithful interpretation of the noble spirit of the Red Cross.
So, now that Pakistan Red Cross Society has been established by us,
it will, I hope, play its full and destined part in the service of humanity
along with other bodies and organizations in the international field to
afford all possible relief and help to the suffering and distressed people
wherever possible.
Pakistan Zindabad
