Abstract
The objective of this article is the analysis of the humanitarian relief work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the League of the Red Cross Societies through a joint body, the Joint Relief Committee (JRC), in France during the Second World War. Based on the treaties, convention and draft projects that shed light on the evolution and consolidation of the International Humanitarian Law relating to civilian defence and on the specialized bibliography, reports of the ICRC and the JRC, documentary sources of the ICRC Archives, and photo library of the same organization, the article focuses on humanitarian aid and priorities of the JRC in favour of the civilian population most vulnerable to and affected by war: children, women and internees in the concentration camps in South of France. This study, accompanied by photos, maps and quantitative data, sheds light on the channels of humanitarian action, the charitable organizations, associations, institutions, foundations, etc., that made this possible, as well as the loopholes and limitations of international humanitarian law, with important consequences for human life during a major conflict such as the Second World War.
Highlights
En fait, dès les premiers jours de la guerre, la chasse au civil de l’ennemi, après le sauve- qui-peut général, a été tragique
The objective of this article is the analysis of the humanitarian relief work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the League of the Red Cross Societies through a joint body, the Joint Relief Committee (JRC), in France during the Second World War
Convention and draft projects that shed light on the evolution and consolidation of the International Humanitarian Law relating to civilian defence and on the specialized bibliography, reports of the ICRC and the JRC, documentary sources of the ICRC Archives, and photo library of the same organization, the article focuses on humanitarian aid and priorities of the JRC in favour of the civilian population most vulnerable to and affected by war: children, women and internees in the concentration camps in South of France
Summary
Dès les premiers jours de la guerre, la chasse au civil de l’ennemi, après le sauve- qui-peut général, a été tragique. The outbreak of the two world wars was accompanied by large scale mobilization in which the civilian population endured the harshness of the conflicts and the hardships arising from supplying the front: bombings, famine, rationing, malnutrition, diseases, epidemics, mutilation, economic blockade and counter-blockade, etc. The duration of both wars and the prioritisation of all resources for the war needs translated into millions of civilians killed, wounded, maimed and missing
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