The Humanitarian Landscape in 2022
In the inaugural lecture of the 2022 Development Matters lecture series, supported by Irish Aid, the IIEA hosted Robert Mardini, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In this discussion, Mr Mardini reflected on the outlook for the humanitarian landscape in 2022 and the challenges which the ICRC and the International Community will have to address in the coming years. The event was chaired by Vice Admiral (Ret.) Mark Mellett, former Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces.
Ruairí de Búrca, Director General of Irish Aid delivered opening remarks in which he highlighted the longstanding partnership between Ireland and the ICRC. He emphasised the importance of the work of ICRC delegates who operate at risk, unarmed, and solely under the protection of the ICRC’s flag. These delegates, he remarked, occupy a unique space as a trusted interlocutor in places where others cannot go. Mr de Búrca noted the deterioration of the humanitarian landscape, and the harsh reality that an additional 250 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2022. Mr de Búrca’s framing of these issues led seamlessly into Mr Mardini’s intervention on the intensification of the humanitarian challenges facing the world in 2022.
The Importance of Ireland’s Relationship to the ICRC
Mr Mardini began his intervention by stressing the importance of the ICRC’s relationship with Ireland, a relationship built on shared core values, a shared sense of humanity, and a shared desire to help the most vulnerable on the planet. He remarked on Ireland’s legacy as an effective humanitarian actor which punches above its weight, not solely in terms of its donations, but also in its important advocacy behind-the-scenes in multilateral organisations such as in its current capacity on the UN Security Council (UNSC).
The Humanitarian Landscape and COVID-19
Mr Mardini remarked upon the context in which this lecture took place, namely, in the wake of the relaxing of the COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland. He stressed that although there may be an emerging sense of calm regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and in the developed world, he reiterated that the global nature of this virus means that this pandemic is not truly over until it is over everywhere. Mr Mardini illustrated the ways in which climate change and conflict intensify the effects of shocks, such as pandemics, and disproportionately affect those who were already marginalised and at risk, and for whom the pandemic is just one of many multi-layered sources of hardship. Mr Mardini remarked that in a survey completed in June 2021, COVID-19 did not register amongst the top 5 concerns, despite the harm that the pandemic has wrought upon the world, in areas such as Afghanistan and the Gaza Strip. Most significantly, he emphasised that without vaccine equity, the world will remain at risk. He stated that many countries, including conflict-ravaged states such as Syria, Yemen, and Somalia all have a vaccination rate of approximately 5-10%. The real challenge, he remarked, is no longer vaccine supply but the logistics of transporting vaccines from urban centres to the remotest and most dangerous parts of the world.
Modern Warfare: More Fragmented and Urban
Mr Mardini drew attention to the ways in which modern warfare practices are impeding the work of the ICRC. He argued that as modern warfare is becoming more protracted, more fragmented, and more urban-based, the fundamental rules of international law are frequently violated. As alliances fragment and shift, it has become even more challenging for the ICRC to identify perpetrators, let alone contacting armed actors to inform them of their responsibilities in protecting civilians from harm. Moreover, Mr Mardini highlighted that, disturbingly, several states continue to show a ‘reckless disregard’ for the protection of civilians, while making specific reference to the use of explosive ordinance in urban places such as Aleppo, Mosul, and Gaza. He emphasised Ireland’s leading role in reaching a political declaration on the humanitarian harm caused by the use of high explosive weapons in densely populated areas.
New Technologies: Creating New Humanitarian Dangers
Robert Mardini laid out the risk posed by new technologies in both the physical world and in cyber-space. He referred to the threat posed by the rise of autonomous weapons systems or ‘killer robots’ designed to target people. He stressed the urgent need for clear and legally-binding boundaries to prohibit the development, and deployment of these kinds of weapons systems. Mr Mardini remarked upon how the domain of cyber-space is increasingly becoming an extension of the battlefield and highlighted that information has become weaponised in a number of different humanitarian contexts. In addition, Mr Mardini discussed the rising number of cyber and ransomware attacks, and the experience of the ICRC where the personal data of some 515,000 people was compromised by a cyber-attack in January 2022.
Conclusion
Mr Mardini highlighted how the nationalisation of aid and the erosion of the multilateral system is an ongoing challenge for the ICRC Furthermore, He further noted that an increasing number of countries are transferring the risk associated in operating in fragile and dangerous environments to humanitarian organisations such as the ICRC.
Mr Mardini began the conclusion of his address by reiterating the importance of the ICRC’s relationship with Ireland. He stressed the many ways in which Ireland remains one of the ICRC’s most trusted partners and a reliable defender of international humanitarian law and principles. Mr Mardini encouraged Ireland to use its remaining time on the UN Security Council to continue to advocate for humanitarian principles, and to keep the needs of those in conflict at the centre of the debate. He urged the state to maintain its influence among the donor community to communicate the value of humanitarian principles. He requested that Ireland continue to use its wealth of technological, medical, and other expertise to assist the ICRC in co-creating humanitarian solutions. At the final close of his address, Mr Mardini charged his remarks with hope, by reminding the audience that it is through collaboration that the international community can rise to meet the humanitarian challenges of our time and help to alleviate the suffering of the countless people affected by armed conflict and violence across the planet.