This report deals with Red Cross participation in civil defence, i.e. in practical measures taken by government or private organizations on a national level for the protection of civilian populations and property from the effects of armed conflicts and natural disaster and for the provision of help to victims of events of that kind.

The International Committee of the Red Cross in August 1964 and again in February 1965 made an offer of material aid to the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, which that Society declined, adding that it would appeal for it in the case of necessity.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has received from the Federal Political Department in Berne a communication informing it that the Government of Sierra Leone has confirmed, under date of June 10, 1965, to the Swiss Federal Council, its participation in the Geneva Conventions of 1949, by a declaration of continuity. In fact, Sierra Leone considered itself bound by these Conventions since its accession to independence, namely April 27, 1961.

A sun-dial, built by young Dutch artists and craftsmen and offered to the Red Cross by the Netherlands Committee for National and International Competitions of Professional Craftsmen, was inaugurated on August 6, 1965, in the grounds of the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross. It is of brick and cement and measures about 5 feet high. On the dial itself, in the form of a concave hemisphere, are engraved not only the hours in Roman figures but also signs of the zodiac and the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Lion and Sun emblems.

As the International Review mentioned in its previous number, the International Committee of the Red Cross addressed an appeal to the Governments of the Republic of Viet Nam, of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and of the United States of America. This appeal was also sent to the National Front of Liberation. The ICRC reminded these authorities that they are bound by the provisions of the Geneva Conventions giving protection to military personnel placed “hors de combat” and persons not taking part in hostilities.

The ICRC published an Annual Report in which as usual it reviewed the work accomplished during the past year.

In spite of the relative calm which characterized the year 1964 on the international level, the ICRC, for its part, had to undertake multiple and often extremely difficult tasks. In a world evolving ever faster, several countries were still shaken by violence. In order to come to the aid of the victims of these conflicts, the ICRC has been obliged to face some unexpected situations which raised complicated problems. It attempted to adapt its action to these new circumstances so as to maintain its own effectiveness. The present report will enable an estimate to be made of how far it was successful.

Examination of the 1964 accounts of the International Committee of the Red Cross once again shows the insufficiency of its regular receipts which, it should be recalled, consist essentially of contributions of governments parties to the Geneva Conventions and of the National Red Cross Societies, to which the ICRC reiterates its gratitude for their moral and material support.