The Red Cross and Red Crescent Prize for Peace and Humanity

Conferred in extraordinary circumstances, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Prize for Peace and Humanity is a highly prestigious Movement award recognizing efforts by a Movement component or an individual to build a more peaceful world through humanitarian action and promoting the Movement’s ideals.

The Prize was instituted by the Council of Delegates in 1987 to celebrate National Societies and individuals that have gone beyond the call of duty in working for true peace.

The Standing Commission selects candidates on the basis of practical accomplishments inspired by the ‘Programme of Action of the Red Cross as a Factor of Peace (adopted by the World Red Cross Conference on Peace in 1975) and by the ‘Fundamental Guidelines for the contribution of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to a true peace in the world’ (adopted by the 2^nd World Red Cross Red Crescent Conference on Peace in 1984).

Although the term ‘peace’ is a broad concept, the Movement views peace not just as the absence of war but as a dynamic process of cooperation among all States and peoples.

2019 Prize Winner

The work of art created by Geneva-based artist Hugo Hemmi for the 2019 edition of the Peace Prize

On 4 December 2019, the Standing Commission awarded the Red Cross and Red Crescent Prize for Peace and Humanity to H.E. Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid, president of the Jordan National Red Crescent Society – only the fourth time that the prize has been awarded, and the first time to an individual.

At the awards ceremony, Standing Commission Chair George Weber lauded Dr Al-Hadid for showing remarkable steadfastness, commitment to the Fundamental Principles and values of the Movement, and courage in reaching out to sister Societies in humanity, peace and fellowship. Dr Al-Hadid played a seminal role in paving the way for the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom in Israel to be recognized by the Movement, thereby contributing to a more unified Movement.

Under his guidance, the Jordan National Red Crescent Society has helped Jordan host an unprecedented number of refugees, contributing to stability in the region. He continues to encourage peace and harmony withing the Movement, and through his activities in civil society, he promotes peace in the Middle East, calling on Arabs and Jews to tear down the walls of distrust and suspicion.

Tribute to Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid

Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid is a Red Cross Red Crescent leader who has shown remarkable steadfastness, commitment to the Principles and values of the Movement, and courage in reaching out to sister Societies in humanity, peace and fellowship.

Mohammed Al-Hadid started his four-decade commitment to the Movement by managing the Jordan National Red Crescent Society’s blood bank, its hospital in Amman and its emergency operations. His operational experience kindled a passion for peace building, prompting him to serve on the Movement Peace Commission from 1985 to 1992.

Dr Al-Hadid played a leading role in the Movement’s operations during the 1990–1991 Gulf War, when his knowledge of different cultures, traditions and languages enabled him to reach out to the parties. His determination and his contributions earned him deep appreciation within the Movement, and friends in National Societies the world over.

As a member and later as chair of the Standing Commission, he made it his priority to resolve the Movement’s emblem issue, as a step towards a more unified Movement. In 2005, Dr Al-Hadid persuaded the Magen David Adom in Israel and the Palestine Red Crescent Society to meet for the first time. They did so under the auspices of the JNRCS and signed a Memorandum of Understanding in November that year. This paved the way for adoption of the Third Protocol (on the red crystal emblem) at the 2005 Diplomatic Conference. Under Dr Al-Hadid’s skillful chairmanship, the challenging 29th International Conference of 2006 recognized the Magen David Adom in Israel and the Palestine Red Crescent Society, and admitted them to the Movement, resolving what had long seemed an insoluble problem.

Dr Al-Hadid continues to promote implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and to encourage peace and harmony in the Movement, by helping parties find common ground in the Middle East, in Cyprus and in other difficult contexts.

He has enabled Palestinians from the West Bank to travel to Jordan for specialist treatment, facilitated the delivery of medicines and relief supplies to Gaza and the occupied territories and negotiated with governments to lift blockades or release humanitarian workers.

Under Dr Al-Hadid’s guidance, the Jordan National Red Crescent Society has helped Jordan host an unprecedented number of refugees, thereby contributing to stability in the region.

Dr Al-Hadid has also promoted peace in the Middle East outside the Movement, giving lectures in the USA to Jewish and Arab audiences and to diplomats, calling on Arabs and Jews to tear down the walls of distrust and suspicion between them. He continues to promote peace in the Middle East through civil society activities around the world.

For his contribution to peace – not simply the absence of war, but genuine peace, founded on freedom, independence, national sovereignty, equality, human rights, and a fair and equitable distribution of resources – the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has unanimously agreed to award Mohammed Al-Hadid the Red Cross and Red Crescent Prize for Peace and Humanity.

Geneva, 4 December 2019
George Weber
Chair
Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent