Contributed commentary by West Creek High School JROTC Command Sgt. Maj. Chandler Peeler:
International Humanitarian Law is a mission of the Red Cross. The Red Cross strives to prevent and alleviate human suffering from many different types of emergencies. IHL is a set of rules that were put in place to limit the effects of war and armed conflict. The Red Cross has established four principles of IHL, military necessity, distinction, proportionality and limiting unnecessary suffering. Unfortunately, there are many people in the world that do not know about IHL or its purpose. It is important all around the world because conflict has many negative effects on environments and the people in it. There are many civilians who are wounded or killed in conflict that they have no part of.
West Creek JROTC has already reached numerous students and plans to continue informing others. We began handing out pamphlets, making videos to be shown in school, and discussing IHL on social media platforms. We have already received hundreds of views and hope to increase it to thousands. IHL is an important topic for people to know all across the world, and if we work together to follow its principles, we can help to make the world a safer place.
Chandler Peeler