ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Purpose

The International Committee of the Red Cross’ (ICRC) primary mission is to help protect the lives and dignity of people affected by conflict and other situations of violence. The ICRC provides assistance and prevents further suffering by promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. The ICRC works with local Red Cross and Red Crescent national society staff and volunteers to implement its protection and assistance programmes worldwide. With the support of GAC and other donors, the ICRC’s 2019 humanitarian operations aim to provide protection, emergency relief, and other essential services to people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence, as well as to promote respect for international humanitarian law. This funding supports the ICRC’s activities across the Africa, Asia, and Central America regions. This funding also supports the new pilot initiative launched by the ICRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) aimed Red Cross and Red Crescent society capacity strengthening, prioritizing the most fragile situations where needs are greatest. Project activities include: (1) protecting and assisting people affected by conflict and violence, such as by providing medical care, access to potable water, and restoring livelihoods; (2) ensuring that international humanitarian law is respected in the treatment of civilians not taking part in hostilities, as well as for detainees; and (3) providing Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies with technical expertise and capacity support to promote international humanitarian law, restore links between lost family members, deliver health services, raise funds for emergency response, and integrate gender equality into operations, among other areas.