The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)


The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in 1863 to help both military and civilian victims of war and civil violence and to promote compliance with international humanitarian laws restricting the use of force.

ICRC acts as a neutral intermediary in armed conflicts, endeavouring to ensure that its victims receive appropriate protection and assistance as outlined in the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 1977 Protocols.

The organisation protects both prisoners of war and civilian populations in war zones. One of its major roles is visiting prisoners and attempting, through confidential contacts, to ensure their protection and well being as outlined in the Geneva Convention and its Protocols. It also supervises prisoner releases and exchanges.

In addition, ICRC provides emergency relief services to civilian populations caught in conflict and traces displaced persons, organises family contacts and reunions, and promotes and develops international humanitarian law. The ICRC mandate covers internal disturbances and tensions even though they are not part of international humanitarian law.

Both UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross deal with the human consequences of armed conflict and because of this their mandates somewhat overlap. Although UNHCR traditionally focuses on protecting and assisting refugees in host countries, the agency has at times become involved with internally displaced, besieged, and war-affected populations, the same groups that are normally helped by the Red Cross.

Recent examples of the overlapping mandates include northern Iraq, Somalia, the Former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Timor.