Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organization, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and employ over 20,000 people in more than 100 countries. The ICRC is funded mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Our mandate & mission
The work of the ICRC is based on the Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols, its Statutes those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the resolutions of the International Conferences of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence. It takes action in response to emergencies and promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.

To protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and violence and to provide them with assistance.

The ICRC's Mission Statement
The International Committee of the Red Cross is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.

The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.

The ICRC responds quickly and efficiently to help people affected by armed conflict. We also respond to disasters in conflict zones, because the effects of a disaster are compounded if a country is already at war. Emergencies are unpredictable, so our rapid deployment capability is hugely important.

Access to education
Education gives children and young people the skills to make reasoned choices in life, to build their resilience and to develop coping mechanisms.

Addressing sexual violence
Sexual violence is prevalent in many modern conflicts. The ICRC is stepping up its efforts to prevent this crime and help the victims.

Building respect for the law
As part of our mission to protect and assist the victims of war and other violence, the ICRC seeks to ensure respect for their rights.

Climate change and conflict
Climate change and conflict push people out of their homes, disrupts food production and supplies, amplifies diseases and weakens health-care services.

Cooperating with National Societies
The ICRC works closely with the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Federation to ensure a concerted, efficient and rapid response to conflict or violence.

Coronavirus: COVID-19 pandemic
Coronavirus: COVID-19 pandemic – What does the coronavirus pandemic mean for people?

Economic security
The ICRC's Economic Security Unit seeks to establish if people affected by different kinds of crisis and conflict can cover their essential needs sustainably.
Enabling people with disabilities & physical rehabilitation
Enabling people with disabilities & physical rehabilitation
The ICRC helps people with disabilities play a full part in society.

Forensic science
When people die during war, disaster or migration, their bodies must be handled respectfully and with dignity.

Health
The ICRC ensures that people affected by conflict can get basic health care that meets universally recognized standards.

Helping detainees
The ICRC aims to secure humane treatment and conditions of detention for all detainees, regardless of the reasons for their arrest and detention.

Humanitarian diplomacy
The ICRC uses contacts to promote IHL, explain its position on humanitarian issues, facilitate operations and raise awareness of the needs of people affected by conflict and violence.

Migrants, refugees, asylum seekers
The ICRC seeks to ensure that all migrants receive the protection that they are entitled to under international and domestic law.

Mine action
The ICRC endeavours to mitigate the impact of weapon contamination on the population through a flexible, multidisciplinary approach.

Operational Research
ICRC established a Centre for Operational Research and Experience to enhance our efforts to foster a culture of ethically-generated, evidence-based research, and to promote the uptake of research findings in our operations.

Protection of the dead through forensic action
The ICRC works in situations of conflict and violence to help ensure the dead are protected and to uphold the right of bereaved families to know what happened to their loved ones.

Restoring family links
The ICRC's Restoring Family Links programme aims to locate people, exchange messages, reunite families and clarify the fate of missing persons.

Virtual Reality & Innovation
Using new and accelerating technologies, the ICRC continues to develop virtual environments as one of the many tools used to teach, motivate and maintain universal respect for IHL.

Water and habitat
The ICRC provides water in conflict zones and creates or maintains a sustainable living environment — to reduce death and suffering due to damage to infrastructure or disruption to water supplies.

Working with the corporate sector
Working with the private sector enables us to promote humanitarian principles with companies operating in war-prone areas and to help the victims of war.