OBJECTIVES

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a humanitarian organization

that works to provide assistance and protection to people affected by armed conflict
and other situations of violence. The ICRC has a number of objectives that guide its
work, including:

1. Protecting the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations
of violence. The ICRC works to ensure that people affected by conflict are
protected from harm, and that their basic human rights are respected.

2. Providing humanitarian assistance to those in need. The ICRC provides a range

of assistance, including food, shelter, medical care, and water and sanitation
services, to people affected by conflict.

3. Promoting and advocating for international humanitarian law (IHL). The ICRC
works to ensure that IHL is respected and implemented by all parties to a
conflict, and advocates for the development and strengthening of IHL norms.

4. Facilitating communication and cooperation between parties to a conflict. The

ICRC works to facilitate dialogue and negotiations between parties to a conflict,
in order to promote humanitarian access and protect civilians.

5. Providing support to National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The ICRC
works closely with National Societies around the world to support their efforts to
provide humanitarian assistance and promote respect for IHL.

6. Promoting respect for the ICRC’s principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality,

independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. These principles guide
the ICRC’s work and help to ensure that the organization is able to provide
assistance and protection to those in need without discrimination.

Overall, the objectives of the ICRC reflect a commitment to protecting the lives and
dignity of people affected by conflict, and to promoting respect for international
humanitarian law and the principles of humanitarian action. Through its work, the ICRC
has made significant contributions to alleviating the suffering of millions of people
around the world.
FUNCTIONS

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a global humanitarian

organization that has been providing aid and protection to victims of armed conflict
and other situations of violence for over 160 years. The functions of the ICRC can be
summarized as follows:

1. Providing humanitarian assistance: The ICRC provides material and logistical

assistance to people affected by armed conflict, such as food, water, shelter,
and medical care (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2019 a).

2. Protecting and promoting the rights of vulnerable individuals: The ICRC works to
protect and promote the rights of people affected by armed conflict, including
prisoners of war, refugees, and internally displaced persons (International
Committee of the Red Cross, 2019 b).

3. Promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law: The ICRC works to

promote and strengthen international humanitarian law, which is the body of
law that regulates the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit the effects of
armed violence on civilians (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2019c).

4. Providing training and assistance to local actors: The ICRC provides training and
assistance to local actors, such as national Red Cross and Red Crescent
societies, to enable them to provide better humanitarian assistance and
protection (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2019 d).

5. Engaging in dialogue with parties to armed conflict: The ICRC engages in

dialogue with parties to armed conflict, including armed groups and
governments, to promote respect for international humanitarian law and to
facilitate humanitarian access (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2019
e).