International Committee of the Red Cross

The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is one of the most respected and widely recognized humanitarian organizations in the world.

It is mandated under international law, including the Geneva Conventions, to protect the victims of armed conflict and other violence, including war wounded, prisoners, civilians, the forcibly displaced and other non-combatants.

Founded in 1863 by Swiss philanthropist Henry Dunant, it is the oldest organization within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and has won three Nobel Peace Prizes since 1917.

UNHCR and the ICRC have long worked together to help refugees and this collaboration has, in recent years, extended to include humanitarian operations involving internally displaced people, or IDPs.

As partners in the field, we operate in a complementary manner to help people in need. Our respective roles are determined by factors such as needs not yet covered, response capacities, current staff deployments, available stocks of aid and plans of action for the expansion or reduction of activities.

UNHCR and the ICRC maintain a structured dialogue and coordination on areas of mutual concern related to the protection and assistance of refugees and IDPs, including family tracing, camp security and neutrality, detentions, mine clearance and awareness, and training on international humanitarian law and refugee law.