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 some 14,500 people in more than
80 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.
Our structure
The ICRC is governed by an Assembly, an Assembly Council
(a subsidiary body with certain delegated powers) and a Directorate
(the executive body). Both the Assembly, with up to 25 co-opted members
of Swiss nationality, and the Assembly Council are chaired by Peter
Maurer, who has been President of the ICRC since 1 July 2012. He is
assisted by a Vice-President, Christine Beerli.
Finances & budget
The ICRC is funded by voluntary contributions from
the States party to the Geneva Conventions, Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, supranational organizations (such as the European Commission)
and public and private donors.
Each year the ICRC launches appeals to cover its projected costs in the field and at headquarters, plus additional appeals if needs in the field increase. We account for our work and expenditure in our Annual Report.
Each year the ICRC launches appeals to cover its projected costs in the field and at headquarters, plus additional appeals if needs in the field increase. We account for our work and expenditure in our Annual Report.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the largest humanitarian network in
the world. Its mission is to alleviate human suffering, protect life and
health, and uphold human dignity, especially during armed conflicts and
other emergencies. It is present in every country and supported by
millions of volunteers.
Our structure
The ICRC is governed by an Assembly, an Assembly Council
(a subsidiary body with certain delegated powers) and a Directorate
(the executive body). Both the Assembly, with up to 25 co-opted members
of Swiss nationality, and the Assembly Council are chaired by Peter
Maurer, who has been President of the ICRC since 1 July 2012. He is
assisted by a Vice-President, Christine Beerli.
The history of the ICRC
Since its creation in
1863, the ICRC's sole objective has been to ensure protection and
assistance for victims of armed conflict and strife. It does so through
its direct action around the world, as well as by encouraging the
development of international humanitarian law (IHL) and promoting
respect for it by governments and all weapon bearers. Its story is about
the development of humanitarian action, the Geneva Conventions and the
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Funds and medals
The ICRC administers a number of funds established over the past century by special donations from individuals or organizations.
These have various aims:
to promote the work of the Red Cross/Red Crescent and international
humanitarian law; to recognize the merits of individuals who have made
particular contributions to the work of the Movement or to support staff
who are in difficulties because of their work.
Florence Nightingale Medal
For male or female voluntary nursing aides who
are active members or regular helpers of a National Red Cross or Red
Crescent Society or of an affiliated medical or nursing institution.
French Fund Maurice de Madre
For all staff of the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement who have suffered injury in the course of their
work within the Movement; are suffering from an illness related to their
work within the Movement; and for families of staff members who have
lost their lives in the course of their work within the Movement.
Empress Shoken Fund
The Empress Shôken Fund was created in 1912 by
Her late Majesty the Empress of Japan to support Red Cross and Red
Crescent activities worldwide. Over the past century, the fund has grown
substantially thanks to contributions from the Japanese government, the
Japanese Red Cross Society, the Imperial Family and the Meiji Jingu
shrine.
Paul Reuter Fund
The Paul Reuter Fund was set up in 1983 through a
donation made to the ICRC by the late Paul Reuter, Professor Emeritus
at the University of Paris and member of the Institut de droit
international. The Fund’s purpose is twofold: to encourage the
publication of works on international humanitarian law or other
initiatives in that field; and to finance the Paul Reuter Prize.
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