International Committee of the Red Cross

The ICRC 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 endeavors to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC directs and coordinates the International activities conducted by the Red Cross movement in armed conflicts. The ICRC mission was given by the International community in the four geneva conventions of 1949 and additional protocols of 1977. It acts as a neutral intermediary between belligerents. As the promoter and guardian of International humanitarian law, it strives to protect and assist the victims of armed conflicts, internal disturbances, and other situations of internal violence. For the mandate, see the ICRC website: https://www.ICRC.org/en