International Committee of the Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross is an independent humanitarian organization that protects and assists people affected by armed conflict and promotes compliance with international humanitarian law.

International humanitarian law: The body of international rules that limits the effects of armed conflict and protects people not or no longer fighting. This is the legal framework the ICRC promotes and helps parties apply.
Battle of Solferino: A major 1859 battle in northern Italy that left tens of thousands of soldiers killed or wounded. The suffering Henri Dunant witnessed there prompted the initiative that became the ICRC.
Prisoner of war: A member of an opposing armed force captured during an international armed conflict and entitled to protections under international humanitarian law. The ICRC visits prisoners of war and monitors their treatment and conditions.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: A global federation that coordinates and supports national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, especially in disasters and health emergencies. The Federation's usual focus on disasters and coordination differs from the ICRC's armed-conflict mandate.
Geneva Conventions: Four treaties that establish protections for wounded and sick forces, prisoners of war, and civilians during armed conflict. The ICRC's protection work is closely tied to these central treaties.
A Memory of Solferino: Henri Dunant's 1862 book describing the wounded at Solferino and proposing voluntary relief societies and international agreements. The book set out the practical proposals behind the ICRC's creation.
International Review of the Red Cross: A peer-reviewed journal on international humanitarian law, policy, and humanitarian action in armed conflict. The ICRC publishes this journal to support discussion and scholarship on conflict-related humanitarian issues.
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Organizations in individual countries that provide humanitarian services and support public authorities while maintaining independence. National societies operate domestically; the ICRC has an international mandate focused especially on armed conflict.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: A global humanitarian network comprising the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and national societies. The ICRC is one component of this wider movement, with a distinct conflict mandate.
Henri Dunant: A Swiss humanitarian whose account of suffering at Solferino helped inspire the Red Cross movement and the Geneva Convention. Dunant's advocacy helped establish the committee and its founding purpose.

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