The ICRC's presence and activities in Zimbabwe go back to the time of Southern Africa’s independence struggles. In its present form, the Harare regional delegation was set up in 1995.

The delegation monitors the humanitarian situation in the six countries it covers. It focuses on assisting and protecting civilians displaced by violence, visiting people deprived of their freedom in connection with these situations, and helping civilians separated by armed conflict to restore contact with their families.

Even though there is no armed conflict in Zimbabwe, the ICRC has been compelled to respond to the humanitarian consequences of the situation there, and in 2006 launched a series of health care projects in remote rural areas.

Spreading knowledge of and respect for international humanitarian law among decision-makers, arms-carriers and opinion-shapers is another aspect of the delegation's work.

The delegation works with the region's national Red Cross societies to help them carry out their tasks and develop their operational capacity.

ICRC presence (2009): 100 staff, including 17 expatriates


For more information on the current humanitarian challenges in Zimbabwe please see the site of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies