Home
  English
  Arabic
  Russian
  Chinese
Help the victims of war: make a donation to the ICRC today!
private_sector

News
Section
The ICRC's relations with the private sector
Building relations with private companies. Sections on: supporting the ICRC; promoting humanitarian responsibility on the part of companies operating in war-prone areas. Access to articles and guidelines on ICRC/private-sector relations.
©ICRC/Ursula Eugster Verhoeff
September 2008, Claude Voillat, economic advisor to the ICRC, facilitates a workshop for corporate executives.

With the advance of globalization, the private sector is playing an increasingly prominent role in international relations.

The ICRC has two clear objectives in building relations with the private sector:

  • to promote humanitarian principles with companies operating in war-prone areas.


  • to enhance its capacity to help the victims of war by establishing strategic partnerships that are mutually beneficial and based on clear ethical criteria;
  • The business community has taken several initiatives in the area of corporate social responsibility, and companies are approaching the ICRC with a view to supporting its humanitarian activities. The ICRC has also contacted several firms to benefit from exchanges of know how that contribute to the development of humanitarian action in the field. The ICRC and a group of selected Swiss companies set up a Corporate Support Group in 2005, establishing an innovative and long-term partnership.

    As a result of geographical and commercial interests, some companies find themselves increasingly involved in situations where conflicts are taking place. The ICRC is establishing a dialogue at headquarters and field levels with the aim of promoting fundamental humanitarian principles that are relevant to companies in such situations.

    See also:

  • Supporting the ICRC: for companies who wish to make a financial contribution to the ICRC
  • Private military/security companies
  • Humanitarian dialogue
      30-10-2008
      The private sector: humanitarian responsibilities in war zones
      The ICRC's dialogue with the private sector on humanitarian issues.
      (ICRC Activities\Private sector relations)

      5-12-2006
      Business and IHL - Questions & Answers
      Questions and answers on the role of ICRC in promoting IHL in business
      (ICRC Activities\Private sector relations)

      30-11-2006
      Business and international humanitarian law
      An introduction to the rights and obligations of business enterprises under international humanitarian law
      (ICRC Activities\Private sector relations)

      31-8-2006
      War and businesses
      This article was first published in the "Journal of Financial Transformation" and is reproduced here with the newspaper's kind permission.
      (ICRC Activities\Private sector relations)
      Press articleAngelo Gnaedinger

      8-11-2002
      Corporate responsibility - What does it mean for humanitarian action?
      The ICRC has recently entered into a dialogue with companies operating in conflict zones. The aim is to promote the fundamental humanitarian principles among these influential actors in order to ensure greater protection for war-affected populations - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2002
      (ICRC Activities\Private sector relations)
      Press articleGilles Carbonnier, Marie-Servane Desjonquères

    ICRC Corporate Support Group


    go to top of page
    © 2010  International Committee of the Red Cross
    9-09-2010