The ICRC's Annual Report 2005 describes the shocking impact of armed conflict on populations across the world and the organization's efforts to alleviate suffering. During the year, the ICRC provided food for a million people and emergency supplies such as tents and blankets for 3 million people; its water, sanitation and construction projects catered for the needs of around 11 million people; almost 2.4 million benefited from ICRC supported health care facilities; delegates visited 528,000 people deprived of their freedom in 2,600 places of detention in 76 countries and, working with National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, exchanged almost a million messages between family members separated by hostilities and other crises.

The Annual Report provides an in-depth account of the ICRC's operations in 2005, broken down by country. There is a section covering activities carried out at the Geneva headquarters and another includes operational statistics and a statement of accounts. The report includes an up-to-date list of countries party to the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.