This brochure explains how the ICRC works to protect civilians in armed conflict and other situations of violence, proposing a step-by-step, multidisciplinary approach. The first chapter focuses on the preliminary analysis of protection problems affecting a given population. The second introduces a classification of ICRC protection activities for civilians. The third and final chapter covers issues of interest to organizations that deal with protection data.

This volume presents the results of workshops on protecting civilians in armed conflict and situations of internal violence that have been organized by the ICRC over the last four years. It includes contributions by over 100 professionals from 50 different organizations. Its aim is to promote shared principles and practices, and to raise the levels of professionalism and effectiveness in organizations working in the field of protection.

This volume of original essays by influential figures in international policy-making, practitioners and academics offers insights into the conflicting moral pressures brought to bear in various types of humanitarian operations. The authors address issues relating to human rights, development, economic sanctions, the arms trade, refugees, HIV and the media. Together they make the case that, although there are no easy answers, paying due regard to moral considerations can improve the quality of decision-making and intervention in internal conflicts.

The commentary to the procedural principles and safeguards outlined in this text mentions the different legal sources governing deprivation of liberty for security reasons in international armed conflicts, non-international armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

An insight into the ICRC and its unique approach to protecting those deprived of their freedom. This article, originally published in the International Review of the Red Cross, highlights the importance of ICRC visits to detainees as the starting point for a wide range of activities on their behalf. In light of the recent debates surrounding detention, the article explains the historical and legal basis of the ICRC's position and discusses its objectives in this field.

This revised leaflet tells of intolerable situations of insecurity and violence, accompanied by summary executions, disappearances, arbitrary detention, etc. It also describes the activities of the ICRC as a neutral intermediary between the detaining authorities and the victims, and the organization's struggle to ensure respect for human dignity.

A comprehensive overview of the specific ICRC techniques and procedures used to assess living conditions and treatment of prisoners in places of detention. Presented in a modern, clear format, the brochure describes how the ICRC addresses issues of concern such as torture, ill-treatment and forced disappearances and seeks to improve the conditions of detention, restore contact between detainees and their families and provide medical assistance.

This publication looks at the ways in which women can be affected by conflict and the actions taken by the ICRC to take their specific needs into account. It also promotes those rules of international humanitarian law which provide specific protection for women in war.

Building upon the ICRC study Women Facing War, this guidance document intends to translate the findings of the study into practical terms. Aimed at staff concerned with the planning and implementation of humanitarian programmes, this document is intended as a means of sharing ICRC's experience in this area with other organisations. It is an important tool which can be used to address women's needs on an operational level, illustrating best practices and lessons learned.

This ICRC study is an extensive reference document on the impact of armed conflict on the lives of women. Taking as its premise the needs of women, e.g. physical safety, access to health care, food and shelter, in situations of armed conflict, the study explores the problems faced by women in wartime and the coping mechanisms they employ. A thorough analysis of international humanitarian law, and to a lesser extent human rights and refugee law, was carried out as a means to assess the protection afforded to women through these bodies of law. The study also includes a review of the ICRC's operational response to the needs of women as victims of armed conflict. Overview of contents and executive summary

This brochure examines the risks faced by children caught up in armed conflict, the steps taken by the ICRC to address their specific needs, and the rules of law defined to protect them.

The kit describes those activities carried out by the ICRC to restore family links, provide care and protect unaccompanied children and child soldiers, among others. As both a work tool and a source of information, it covers the legal protection of children in situations of armed conflict and contains a summary of those provisions of international humanitarian law that apply specifically to children.
(All documents in pdf format)

This set of comprehensive guidelines outlines a framework and set of principles intended to ensure that the rights and needs of separated children are effectively addressed. Created through close inter-agency collaboration, the guidelines aim to promote and support preparedness, coordination and good practice based on lessons learnt. The document addresses all aspect of an emergency from preventing separations, to family tracing and reunification through to long-term solutions and encourages the pooling of complementary skills and expertise.

This brochure provides detailed information about the problem of child soldiers and outlines what should be done to prevent their recruitment, protect them and help them rebuild their lives after their demobilization. It is an ideal introduction to the provisions of international law that apply specifically to the participation of children in hostilities.

The life, health and dignity of children caught up in armed conflict require particular attention, so that the fighting will not endanger their future. This series of four posters focuses on the protection of children in war, child soldiers, restoring family links and rehabilitation. The posters highlight the specific problems facing children affected by armed conflict and promote respect for the laws that protect them.

Internal displacement, affecting tens of millions of people, is one of the most tragic consequences of armed conflict and other violence. This new ICRC report highlights the reasons people are forced to flee, the risks they face and how they cope.

Between November 2006 and June 2007, the ICRC and World Food Programme undertook a study of the displaced populations in eight Colombian cities. The following executive summary brings together the results of the study and the recommendations that came out of it.

The displacement of people within their own countries owing to war or natural disasters is a matter of growing concern worldwide. This concern is amply justified: time and again, internally displaced people (IDPs) suffer extreme hardship that jeopardizes their very survival.

With its expert practical advice on security in situations of armed conflict, this updated set of guidelines will prove invaluable to humanitarian personnel working at the operational level. Following on from the success of the first edition, published in 1999, it addresses new and developing threats such as chemical, biological and nuclear hazards, and includes new chapters on, among others, first aid, staying healthy on mission and how international humanitarian law protects humanitarian workers.

This brochure is intended for families and professional associations of journalists missing or detained in conflict situations. It describes what the ICRC can and cannot do for them, and the means it has available.

This brochure contains the Restoring Family Links (RFL) Strategy of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and implementation plan (2008-2018) as adopted by Resolution 4 of the 2007 Council of Delegates. Also included is a selection of relevant legal references. The aim of the 10-year strategy is to improve the services provided by the Movement's Family Links Network in meeting the needs of people separated from their families.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are separated from their loved ones as a result of war, disasters, migration or other circumstances. This leaflet summarizes the work being done by the Family Links Network of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to meet the needs of those separated. It also presents the actions defined by the 10-year RFL Strategy to improve services, cooperation and support for the restoration of family links.

People have gone missing as long as men have been fighting wars. The plight of people missing in armed conflict and the suffering of their families has been a consistent concern to the ICRC. This specially commissioned report, written by an independent journalist, turns the spotlight onto the plight of missing persons and their families.

In 2002, the ICRC began looking at ways of better assisting people missing as a result of armed conflict or internal violence, and their relatives. Following an International Conference of Governmental and Non-Governmental Experts (held in 2003), the Agenda for Humanitarian Action was adopted, which sets out clear objectives for the States and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to achieve between 2004 and 2007.

The process of identifying human remains in the wake of a conflict may be subject to multiple constraints, security and lack of resources being the two most common and important of many. Such constraints may limit or even preclude the use of more sophisticated technologies. This document sets down guidelines for achieving best practice in the face of such constraints.

This publication contains the key documents, reports, summaries and outcomes of the International Conference of Governmental and Non-Governmental Experts and the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent both of which took place in 2003.

This publication is a compilation of all recommendations and best practices relating to the proper handling of the remains of those who die in direct or indirect relation to an armed conflict or internal violence, for implementation by non-specialists.

This revised leaflet provides a concise summary of the problem of families split up by war and a description of the methods used to restore family links, reunite separated families and ascertain the status of detainees and missing persons.

The Missing: end the silence poster raises awareness of the plight of missing people and their families through the use of a simple but powerful image and message.

The Missing brochure outlines the various situations which can lead to people becoming unaccounted for. It points to the international law standards intended to prevent such disappearances and recommends best practices to encourage action to resolve the problem.

When war breaks out families are torn apart, populations can be displaced or forced into exile, children become separated from their parents, and soldiers are wounded, taken prisoner, reported missing or killed in action. The ICRC and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies work, often together with other humanitarian agencies, to alleviate the human suffering arising from these situations - in addition to other aid, this can include distributing Red Cross messages, organizing family reunifications, issuing temporary travel documents and capture cards and visiting persons deprived of their freedom.

Intended for National Societies, this guide promotes a common approach of the Movement to restoring family links broken by conflict, natural disaster or other humanitarian crises. It includes advice on refining tracing tools, including new technologies, and describes the legal basis for tracing work. It aims to improve skills to respond to the growing worldwide demand for such services.

In health emergencies as in periods of stability, restoring access to primary health-care services is a priority in so fa as many problems can be dealt with by means of preventive care and conventional therapy: Depending on the context, the ICRC must often take in action in this area, taking into account the level of emergency, the involvement of other actors, the possible evolution of the situation and the organization's operational strategies.

The ICRC has been deploying mobile health units (MHUs) in certain operational contexts. MHUs form part of a strategy involving the provision of occasional ambulatory health services. This strategy is often used in order to reach isolated population groups.

Dignified and proper management of the dead in disasters is fundamental to help the families know the fate of their relatives and mourn their dead. This manual is intended for use by those first on the scene following a disaster when no specialists are at hand. It provides basic guidance to manage the recovery, basic identification, storage and disposal of dead bodies following disasters, to ensure that no information is lost and that the dead are treated with respect.

Within the area of mother and childcare, antenatal care plays a key role in reducing death, disease and suffering among women, whose vulnerability is always exacerbated by armed conflict and poor security conditions. These Antenatal guidelines for primary health care in crisis conditions provide field staff with basic practical information they need to run an antenatal clinic in situations that may vary greatly from one country to another. The handbook deal only with first level of health care, that is to say the community health centre, and not with the second and third levels (reference and district hospitals)