History of the ICRC: first World War

Battle of Estaire: soldiers blinded by gas standing in line at a first-aid post near Béthune, 10 April 1918.

August 1914: The world has been turned upside down by the insanity of war, and the ICRC is about to experience a real baptism of fire. This small institution would become a truly international organization, in terms not only of its size but also its field of action. It must adapt its procedures, already devised but never tested on such a large scale. Above all, it would be confronted by new humanitarian problems caused by a war without precedent. Read full overview

Highlights

ICRC WWI prisoner archives join UNESCO Memory of the World

Some ICRC activities

In images More images

Photo galleryHumanity in War: from the mid-19th century to the conflicts of today

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

Publications More publications

The International Prisoners of War Agency: The ICRC in World War One

The ICRC established the International Prisoners of War Agency in Geneva on 21 August 1914. Its role was to restore contact between people separated by war and recruit volunteers.
History of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Volume II: from Sarajevo to Hiroshima

This volume covers the period from the Tripolitania War (1911-1912) to the end of the Second World War.

History of the ICRC: first World War

Highlights

ICRC WWI prisoner archives join UNESCO Memory of the World

Some ICRC activities

In images More images

Photo galleryHumanity in War: from the mid-19th century to the conflicts of today

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

More

Publications More publications

The International Prisoners of War Agency: The ICRC in World War One

History of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Volume II: from Sarajevo to Hiroshima