ICRC in 2024: Upholding humanity in conflict

The ICRC helped reunite 16-year-old Kaltum Suleiman and her younger siblings with relatives in Maiduguri after six years of separation due to armed conflict. Fleeing violence in their village, they were first displaced with their mother to Chad, but another attack separated them. Kaltum kept her siblings together, eventually finding Nigerian Red Cross volunteers in Monguno, who linked them to a reunification service. Using details provided by the siblings, the ICRC located their relatives. Though their mother remains missing, the reunion with their brother Hassan brought joy and hope. Kaltum aspires to serve others, inspired by her journey.

Over the past thirteen years of conflict, Syrian women's lives were characterized by hardship, displacement, loss, and pain. Amidst the devastation, remarkably resourceful women have defied the odds, setting magnificent examples for the next generation of girls and women in their country, paving the way in front of the dreamers and letting everyone know that with hope, anything is possible, and from challenges, opportunities are born. In celebration of International Women's Day 2024, the ICRC profiled four Syrian women who have managed to forge successful enterprises in challenging environment, often while juggling the needs of their families. Supported by the ICRC, these profiles celebrate the audacity of hope and determination to thrive and be a source of inspiration.

Far from the world’s attention, conflict is again shattering lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Alongside the fighting, sexual violence is rife. In the DRC, regardless of the physical and mental after-effects, victims and survivors of acts of sexual violence face all kinds of consequences, including social rejection and economic exclusion. More than 50% of all affected women report that they refuse to seek help or confide in family members. This proportion is even higher among children and men who have suffered such violence.  ‘Listening houses’ run by the Red Cross offer sanctuary and support to survivors. These are some of their stories.  

Being on the side of the communities most affected by armed conflict and violence means building projects together. During 2023, we worked side by side with those who trusted our teams on the ground in Colombia to help strength resilience. We believe in the inherent capacity of these communities who have become architects of their own destiny. It is not only about rebuilding physical structures, but also about strengthening the foundations of the community. That is why we value diversity and inclusion as fundamental pillars of our work.

The stories of Shujaa, Fadhil, Sundus and Hussein highlight the profound impact of explosive remnants of war (ERW) on communities across Iraq. As one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world, Iraq grapples with the enduring legacy of past conflicts, including landmines and cluster munitions. The ICRC plays a vital role in addressing this crisis, providing essential support to those affected by war remnants. Through financial aid, awareness campaigns, and physical rehabilitation services, the ICRC offers hope to those dealing with conflict-related injuries.

Watching Ma San San Maw at work as a repairperson, tightening screws and fixing prostheses and orthoses for people with disabilities, can be quite interesting. But listening to her story – of surviving a landmine injury, battling depression and then becoming a repairperson who focuses on her abilities rather than her disability – is inspiring. 

While thousands of families have had closure through the fate of their loved ones being clarified, tens of thousands are still living in limbo, not knowing where their loved ones are or what happened to them. On the International Day of the Disappeared we reflected on the stories of these families waiting for news.

Doctor Odans describes himself as a “child of Cité Soleil”. He loves his community and is proud of its people. He wants a better future for them. He dreams of something different for his eight-month-old baby girl. But life in one of the areas worst affected by armed violence in Port-au-Prince is not easy. Being a medical worker in one of the few remaining health facilities operating there, even less so. 

Those who are internally displaced are among the most vulnerable populations in times of crisis. Unlike refugees, they remain within their country’s borders and rely on their own state for protection. Yet, in fragile contexts, the state’s capacity to uphold these responsibilities can be limited. Many displaced families who had been sleeping on the streets following the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon were invited to take refuge in the newly refurbished shelter in Beirut's Karantina neighborhood, which has become a lifeline for families displaced by the conflict. Once a deteriorating structure, the shelter has been transformed through the collaborative efforts of local authorities, community members, and international organizations like the ICRC. These are the stories of some of the children of Karantina.

The reality of life for civilians in Gaza is increasingly dire. Families are suffering from severe shortages of food, safe water, medical supplies, and shelter. Continuing violence has led to widespread infrastructure damage and the reduction of economic opportunity, and severe restrictions on the introduction of basic humanitarian necessities is placing an immense strain on daily life. 

Community kitchens are an age-old Sudanese tradition where people come together to cook and share food. Eight community kitchens, supported by the ICRC and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), are providing two hot meals per day for around 10,000 displaced people in the Zamzam camp, south of Al-Fasher. The city has witnessed severe fighting over several months, disrupting the delivery of essential supplies and forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes.