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The ICRC: Frequently asked questions about our work

ICRC Emblem on boat

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is active in over 100 countries, and we receive thousands of questions from contacts every week, many by people directly affected by armed conflict and other violence and looking for help.  

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helps people affected by armed conflict and responds to disasters in conflict zones. You will find a number of tools at your disposal if you need our help here or contact your nearest Red Cross/Red Crescent help center.

The ICRC’s role and questions about our work

The ICRC’s role as a strictly neutral humanitarian organization puts us at the frontlines of modern conflicts and war zones, with our life-saving operations in over 100 countries. While our commitment to neutrality and impartiality is not always understood – especially in emotionally charged situations – these principles are essential. They enable us to operate in even the most challenging contexts and ensure that our humanitarian mission reaches those who need it most. And over 93.5% of donations goes directly to the programmes and individuals we support, ensuring we are delivering impact and making a difference in people’s lives. 

Questions about our organization

  • General questions and topics can be found on this page: ICRC General FAQs

    • Who We Are: Details about the ICRC’s mission, history, and fundamental principles.
    • Funding and Spending: Insights into how the ICRC is funded and how it allocates its resources.
    • Donations and Tax Deduction: Information for donors regarding contributions and tax benefits.
    • Recruitment Process: Guidance on how to apply for positions within the ICRC and what candidates can expect during the recruitment process.
    • Data Protection: Explanation of how the ICRC handles personal data and ensures privacy.
    • Fraudulent Emails and Websites: Advice on recognizing and reporting scams misusing the ICRC’s name.
    • RedSafe App: Information about the ICRC’s app designed to provide digital humanitarian services.

Questions about International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Related Legal Frameworks

  • Rules of War FAQ Clarifications on what constitutes the rules of war and their importance. 

  • Distinctions and overlaps between these bodies of law in armed conflict situations: IHL, Human Rights, and Refugee Law FAQ

  • Learn more in this booklet - an ideal introduction to international humanitarian law for all readers interested in the origins, development and modern-day application of humanitarian law. 

Questions about our neutrality

  • No. The ICRC is a neutral, impartial, and independent organization. Aid is provided solely based on humanitarian needs, without regard to religion, politics, ethnicity or nationality. 

  • If the ICRC were to take sides, it would lose the trust of all parties involved. Without this trust, we would not be able to continue carrying out lifesaving operations or respond effectively to the needs of affected communities, detainees, families of missing persons, and the sick. 

    While our commitment to neutrality and impartiality is not always understood –  especially in emotionally charged situations – these principles are essential. They enable us to operate in even the most challenging contexts and ensure that our humanitarian mission reaches those who need it most. 

  • The ICRC operates under the principles of neutrality and impartiality, ensuring that we do not take sides in a conflict. This allows us to engage with all actors, regardless of their status or designation. We do not endorse the actions of any groups or individuals we engage with, our sole focus is on alleviating human suffering. 

    To provide aid and protect civilians, the ICRC needs to negotiate access in conflict zones. By speaking with all parties to a conflict, including one’s enemies, we strive to secure humanitarian access, remind them of their obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL) and reduce suffering.

    Engaging with parties to a conflict, whether governments or non-state armed groups, is a complex and necessary endeavor. While it might be perceived as controversial to some, it is essential for the ICRC to fulfill its humanitarian mission in complicated and dangerous conflict environments. 

Questions about our position and misleading posts about our work

  • A video showing the illegitimate use of the ICRC emblem on storage trunks holding cash has popped up on social media periodically over the last years, including in early 2018. The ICRC has nothing whatsoever to do with the storage or transport of cash alleged by this video and we strongly condemn the misuse of our name and logo in this manner. Read more.

  • Never. The ICRC firmly denies all allegations of espionage. We are committed to upholding humanitarian principles and ethics in all our operations. These false claims put at risk the safety of our staff and hinder humanitarian aid from reaching those in need.
    The ICRC's confidential dialogue with all parties to the conflict allows us to conduct a vital part of our work: reminding the parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and raising our concerns about the conduct of hostilities. 

    This dialogue with parties to the conflict allows us to advocate discreetly and constantly for the protection of civilians during hostilities. It is life-saving work and should not be misunderstood for anything else.

  • We unequivocally reject antisemitism in all its forms. Hatred, discrimination, and violence directed toward Jewish individuals or communities are intolerable and must be confronted wherever they arise. The dignity, safety, and humanity of every person must be respected and protected, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering understanding and inclusion. Antisemitism has no place in our societies, and we stand in solidarity with all those working to eradicate it.

    ICRC employees are bound by a strict Code of Conduct that sets a clear expectation to respect the dignity of all human beings. This obligation provides the foundation for a strict prohibition of all types of discriminatory conduct such as antisemitism. All employees receive mandatory trainings on the ICRC Code of Conduct. Violations of its provisions can lead to formal disciplinary investigations resulting in sanctions including dismissal.

  • During World War II, the ICRC was active in providing aid to prisoners of war (POWs), facilitating communication between POWs and their families, and monitoring conditions in internment camps. However, the mandate at the time did not explicitly extend to civilians unless governments allowed it.

    The ICRC failed to speak out and more importantly act on behalf of the millions of people who suffered and perished in the death camps, especially the Jewish people targeted, persecuted, and murdered under the Nazi regime. The ICRC has publicly expressed its profound regret and has described this as “the greatest failure in its history”. It fully acknowledges its shortcomings and lack of courage in confronting the horrors of Nazi persecution and genocide. 

    Honoring the memory of Holocaust victims and survivors demands more than words; it requires relentless action to build a world where the dignity and humanity of every individual are not only recognized but fiercely defended—without exception, without hesitation, and without compromise.

    Several steps were taken after World War II, to better protect civilians and prevent atrocities like the Holocaust. These efforts were driven by the lessons learned from the war and the Holocaust’s immense human suffering. First and foremost was the expansion of international humanitarian law (IHL) with the fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 that specifically addressed the protection of civilians in times of conflict, in full recognition of the vulnerabilities they face. 

    The ICRC intensified its efforts in advocating for accountability by engaging and educating governments, armed forces, and the public about IHL and emphasizing the importance for parties to a conflict to adhere to it to prevent genocide and other atrocities. 

    By strengthening its field operations and expanding its global presence, the ICRC has strived to respond more effectively to emerging conflicts and developed mechanisms to provide humanitarian aid, protect civilian populations, engage with armed actors and foster compliance with IHL.

    While these measures cannot make up for failures of the past, we are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that the failures of World War II serve as a solemn, enduring lesson. In strict adherence to our principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity we uphold our policies and actions to the highest standards to ensure aid and protection is provided without regard to race, religion, gender, or political affiliation.

    To gain a deeper understanding, we encourage you to explore our documentation on the Holocaust and the ICRC’s role during this tragic chapter in history. All ICRC archives during World War II have been opened to the public and are accessible to researchers.

  • A document from November 1944 detailing ICRC delegate Dr. Maurice Rossel’s visit to Auschwitz is often misrepresented online.

    Dr. Rossel went – on his own initiative – to the command post at Auschwitz I on September 27, 1944. According to his report, he met the camp commandant outside the barbed wire fence of Auschwitz I. From this limited vantage point, he could see only a few barracks and a small number of prisoners from a distance. He was not permitted inside the camp itself, nor did he visit Birkenau or its extermination facilities.

    During World War II, the ICRC worked to provide aid to prisoners of war (POWs), facilitate communication between them and their families, and monitor conditions in internment camps. However, at the time, our mandate did not explicitly extend to civilians unless governments granted permission.

    Understanding history in its full complexity is essential. We encourage you to explore our extensive documentation on the Holocaust and the ICRC’s role during this devastating chapter in human history. Our archives from World War II are fully open to the public and accessible to researchers, including Dr. Rossel’s original report from his visit to Auschwitz. For context, you can also read this explainer by the Auschwitz Memorial.

  • The ICRC has visited thousands of POWs on both sides of the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. When we visit a place of internment, we assess the conditions of internment and the treatment of POWs. We also share much-awaited news from their families and, whenever possible, provide items such as blankets, warm clothes, personal hygiene items, and books.

    To date the ICRC does not have full access to all POWs. We know many other POWs and civilian internees are still waiting to receive similar visits and we continue our efforts to access all of them, guided by our humanitarian commitment and our mandate under the Geneva Conventions. We also know that each day is full of uncertainty for POWs and their families who are looking for reassurance under the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions the ICRC must be allowed to see all prisoners of war and civilian internees, have access to all places where they're held and be allowed to repeat visits as often as needed. All states are legally obligated to make this happen as they have all signed the Geneva Conventions. The ICRC feels a responsibility to urge states to comply with IHL. However, the ICRC cannot enforce IHL on unwilling States. We call upon all High Contracting Parties to strictly respect and ensure respect for IHL.

    We understand the frustrations of those families who wait in anguish with no news at all. Families have the right to know about the fate of their loved ones, whether they are alive, wounded, or dead. Many have waited anxiously for many long months, and they need answers today. They are impatient, as are we.

    The ICRC collects information about these people and transmits it back to their country of origin, to ensure families know about the fate of their loved ones. Since February 2022, and as of October 2024, we have provided more than 10,200 families with news of their loved ones. This work gives families hope and is an absolute humanitarian imperative.

    We have keenly felt the press of time as the calendar has turned and we have not been able to visit all POWs. Their humanity and dignity cannot be set aside. They require comfort, care, assistance, and protection—just as civilians do. That's why we have been continuously working with parties to the conflict to gain unrestricted access to all places where POWs are held.

Fraudulent e-mails and websites

  • A number of fraudulent websites are falsely using the names or emblems of the Red Cross or Red Crescent to solicit donations for the victims of conflict or natural disaster.

    Please donate through official channels only.

    The only official source of information on the ICRC's activities is our website: www.icrc.org

    There are also fraudulent emails in circulation that invite people to pay for fake employment and training opportunities and for attendance at non-existent conferences.

    If you receive any unsolicited emails that seem suspicious, please treat them with caution.

    Official ICRC email addresses will always end with @icrc.org. If you receive an email that doesn't relate to our domain name or if you are in any doubt, please contact us.

    Read more about scams and false claims misusing the ICRC’s name.

Listen in

Listen in to this podcast on the ICRC, and the purpose and utility of retaining a neutral stance in war, based on first-hand experience from our colleagues.   

Taking action, not sides: The benefits of humanitarian neutrality in war (Human…

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