Visit of the ICRC Regional Director helped strengthen the dialogue on humanitarian cooperation in Africa
On 10 April 2026, Patrick Youssef, Regional Director for Africa of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), concluded his four-day visit to China, which was aimed at reinforcing exchanges with key stakeholders on humanitarian challenges in Africa and exploring opportunities for strengthened cooperation.
Built on longstanding engagement between the ICRC and China, he engaged in meetings and discussions with the authorities, academia, the corporate sector, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), and the diplomatic community. High on the agenda were the raging wars in Africa, including Sudan, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo, and plight of ordinary people being harmed by these wars.
Advancing dialogue on Africa’s humanitarian realities
On 8 April 2026, the ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia brought together African defence attachés, Chinese experts, and ICRC representatives for a roundtable in Beijing on humanitarian and security challenges in Africa.
Youssef outlined key conflict trends and the ICRC’s operational response in Africa. Participants highlighted the importance of comprehensive responses combining capacity-building, technological innovation, and closer cooperation between humanitarian and security actors.
Engaging government, academia and corporate sector
The visit included a series of high-level meetings with Chinese institutions.
On 7 April, Youssef met with Jiang Hui, President of the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC), and Wang Guiqing, Executive Chairman of the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities (ACBASR). Discussions explored ways to better connect corporate social responsibility initiatives with humanitarian action in conflict-affected settings in Africa.
He also met with Tian Feng, Vice President of the China-Africa Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, for an exchange on conflict trends and humanitarian needs across the continent, and opportunities for continued cooperation.
On 8 April, Youssef held discussions with Li Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Exchanges focused on Africa’s evolving humanitarian landscape, including protracted crises, displacement, and regional security dynamics. The ICRC also expressed interest in contributing to future exchanges under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation framework.
Working with the Red Cross Society of China
On 9 April, Patrick Youssef met with Liang Yu, Vice President of the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC). Discussions focused on strengthening operational cooperation in emergency response, humanitarian diplomacy, logistics, and the promotion of international humanitarian law (IHL).
Both sides welcomed progress in ongoing collaboration and reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing preparedness for humanitarian crises and supporting communities affected by conflict in Africa.
This is Youssef’s second visit to China since 2024. It’s expected to highlight the potential for strengthened cooperation as China deepens its engagement in Africa, with a shared interest in keeping humanitarian considerations at the core of engagement on the continent.
