Humanity in action: What was our impact in 2020?

Scroll down to see how you helped people in need.

Download the full "Humanity in action" report here

No matter who we are or where we live, we want to give our families enough food and water, a safe place to live, and the chance of a better future. But this is a daily struggle for people living in countries ravaged by war and violence. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross saves lives on all sides of a conflict. Our emblem is a universal symbol of hope. Our neutrality facilitates ceasefires and allows life-saving humanitarian access. 

We go where others cannot.

humanity in action
Alyona SYNENKO/ICRC

2020: Where you helped and what it cost

 

We worked in more than 100 countries 

1.69

billion Swiss francs

field expenditure in 2020 

93.5%

of every donation went to the field

6.5% was used at headquarters

 

Numbers in detail

 

Top ten operations
by expenditure (in CHF millions)

Syria Arab Republic 155.6
Yemen 115.5
South Sudan 113.3
Iraq 99.6
Nigeria 81.9
Democratic Republic of the Congo 78.7
Afghanistan 72.5
Somalia 64.9
Ukraine 63.8
Lebanon 53.9

Expenditure
by programme

22.6% Economic security
11.6% Water and habitat
7.5% Primary health care
10.8% First aid and hospital care
5.1% Physical rehabilitation
0.7% Weapon contamination
6.8% Restoring family links
2.1% Forensics
11.3% Activities for detainees
14.4% Protecting the vulnerable and promoting the law
5.8% Partnering with National Societies
1.4% Other 

The people you helped, in figures

Physical rehabilitation

298,460

people benefited from physical
rehabilitation services

327

physical rehabilitation projects
received ICRC support

Learn more >

Health care

599

hospitals received supplies
and other assistance

4,130,719

patients had their hospital
costs covered

Learn more >

Restoring family links

1,504,199

phone calls were made between
family members

1,049

people, including 773 children,
were reunited with their families

Learn more >

Economic security

4,214,606

people received food
or assistance for buying food

1,006,645

people had
their incomes boosted

Learn more >

 

Overview of what we do >

 

How you helped

The stories of survival, recovery and growth highlighted here represent just a fraction of what was achieved in 2020. These stories – and many more like them – are only possible thanks to supporters and partners like you. We thank you.

View "Your support is Humanity in action" video

NAVIGATING WHEN YOU'RE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

How do you practice social distancing when you're visually impaired? At the Foyer Colonel-Daniel-de Rouffignac in Cameroon, the ICRC and the Cameroon Red Cross provided handwashing stations and hygiene items and taught the young people how to stay safe.

CLEAN WATER FOR HEALTH

"You can tell people to wash their hands all you want, but they need soap and water to do it," says Falmata, a traditional birth attendant in Dikwa, Nigeria. With the ICRC's help, boreholes were drilled to provide water for the growing population.

THE SMILE THAT LIT UP OUR 2020

"Mama, I can walk again!" Htet Oto yelled excitedly after taking a few therapy sessions from the ICRC's physical rehabilitation programme in Myitkyina, Myanmar. Htet was born with part of his right leg missing. But now, he's able to run and play his favourite sport, football.

THANKS TO YOU

 Last year, you enabled us to respond to the urgent needs of individuals, families and communities across more than 100 countries.

Together, we are humanity in action.

Download the full "Humanity in action" report here

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