The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Z Zurich Foundation have entered a multi-year collaboration to support and expand mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in emergencies. This collaboration will help the ICRC further advance its work in strengthening emergency MHPSS capacities, integrating mental health considerations into humanitarian response, and developing key tools to improve care for conflict-affected populations.
Mental health needs are among the most urgent yet under-resourced aspects of humanitarian crises. The ICRC’s leadership in this space will catalyze scalable, multilingual tools and practical resources that aims to empower frontline responders and decision-makers alike. It’s a bold step toward systemic change.
The ICRC’s MHPSS program focuses on reducing psychological distress, fostering resilience, and supporting recovery for people affected by armed conflict, violence, and displacement.
The support from the Z Zurich Foundation will contribute to developing practical guidance to help ensure MHPSS activities are effectively integrated into emergency measures across diverse contexts. The capacity building element of this collaboration will help drive sustainable impact and resilience.
"Mental health is a cornerstone of humanitarian response—just as vital as physical health when lives are disrupted by conflict and crisis," said Olivier Ray, Director of Movement, Mobilization and Partnerships at the ICRC. “Through this multi-year collaboration with the Z Zurich Foundation, we are better positioned to enhance our emergency response capacities and ensure mental health support reaches those who need it most.”
The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to improving wellbeing and dignity for communities affected by crises, reflecting the ICRC’s integrated approach to humanitarian action.
“With the ICRC, we are putting invisible needs front and center, By embedding MHPSS into the core of emergency preparedness and humanitarian delivery, it is no longer just about reach. It’s about transformation” said Manon Parmentier, Head of Crisis Response, Advocacy & Communications at the Z Zurich Foundation. “As crises grow and resources shrink, collaboration across sectors isn’t optional—it’s the only way forward.”
By joining forces, the ICRC and Z Zurich Foundation aim to ensure that mental health support remains a critical and accessible component of humanitarian response, helping individuals and communities recover and rebuild after crises.
