International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Appeals via the Canadian Red Cross Society (CRCS)

Published purpose

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization that draws its mandate from the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols of 1977. The humanitarian mission of ICRC is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and provide them with assistance. The 2009 ICRC Emergency Appeals focus on programming in the following key areas: assistance (54.9%); protection (18.4%); preventive action (13.5%); and cooperation with National Societies (8.3%). For example, ICRC ensures access to water and sanitation, and promotes basic health care by taking emergency action and supporting existing structures/facilities. The aim of enhancing cooperation with National Societies is to increase their operational capabilities to optimize the humanitarian work in countries affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence.