ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Published purpose

24 March, 2011 - 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 ICRC’s primary mission is to help to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence. The ICRC seeks to provide these victims with assistance, and prevent further suffering by promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. The humanitarian consequences of the conflict in northern Yemen and the situation in the south are very serious and are exacerbating the pre-existing vulnerabilities in the country. The conflict has caused thousands of casualties, large-scale population displacement, lost livelihoods, and extensive destruction or damage to housing and basic water infrastructure. With CIDA support, the ICRC aims to work in close partnership with the Yemen Red Crescent Society to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by the armed conflict in the north and by the situation in the south. It is expected that they respond to the emergency needs of the most vulnerable people by providing access to water and sanitation, food, essential household items, such as hygiene kits, and access to health services. The ICRC also aims to rehabilitate damaged water and sanitation infrastructure and to support local health centres.