International Committee of the Red Cross

Somalia | At sunset during Ramadan, families gather to break the fast. For many detainees, those moments pass far from home. In Somalia, nearly 5,000 detainees in 11 places of detention receive food through our annual Ramadan distribution, helping bring a familiar moment of the month closer.

📍 Somalia | At sunset during Ramadan, families gather to break the fast.

For many detainees, those moments pass far from home.

In Somalia, nearly 5,000 detainees in 11 places of detention receive food through our annual Ramadan distribution, helping bring a familiar moment of the month closer.

Lebanon | "Families are once again leaving their homes in fear. Evacuation orders and hostilities are forcing people to flee from many areas of Beirut, southern Lebanon, and Bekaa."

Sally Aoun, ICRC communicator in Lebanon, shares 👇🏽

"Since the hostilities escalated last week between Afghanistan and Pakistan, we have immediately mobilized to meet the urgent needs of people caught in the crossfire or communities who had to flee."

Katharina Ritz, ICRC head of delegation in Afghanistan, shares 👇🏽

Humanitarian pauses, corridors, ceasefires… are they defined by international humanitarian law?

Whatever the term used, warring parties have obligations to protect civilians and aid workers.

@corduladroege.bsky.social explains more 👇🏻

Access to safe water can be life-saving, especially in times of drought. In Ilix village, we rehabilitated this borehole as part of a wider effort that has reached over half a million people, and our work continues in drought-affected communities.

📍 Somalia | Access to safe water can be life-saving, especially in times of drought.

In Ilix village, we rehabilitated this borehole as part of a wider effort that has reached over half a million people, and our work continues in drought-affected communities.

Anti-personnel mines and other explosive remnants of war threaten lives even decades after armed conflicts end. What would you like to know about them? Leave your questions in the comments.

Anti-personnel mines and other explosive remnants of war threaten lives even decades after armed conflicts end. What would you like to know about them?

Share your questions in the comments, and we’ll select some to answer with the head of the Weapon Contamination Unit at the ICRC.

The consequences of urban warfare cannot easily be reversed. Under international humanitarian law, parties to conflict must take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The consequences of urban warfare cannot easily be reversed.

Under international humanitarian law, parties to conflict must take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Armed conflict or violence can affect you when you least expect it.

Here’s what to do if you’re near an area where there are gunshots or explosions

Stay informed. Stay alert. Stay safe. 👇

Students, teachers and schools should always be protected in armed conflict.

🎒 Students are civilians.
✏️ Teachers are too.
🏫 Schools are civilian buildings.

All of them are protected by the rules of war.

Even wars have limits. Always.

"Widening hostilities across the Middle East are putting civilian lives in grave danger. The scale of major military operations flaring across the Middle East risks embroiling the region – and beyond – into another large-scale armed conflict that will overwhelm any humanitarian response. Without urgent steps to de-escalate the situation and respect the rules of war, further civilian lives will be lost. Civilians are already suffering the consequences of war. All parties to armed conflict have an obligation to uphold the rules of war, which are unequivocal. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be spared from hostilities. Schools must remain sanctuaries for learning where children can feel safe and protected from attacks, and hospitals must remain sanctuaries for saving lives. Medical personnel and first responders, such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, must be protected in all circumstances and be able to carry out their work safely. All parties must allow and facilitate safe and unrestricted access for impartial humanitarian assistance to reach those in need."

"Widening hostilities across the Middle East are putting civilian lives in grave danger. Without urgent steps to de-escalate the situation and respect the rules of war, further civilian lives will be lost."

Mirjana Spoljaric, ICRC president: ms.spr.ly/63329QdvPP

When cities are bombed, shelled, hit by airstrikes, rockets, or artillery fire, it’s the civilians who suffer. When wars are fought in cities, an estimated 90% of casualties are civilians.

When wars are fought in cities, an estimated 90% of casualties are civilians.

Homes without families.
Schools without students.
Patients without medicines.
Hospitals without electricity.
Neighborhoods without people.

Heavy explosive weapons shouldn't be used in cities.

Not every means or method of warfare is permitted. Under IHL, the use of herbicides is prohibited when it risks disproportionate civilian harm, targets non-military objects, or causes severe environmental damage. All that is crucial to civilians' survival must be protected.

Not every means or method of warfare is permitted.

Under IHL, the use of herbicides is prohibited when it risks disproportionate civilian harm, targets non-military objects, or causes severe environmental damage.

All that is crucial to civilians' survival must be protected.

"We are witnessing a profound escalation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Civilians, the wounded and others not – or no longer – taking part in the fighting must be protected, and humanitarian assistance must reach all those affected. Hospitals must be able to operate and access to essential services must be guaranteed. Together with colleagues from the Afghan Red Crescent Society and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, and in coordination with state authorities, we are preparing an operational response to humanitarian needs on the ground.”

We are witnessing a profound escalation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Mirjana Spoljaric, ICRC president, calls for restraint and de-escalation amidst hostilities.

Read more: ms.spr.ly/63327Qb0iz

Today, we supported the repatriation of human remains of fallen soldiers between Russia and Ukraine, as agreed by the parties. This marks the 62nd operation of its kind since 2022. Repatriations are a vital step towards identifying the deceased and bringing long-awaited answers to families left in uncertainty. Though receiving confirmation of death is devastating, it gives families the chance to mourn, honor, and lay their relatives to rest with dignity. We remain prepared to continue supporting this humanitarian effort. Families have the right to know the fate of their missing loved ones.

Today, we supported the repatriation of human remains of fallen soldiers between Russia and Ukraine, as agreed by the parties.

This marks the 62nd operation of its kind since 2022, and we remain prepared to continue supporting this humanitarian effort 👇🏽

Syria: ICRC facilitates release and transfer of 86 detainees between Damascus and Sweida Damascus - Today, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the release of 86 detainees between Damascus and Sweida. Of those released, 61 were transferred to Sweida and 25 to Damascus.

Syria | Our teams facilitated the release and transfer of 86 detainees between Damascus and Sweida.

We carried out the operation at the request of – and in close coordination with – the parties, acting in our role as a neutral intermediary.

Read more: ms.spr.ly/63325Qw2y5

What is the ICRC Advisory Service? | International Humanitarian Law YouTube video by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The @icrc.org Advisory Service on International Humanitarian Law #IHL supports states in translating their international obligations into domestic legislation, policy and practice to create a universal culture of compliance with #IHL.
Here’s how👇

youtu.be/bPJT2H4czj4

Water and habitat When conflict impedes access to clean water, safe shelter or a sustainable living environment, the consequences are severe and far-reaching.

💧 Water is life, but in war, it is often a casualty.

Too often, armed conflicts damage infrastructure, disrupt supplies, prevent operators from working, and spread disease through contamination.

Without water, entire communities are at risk.

Learn more: www.icrc.org/en/what-we-d...

📍Haiti | Intense armed clashes are impacting the population across Port-au-Prince. We remain on the ground, equipping community health workers with first aid training & the supplies they need. When treating gunshot wounds, every second matters. There is no time to wait.

📍Haiti | Intense armed clashes are impacting the population across Port-au-Prince. We remain on the ground, equipping community health workers with first aid training & the supplies they need.

When treating gunshot wounds, every second matters. There is no time to wait.

Call for Submissions Humanitarian Law & Policy blog - ICRC “Delivering for people in conflict settings: reflecting on an evolving humanitarian landscape” Short abstract, full 1,800 word submission or audio pitch Admitted languages: English, French and Spanish Deadline: 13 March

The @icrclawpolicy.bsky.social blog is seeking contributions for a new series:

They welcome diverse perspectives from practitioners, scholars, and those with lived experience on the future of humanitarian action.

Learn more: ms.spr.ly/63325QZgk1

Afghanistan | Safe water now reaches patients and health workers every day at an @ARCS health centre, through a new well, a solar-powered water system and dignified waiting areas we supported. This is part of a wider effort that brought clean drinking water to over 775,000 people across the country in urban areas in 2025, and our support continues.

📍 Afghanistan | Safe water now reaches patients and health workers at the Afghan Red Crescent Society health centre through a well and solar-powered system we supported.

This is a part of a wider effort that brought clean drinking water to 775,000+ people in urban areas in 2025.

Armenia | Valya dreams of the day her family will stand together by the lake once more, their reflection finally whole again. In 2025, we supported 125 relatives of missing persons across the country, as their long wait for answers continues.

📍 Armenia | Valya dreams of the day her family will stand together by the lake once more, their reflection finally whole again.

In 2025, we supported 125 relatives of missing persons across the country, as their long wait for answers continues.

Centrales électriques, réseaux d'eau, gazoducs : Le droit international humanitaire est clair : il s'agit d'infrastructures civiles et elles doivent être protégées contre les attaques directes. Toutes les précautions doivent être prises pour les épargner.

Le droit international humanitaire est clair : les civils et les infrastructures civiles fournissant des services essentiels doivent être protégés.

International humanitarian law is clear: Civilians and civilian infrastructure providing essential services must be protected. Even wars have limits.

International humanitarian law is clear: Civilians and civilian infrastructure providing essential services must be protected.

Even wars have limits.

Protecting civilians in good faith: a joint symposium on the updated ICRC Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention When law is read in good faith, it becomes a shield. GC IV’s purpose is simple: protect human beings in war.

⚖️We're delighted to co-host a joint symposium with @justsecurity.org and @ejiltalk.bsky.social on the updated @icrc.org Commentary on the GC IV.

Following 5 years of research, it consolidates 70+ years of law and practice to guide civilian protection today.

Read more → bit.ly/3OiPkOU

Reading the Updated Commentary on GCIV in an Imperial Moment The updated ICRC Commentary of the Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV) is a monumental, if not timely, achievement. At its core, it provides a set of very useful legal interpretations on an enormous body ...

Reading the Updated Commentary on GCIV in an Imperial Moment | by Boyd van Dijk

This post is part of a symposium is being run in collaboration with @justsecurity.org and the @icrc.org

Are you interested in international humanitarian law?

Learn more about customary #IHL in our database, which has just been updated with additional practice from Cambodia and Croatia.

Learn more: ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary...

"Almost every family has endured the death of a loved one, injury, displacement, or the extreme anxiety of having no news about a captured or missing relative. There is nothing abstract about the pain and trauma you witness during a visit like this. The stories and images are harrowing. Unfortunately, the humanitarian needs resulting from the escalation of the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine remain immense. We will continue to work hard to deliver the assistance that is most needed.”Almost every family has endured the death of a loved one, injury, displacement, or the extreme anxiety of having no news about a captured or missing relative. There is nothing abstract about the pain and trauma you witness during a visit like this. The stories and images are harrowing. Unfortunately, the humanitarian needs resulting from the escalation of the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine remain immense. We will continue to work hard to deliver the assistance that is most needed.”

Ukraine | During a five-day visit, ICRC's Director-General witnessed the suffering of civilians caused by the international armed conflict.

As the visit ends, Pierre Krähenbühl calls for full respect of IHL and ICRC access to all prisoners of war.

Read more: ms.spr.ly/63322QX7cA

Ethiopia | Displacement caused by armed violence often means the loss of homes and sources of income. In West Wellega, in the Oromia region, we work with affected families to restore their livelihoods, including replacing essential assets so communities can become self-reliant again.

📍 Ethiopia | Displacement caused by armed violence often means the loss of homes and sources of income.

In West Wellega, in the Oromia region, we work with affected families to restore their livelihoods, including replacing essential assets so communities can become self-reliant again.

It doesn’t matter in which language you say it. In armed conflicts, this rule always applies the same.

No matter what language you speak, the laws of war mean the same thing.

Respect them.

South Africa: ICRC calls on states to support humanitarian action From the Swiss Consulate in Cape Town, South Africa, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) presented its annual appeal to carry out humanitarian operations in more than 20 African countr...

📍South Africa | Around 40% of ICRC operations are in Africa. When humanitarian space shrinks, support from states and partners is key.

Patrick Youssef, our regional director for Africa, addressed authorities and diplomats on the humanitarian situation.

Learn more: www.icrc.org/en/article/s...