International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Source:

http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/section_discover_the_icrc?OpenDocument 

The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence.

The ICRC has a permanent mandate under international law to take impartial action for prisoners, the wounded and sick, and civilians affected by conflict.

With its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, the ICRC is based in around 80 countries and has a total of more than 12,000 staff.

In situations of conflict the ICRC coordinates the response by national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and their International Federation.

The ICRC is at the origin of both the International Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement and of international humanitarian law, notably the Geneva Conventions.

For Introduction to the International Committee of the Red Cross and its work for people affected by armed conflict: links to publications and videos explaining what the ICRC is, what it does and how it came into being, see:

http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/section_discover_the_icrc?OpenDocument