International Committee of the Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross, usually known as the ICRC, was founded in Geneva in 1863 after Henry Dunant’s account of the Battle of Solferino inspired a call for better care for wounded soldiers. From those early efforts grew an organization devoted to helping victims of war and to promoting the laws that aim to limit suffering during armed conflict.

Over time, the ICRC became one of the central humanitarian institutions in the world. It is especially known for visiting prisoners of war and detainees, helping families reconnect across front lines, supporting medical care and relief efforts, and working to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law.

Its influence has been felt across generations, from the first Geneva Convention to major relief work during the World Wars and beyond. The ICRC received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1917 and 1944 for its wartime humanitarian work, and again in 1963 during its centenary year, a sign of how deeply its mission has shaped modern ideas of human dignity in war.