ICRC STRATEGY 2019–2022

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Front cover:Maiduguri, Nigeria. This woman fled her home in Dikwa because of the conflict in the north-eastern part of the country. She now lives in an informal camp.

Back cover:Lulingu Tschionka Airport, Democratic Republic of the Congo.After six years apart, a girl is reunited with her parents thanks to help from the ICRC.

ICRC STRATEGY 2019–2022

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THE EVOLVING OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

1 Inthisdocument,theterm‘armedconflictandothersituationsofviolence’willbeshortenedto‘conflictandviolence’foreaseofreading.PleasenotethattheICRCuses‘othersituationsofviolence’(hereafter‘violence’)torefertosituationsofcollectiveviolence,perpetratedbyoneorseveralgroups,thatdonotreachthethresholdofan‘armedconflict’,butthatmayhavesignificanthumanitarianconsequences.

THE EXPANDING AND PERVASIVE EFFECTS OF ARMED CONFLICT AND OTHER SITUATIONS OF VIOLENCE1

Conflictandviolencecontinuetocauseimmensesufferingthroughouttheworld.Whilethemethodshavenotfundamentallychangedoverthelastdecade,majorconflictsaredrivingglobalinstability,spreadingfragility,triggeringforceddisplacementandlong-termdisruptionwithinsocietiesandsocialsystemsandcreatingmassivehumanitarianneeds.Formanyyearsnow,respondingtoneedsrelatedtohealth,nutrition,shelter,waterandsanitationhasbeenattheheartofhumanitarianassist-ance;however,owingtothedisruptiveeffectsofconflictandviolence,amuchbroaderrangeofvul-nerabilitieshasbeguntoemerge,givingrisetoadditionalneeds.Inmanycountries,socioeconomicdevelopmenthasresultedinexpandedaccesstohealthcareandeducation,andtechnologicalprogresshasliftedmanypeopleoutofpoverty;evenso,millionsofothersremaintrappedinaviciouscycleofviolenceandunderdevelopmentthatisoftenlinkedtoprotractedconflict.

Theoperatingenvironment is furthercomplicatedbypartiestoarmedconflictandotheractorsfuellingviolenceandoftenoperatingwithin coalitions that transcend national borders.Thesecoalitionshavebecomemoreassertiveinthepursuitoftheir interestsandalsomore fragmentedandvolatile in theway theycoalesce.Conflict-relatedviolence regularlyblendswithcriminality,andiscontinuouslyfedbywareconomiesandthe political exploitation of ethnic and religious differences.

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Lanao del Sur, Marawi City. Portrait of a teacher who continued holding classes despite the ongoing conflict.

Battlefields are less clearly defined as they increasingly move

into urban areas and proliferate in the digital sphere.

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Battlefieldsarelessclearlydefinedastheyincreasinglymoveintourbanareasandproliferateinthedigitalsphere.ConventionalweaponscontinuetobereadilyavailableandnewweaponsarebecomingmoreaccessibletoabroadrangeofStateactors,non-Statearmedgroups(NSAGs)andindividuals,puttinggrowingnumbersofpeopleinharm’sway.

THE HUMAN COST OF WARThehumancost,directand indirect,exactedbyconflictandviolenceisappalling.Everyday,hundredsofthousandsofcivil-iansthroughouttheworldarepersecuted,abused,displaced,woundedorkilledand regularlydenied the fundamentalsofhumanity.Thenumberof civiliandeathscausedbyconflictsdoubledbetween2010and2016andthenumberofpeopledis-placed,missingorbehindbarsasaresultofconflictandviolenceisgreaterthanatanypoint inseveraldecades.Thepotentialuseofbiologicalandotherweaponsofmassdestructionandtheuseofchemicalweaponsisadramaticsetbackfortheinternationalcommunity,asisthere-emergenceoffamineandcholera,whichthreatensentirecommunities.Thedisregardforinternationalhumani-tarianlaw(IHL)andotherfundamentalrulesthatprotectpeopleisbotharootcauseandasymptomonadynamiccontinuumofconflictandviolence.GreaterconnectivitymakesinformationaboutIHLviolations,violenceandinjusticeinstantlyaccessibletomorepeople;ignoringthemordenyingtheirexistenceisthereforebecomingincreasinglyunacceptabletothepeopleaffectedandtotheinter-nationalcommunity.

Actsofextremeviolenceagainstcivilianshavebecomecommonplace,andmas-siveciviliancasualtiesaretoooftenregardedasaninevitableconsequenceofwar.Armedactorsregularlypursuetheirmilitarystrategieswithlittleornorespectforthelawsofwar.Counter-terrorismmeasuresleadtounending‘statesofemer-gency’,inwhichfundamentalrightsarerestrictedordenied,andhumanitarianimperativesaresystematicallyoverriddenbysecurityobjectives.Insuchanenvir-onment,politicaldiscourseoftenbecomestoxic,dehumanizingvictimsanderod-ingcompassionforhumansuffering.ThisadverselyinfluencesStatesandotheractors’willingnesstoupholdtheirobligations.Incountriesnotaffectedbyarmedconflictbutbyextremelyhighlevelsofviolence,particularlyinterritorieswhereStateauthorityisweakorbeingchallenged,entirecommunitiessufferthesevereandchronicconsequences,oftenwithoutanysupportfromeithertheauthoritiesortraditionalhumanitariananddevelopmentorganizations.Theseprotectionfailurescausepopulationdisplacementsonamassivescaleandresultinthewidespreadperceptionthattheinternationalcommunityiscollectivelyfailingthepeopleandcommunitiesaffected.

An ICRC forensic specialist examining a skull.

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The human cost, direct and indirect, exacted by conflict and violence

is appalling.

Acts of extreme violence against

civilians have become commonplace,

and massive civilian casualties are

too often regarded as an inevitable

consequence of war.

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A MORE FRAGMENTED AND POLARIZED WORLDPreventing,respondingtoorendingconflictandviolencehasbeenmademoredifficultbyanincreas-inglyfragmentedinternationalorderandtheattritionofdiplomaticsolutions.Politicalpolarization atglobalandregionallevelsisfeedingconflictdynamics.Theinternationalcommunityoftenlacksthe resolve to find political solutions and instead turns to humanitarian actors for short-term remediestothemostseriousconsequencesofconflict.Morealarmingly,thepoliticizationofprin-cipledhumanitarianactionthreatenstofurtherreducetheneutralspacerequiredforrespondingtothe consequencesofincreasinglycomplexandintractableconflicts.Intheabsenceofsuchhumanitarianspace,decades-oldconflictsremainwithnoendinsight,andnewerconflictsgraduallymorphintoprotractedcrises,characterizedbylong-termsocietalchallenges,highlevelsofviolence,povertyandeconomicunderdevelopment,andfailuresofgovernance.

Short-termhumanitarianproblemscausedbyconflictandviolencearemadeworsebylonger-termtrendslikeclimatechange,populationgrowth,urbanizationanduneveneconomicdevelopment.Theeconomicinequalitiesbetweenthehavesandthehave-notsiswideninginmanyfragilecontextsandthelatterincreasinglyhaveinstantaccesstoinformationandimagesthatdeepentheirsenseofsocialinjusticeanddeprivation.Inequalityacrossdifferentgroupsalsoexacerbatespolitical,ethnic,andreligioustensions,resultingingreatersocialandpoliticalinstability.

Suchtensionsand injusticeextendto issuesofgender,whereoneseesthecontrastbetweenthepersistenceofsexualandgender-basedviolenceandagrowingresistancetooppressiveandharm-fulgenderpracticesacrossentiresocieties. Inconflict-affectedcontextsandbeyond,sexualand gender-basedviolencehasbecomenotonlyamatterofhumanitarianconcernbutalsoakeypoliticalissue,andonetowhichhumanitarianactorsareexpectedtorespondproactively,byprotectingpeoplefromharassment,abuseandviolence.

Governance systems also seem to be failing atmultiple levels, causing a crisis of trust betweenauthoritiesandpopulations.Theresurgenceofpopulistpoliciesinmanycountriesisaccompaniedbyinward-lookingandxenophobicrhetoricthatchallengesestablishedareasofinternationalcooperation.Theverysametechnologicalachievementsthathaveempoweredindividualsandcommunitiesarealsocreatingunprecedented–andoftennotyetfullyunderstood–riskstotheirsafety,freedomandrights.

THE PARADOX OF PROGRESSWhenallthesedynamicsintersect,theeffectsarepervasive,weakeningexistingsystemsandunder-miningthecopingmechanismsofcommunitiesaffectedbyconflictandviolence.Theycanturnthefront linesofconflict intoacontinuumofviolenceandinstabilityacrossgeographicalandsocialboundaries.TheexpansionanddeepeningoffrontlinesofconflictareexacerbatingindividualandstructuralvulnerabilitiesandturningaffectedStates, includingrelativelystablemiddle-income countries,intoheightened‘statesoffragility’.

Ontheotherhand,withrapidsocioeconomicandtechnologicalprogressandthenewopportunitiesitcreates,therehasneverbeenasmuchpotentialforfindingsolutionstothecomplexproblemsconfrontingus.Thephysicalandvirtualworldsaremerging intoaugmentedrealities,withpos-sibletransformationsthatarenotyetfullyunderstood.Newactorsareemergingonthepoliticalandhumanitarianlandscapes,tocontestthetraditionaldistributionofpowerandtochallengeconven-tionalaidpolicieswithinnovativeapproachesandstrategiesthatareoftenrootedinlocalactionandcommunitypartnerships.

Despite significant challenges, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other principled humanitarian organizations are still able to successfully carve out and negotiate thehumanitarianspacerequiredtoprotectandassistmillionsofpeopleaffectedbyconflictandvio-lence.RecentstudiesanddirectobservationshowthatIHLisrespectedandimplementedinmanysituations,andthatitprovidestheframeworkfortheprotectionandassistanceeffortsofnumerouslocal,regionalandinternationalactors.Thisisproofthatarmedactors,eveninthemostchallengingcontexts,canbeinfluencedandpersuadedtorespecthumanitarianprinciplesandthelawsofwar.

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A GUIDING COMPASSTheICRC’sInstitutionalStrategy2019–2022providesacompassforactionforthenextfouryears. Itguidestheorganizationinbothpreventingandalleviatingthesufferingofpeopleandcommunities affected,and indeliveringrelevantandsustainablehumanitarian impact.TheStrategy is rootedin therichhistoryand legacyof the ICRC,solidlygrounded inthepresentrealityandresolutely forward-looking.Wehopethatitwillprovidethenecessaryguidancefororientingtheactivitiesanddevelopmentoftheorganization,inspiringstaff,donorsandotherstakeholders,andrespondingpro-activelytothechallengesandnewopportunitiesthatwearelikelytoencounterfrom2019to2022.

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURETheICRC’sStrategy2015–2018hashelpedtheorganizationtosustainthedevelopmentofitsactiv-ities inparallelwiththegrowthoftheglobalhumanitariansector,andtoensuretheirrelevancetothoseaffectedbyconflictandviolence.Notwithstandingthechallengingoperatingenvironmentdescribedabove,theICRChasmanagedtostrengthenitsabilitytoprotectandassistpeopleandtoestablishstrongersynergiesbetweenlegal,operationalandpolicyactivitiesthroughouttheorgan-ization.OurhumanitariandiplomacyandpublicpositioninghaveenabledtheICRCtosecurefurtherpoliticalandfinancialsupport.StrongerpartnershipswithintheInternationalRedCrossandRedCrescentMovement(Movement),andwithotherhumanitarianorganizations,theprivatesector,pro-fessionalnetworksandacademia,havehelpedtheICRCbecomemorecapableofrespondingpromptlyandeffectivelytothegrowingneedsofpopulationsaffected.

ICRC

Karachi, Pakistan. ICRC training in de-escalation of violence for medical staff at the Jinnah postgraduate medical centre.

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THE ICRC’S MISSION

“The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of the victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.

The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.

Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva Conventions and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It directs and coordinates the international activities conducted by the Movement in armed conflicts and other situations of violence.”

ThismissionstatementwillcontinuetoprovidetheframeworkfortheICRC’sdevelopment.ThecorestrengthsandthedistinctivecharacteroftheICRC,developedovermorethan150years,canbeseeninitsabilitytokeepIHLandhumanitarianprinciplesaliveintheworstofcircumstances,toprotecttherightsanddignityofpeopleaffected,toalleviatetheirsuffering,andtoestablishandmaintaintrustfulrelationshipswithcombatants,governmentsandlocalcommunitiesinordertocarveoutthehumanitarianspacenecessarytofulfilitsmission.TheICRC’sabilitytomaintainastrictlyhumani-tarianapproach,whileoperatinginsomeofthemosttestingpoliticalandsecurityenvironments, isatthecoreofitspastsuccessandofcriticalrelevancetoitsfuture.

Inordertofulfilitsmissionandchartitswayforward,theICRCwillcontinuetorelyon:

• theFundamentalPrinciples–especiallyimpartiality,neutralityandindependence–which arethemostpowerfultoolsforguidingandsafeguardinghumanitarianaction

• ourabilitytoputtheseprinciplesintoactionandtoensurethesafetyofourstaff,sothat wecancontinuetobeclosetopeopleandtheirneedsandtoadaptthehumanitarianresponseaccordingly

• bothourproximitytoarmedactorsandotherstakeholdersonthefrontlinesofconflictand ourcapacitytoengageinaconstructivedialoguetomaintainourlicencetooperate

• ourengagementwithStatesandNSAGsinordertoensureimplementationofIHLandnegotiatesafeandsecurehumanitarianspaces

• ourengagementwiththeHighContractingPartiestotheGenevaConventionsandotherstakeholdersinordertointerpretanddevelopthenormsofIHLandotherrelevantrules asapracticalandexperience-basedtoolstopreservethefundamentalsofhumanityintimes ofconflictandviolence

• ourcombinationofprofessionalskills,operationalexpertise,humanitariandiplomacy andpublicengagementwithstakeholdersandaudiencesabouthumanitarianconcerns anddilemmas,theICRC’spoliciesandactionsandtheirimpact.

Maiwut, South Sudan. At a hospital supported by the ICRC. Kay greets an ICRC surgeon before he has his operation.

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TheICRCwillhavetonavigatethedilemmasandtensionsthatarisefromoperatinginhighlycomplexenvironments.Itwilltherefore:

• maintainitsneutral,impartialandindependentcharacter,whileprovidinghumanitarianassistanceandprotectionwithinanincreasinglypoliticizedenvironment

• continuetonavigateandmanagedilemmasandtensionsbetweenprincipledactionandpragmatism,confidentialityandadvocacy,whileoperatingasaninternationalorganizationdeliveringverylocalresponses,anddischargingitsmandatefromStatestoengageimpartiallywithallactorsofconflictandviolence,includingtheadversariesofthosesameStates

• strengthenitsabilitytoworkatmultiplelevels,fromlife-savingemergencyoperationstolonger-term,systemicandinnovativeactivitiesthataddresssomeofthemostserioussources ofvulnerabilityandfragility

• continuetoaddressissuesarisingfromconventionalwarfareandviolence,whilealsopreparingitselftodealwithchallengesassociatedwithcybersecurityandtheconductofhostilitiesinthedigitalsphereandtorespondtotherelatedhumanitarianconsequences

• embraceinnovationanddigitaltransformationtobecomeamoreflexibleandagileorganization,onethatrespondsmorepromptlyandeffectivelytothechangingneedsofpopulationsaffectedwithoutlosingthehuman,personalandinformalcharacterofitsinteractionwiththepopulationsandcommunitiesaffected

• focusonitskeypriorities–withregardtohumanitarianaction–andengageinpartnershipsthatbuildonthecomplementarityofskillsandmandatesofotherhumanitarianactorsforgreaterimpact

• influencethehumanitariansectortostrengthenitscapacitytorespondtothehumanitarianconsequencesofcomplexcrises,whilemaintaininganddevelopingitsownprincipledoperationalcapacitytoresponddirectlytotheneedsofpopulationsaffected.

Psychosocial support from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in Pisky village in the Donetsk area, Ukraine.

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PEOPLE AND THEIR NEEDS AT THE CENTRE OF THE ICRC’S HUMANITARIAN ACTIONPEOPLE AT THE HEART OF OUR MISSIONIndividuals,householdsandcommunitiesaffectedbyconflictandviolenceareattheheartoftheICRC’smission.Savinglives,alleviatingsufferingandrespondingtopeople’sneedsremainthedriv-ingforceoftheICRC’shumanitarianengagementandthefocusofitscommitmentsandefforts.Justasthenatureandmeansofwarandviolencechange,sotoodotheneedsandcopingmechanismsof thepeopleaffected.Butagreatdealofhumanitarianaction isstill largelydirectedbyStates,donorpoliciesandinternationalhumanitarianagencies,whichdefinetheparametersandprioritiesofhumanitarianactionandmeasureitsrelevanceandresults.Thepopulationsaffectedandtheirneedsmightbetakenintoaccount,butpeoplethemselvesarerarelyatthecentreofthedesignoftheformalhumanitarianresponse.

Today,toomanyvulnerablepeoplefallintoa‘protectiongap’becausetheydonotfitwithinexistingprogrammaticcriteria.Othersareleftunassistedandunprotectedbecausetheyaresilent(orhavebeensilenced),invisible,hiddenoruninformedaboutpreventionorprotectionoptions.Facilitatingthemeaningfulparticipationofpeopleaffectedandensuringthattheyhavespaceandagencywithinthehumanitarianresponseiscriticalinaddressingthissituation.Thischangewillrequiretime,newapproaches,practicaltoolsandtechniques,andadeepertransformationoftraditionalstructures.Thiswillincludeashiftawayfromacultureoftop-downoperationalcontroltooneofgenuineengagementwithpopulationsandcommunitiesaffectedandthelocalactorsandinfluencerswithintheirenviron-ment.Specificapproacheswillbeneededtopreventorminimizetheadverseeffectsofunequalpowerrelationsbetweeninternationalactorsandvulnerablecommunities,andbetweenthedifferentsocial,ageorgendergroupswithinthesecommunities.

PEOPLE AFFECTED ARE EXPERTS ON THEIR OWN SITUATION Byrecognizingandrespectingthefactthatcommunitiesaffectedareexpertsontheirownsituation,firstrespondersandagentsofchange,theICRCaimstogobeyonditstraditionalneedsanalysisand

subsequentprovisionofassistance–goods,cashandservices–tobuildaresponsethattakesintoaccountevolvingpriorities,irrespectiveofwhetherpeople’sneeds liewithin itsexistingportfolioofoperationalresponses.

TheICRCwillcontinuetoassessandseektoaddress, in linewithitsprinciples,needsarisingfromconflictandviolence.Itwillalsoadaptandevolve,bothinthedeliveryofitshumani-tarianresponseandinthescopeof itsactivities,particularly

inconflictsettingsand‘forgotten’contexts,whereithasauniqueabilitytonegotiatehumanitarianspacesandwhereitisoftenthefirstandlastinternationalactorpresent.

Thisapproachopensupaspaceforpopulationsaffectedtoarticulatetheirneeds,telltheirstoriesasindividualsandcommunities,andhavetheirperspectivesandknowledgeofthecontextincorp-oratedinthedesign,implementationandreviewoftheICRC’shumanitarianresponses.Inprotractedcrises,people’sabilitytodealwithchangingthreatsandvulnerabilities–aswellastheircopingmechanisms,agencyandinfluencewithinthecontext–changesovertimeandvarieswiththeirstatusandcircumstances.Soundculturalandcontextualunderstandingisvital,andtherecannot beasingleapproach.Forinstance,womenmayfacespecificprotectionissuesinconflictsettings,suchasadisproportionateriskofsexualviolenceandotherdangersexacerbatedbyculturalnorms,their

...recognizing and respecting the fact that communities affected are

experts on their own situation, first responders and agents of change...

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genderandtheirperceivedplaceinsociety.Yetinmanycasestheinfluential,informalrolesthatwomenplayarecriticalinupholdingsocialcohesionandpreventingfurtherdisruption.Suchimportantcontributionsmustbebetteracknowledgedandleveragedtobuildresilientcommunities.

Weacknowledgethatabroadrangeofstakeholders(peopleandcommunitiesaffected,StatesandNSAGs,donors,staff,NationalSocietiesandpartners)mayfacilitate,con-trol,deliverorblockprincipledhumanitarianaction.Withthatinmind,wewillengagenotonlywithpeopleandcommunitiesaffected,butalsowithhostcommunities,StatesandNSAGstoinfluencetheupholdingofIHL,alleviatethesufferingcreatedbyconflictandviolenceanddeliverconcretepreventionandprotectionoutcomes.Wealsorecog-nizethattheICRCisbutoneactorwithinthebroaderhumanitarianecosystem,andwillthereforeseektobuildformalandinformalconnectionsthatenableamorerelevantandsustainablehumanitarianresponseandcreategreaterimpactforpeopleaffected.

OPEN, ACCESSIBLE AND WILLING TO LISTENTomakethesechanges,theICRCneedstoremainopen,accessibleandinterestedintheviewsofpeopleaffected.Crucialreflectionsincludedeterminingwhoshouldbeconsulted.Whorepresentsalegitimateexpressionofneeds?HowshouldtheICRCengagewiththosewhoaremostvulnerableandmanagelocalintermediaries?HowshouldtheICRCrespondwhenassessingneedsisdifficultandwhenitdoesnotyethaveresponsesforemergingneeds?HowdoestheICRCbuildtrustandabroadconsensusinhighlyvolatilesituations?Howdoesitstructureoperationaldecision-makingprocesses?HowcantheICRCusenewtechnologiestofacilitateengagementwithpeopleaffected,andmakesuretheirviewsandvoicesareheardandbecomemoreresponsivetothem?Howcanweaddresssecuritychallengesaswellaspolitical,socialandbureaucraticobstaclesatthelocallevel?Andhowcanweensurethatthehumanitarianresponsereachestherightpeople?Thesearerealandimportantchallenges.

How does the ICRC build trust and broad consensus in highly volatile situations?

...in many cases the influential, informal roles

that women play are critical in

upholding social cohesion and

preventing further disruption.

Najaf, Iraq. At Sadr Hospital, a patient talks with ICRC physiotherapists.

M. G

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/ICRC

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Respondingtosuchquestionsiscriticalandwillenableustodeviseahumanitarianapproachthatisfitforthefuture.EnsuringthatICRCneedsassessmentssystematicallyincorporatetheviewsofpeopleaffected,whileleveragingtheirknowledgeandunderstandingofthesocialchangesandpublicpoliciesthatinfluencetheirvulnerabilityandresilience,willbekey.MaintainingandincreasingtheICRC’sphysicalproximitytopeopleaffected,inordertobuildrelationshipsoftrustthatenabletheorganizationtorespondtoanevolvingpaletteofneeds,willbecrucial.Interactingwithadiverserangeoflocalandinternationalstakeholders,partnersandinfluencers,whocantogetherdeliveramorerelevantandimpactfulhumanitarianresponse,isalsovital.

TheICRCwillalsoensurethatpeople-centredandinfluencingstrategiesbringtogetheritshumani-tarianactivitiesandinstitutionalinitiativesindependentoftheirorganizationallabelsorstructures.Bydoingthiswehopetoensurethatourresponsesareperceivedasmoreintegratedandmulti-disciplinarybypeopleaffected,andtoenableallICRCstaff,residentandmobile,tocontributetoaddressingpeople’sneedforprotectionandassistanceeffectively.TheorientationsinthisStrategyarepresentedinthisspiritandthereforegobeyondtheICRC’straditionalprogrammaticapproachtoitshumanitarianactivities.Theorientationsaimtoinfluencethosewhocausesufferingtochangetheirbehaviour;andwhenthisisnotsuccessful,tomitigatetheconsequencesforthepeopleandcommunitiesaffected.

Bangkok, Thailand. At the ICRC’s Asian and Pacific Conference on Prison Health, a participant learns about the ICRC’s work through virtual reality technology.

ICRC

Bab al-Tabanneh, Lebanon. This woman receives a hot meal every day from a kitchen run by people in her community. The ICRC helped launch the project, which provides work for dozens of people in the community and gives hundreds of others the freedom to use what little money they have on essentials other than food.

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STRATEGIC ORIENTATION 1INFLUENCING BEHAVIOUR TO PREVENT VIOLATIONS OF IHL AND ALLEVIATE HUMAN SUFFERING Peopleaffectedbyconflictandviolencewanttohavetheirsufferingalleviated,buttheyalsowantnottohavetosufferatall.Apeople-centredapproachthereforerequiresastrongerfocusonpreventionandprotection.Effortsmustbemadetoinfluenceandchangethebehaviourofpartiestoconflict;pre-ventviolationsofIHLandfundamentalrights;changelaws,policiesandpracticesthathaveaharmfulimpactonpeopleaffected;andensurerespectforprincipledhumanitarianaction,sothatboththoseinneedandthoseseekingtoassistthemareaccessible.

Protectionchallengesaregrowing,butpolitical reluctancetodealwithprotectionissuesiswidespread.TheICRCwillstrengthenandadaptitsstrategiestoinfluencethebehaviourofthosewhothreatenthesafety,dignity,rightsandwell-being ofpeopleaffected,suchaschildren,women,olderpeople,peoplewith disabilities, peoplewho are detained, victimsandsurvivorsofsexualviolence,internallydisplacedpeopleandmigrants,andthosewhoarepersecutedordiscriminatedagainst.

Todothis,wewillleverageourproximitytoaffectedpopulations,ourconcreteactionontheground,ouradherencetohumanitarianprinciplesandourroleasaneutralintermediarytoestablishanddeveloptrustfulrelationshipswithStates,withnon-Statearmedactorsandotherstakeholders.Wewillcontinuetobuildbridgeswithallpartiestoconflictandendeavourtoestablishthenecessarydialoguetocarveoutneutralspaces,preventtheescalationofviolenceandmitigatetheimpactofconflictonthelivesofpeopleaffected.

Wewillcombineouroperationalexperience,technicalexpertise,diplomaticnetworkandcontextualknowledgewiththerelevantinternalandexternalinformationanddataflowstohelpusbetterunder-standthecausallinksbetweenpoliticalandsocioeconomicdynamics,technologicaldevelopments,humanbehaviour,disregardforfundamentalrightsandIHLandpatternsofconflictandviolence.

Wewilldevelopasolidbaseofknowledgeandevidence to improveourability toanticipateandinfluencethepoliciesandbehaviourthatcausehumansufferingduringsituationsofconflictandviolence.Wewillcontinuetoexplorehowformalandinformaldiplomaticandnormativemechanisms can enhance respect for IHLandother rulesprotectingpeople in violent situations, andaim todemonstratetheirrelevanceforprotectingcivilians,reducingfragilityandcontributingtothebroaderindividualandsocietalaspirationsofsustainablepeace.

Basedonourprincipledapproach,wewilldevelopallianceswithorganizationsandotheractors,especiallythosecommittedtohumanitarianprinciplesandIHL,withinandbeyondthehumanitariansector,inordertostrengthenourinfluence,enhancetheimpactofourworkandfosteranenviron-mentmoreconducivetopoliciesalignedwithhumanitarianprinciplesandIHL,whichisabuildingblockofabroadersystemofrules-basedorder.

The ICRC will strengthen and adapt its strategies to influence the behaviour of those who threaten

the safety, dignity, rights and well-being of people affected.

Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. A three-day ICRC workshop on international humanitarian law for cadets at the Indonesian Military Academy.

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OBJECTIVES1.1 TheICRCstrengthens its role as the reference organization on IHLby:

– increasingitscapacitytoassist States and other relevant actors to uphold their legal obligations

– makingaparticularefforttodemonstrate the relevance, added value and practical applicationofIHLandothernorms

– workingtoaddressexisting and emerging gapsinthelaw – continuingtoprovidethought leadership on IHL and its evolution.

1.2 TheICRCstrengthensitscollection and use of evidence, data and research in the areas of IHL, and humanitarian actioningeneral,asameansofreinforcing its protection responsetopeopleaffectedbyurbanviolence,forceddisplacement,sexualviolence,disappearanceandfamilysep-aration,andbyattacksonhealth-carepersonnelandfacilities.

1.3 In order to deliver concrete prevention and protection outcomes,theICRCpursuesadvocacyand/orstandard-settinginrelationtoexistingandnew dimensions of warfare and law enforce-ment practices,withaspecificfocuson:

– peoplewhoaremissingand/ordetainedandpeopleexperiencingforceddisplacementandfamilyseparation

– weapons-related issues such as cyber and autonomous weapons, and the need to ensure humancontrolandagencyindecisionstouseforce

– leveraging operational and legal experience and expertisetoengagemoreconsistently withpartiestoarmedconflict,andcommunitiesaffected,onthenecessityofrespectingIHL, andinparticularthecompatibilityofcounter-terrorismmeasures,detentionpractices anduseofforcepolicieswithIHL.

1.4 TheICRCcontributestotheimproved safety and security of people affectedbyconflictandvio-lence,andthepreservationoftheirdignity,by:

– developingfield-basedstrategiesandleveragingitsoperational experience and expertise insupportofitsconfidentialandbilateraldialogue,humanitariandiplomacyandpubliccommunication

– enhancingitsnegotiation skills by developing and more systematically sharing negotiation experiences, tools and methodswithpeers,andacrossfront-lineagenciesandorganizations

– ensuringgreaterdiversityinhumanitariannegotiationteams–intermsofbackground,genderandtechnicalcompetencies–sothattheyarerelevant and effectivewithinthecontextsinwhichtheywork.

1.5 TheICRCprevents disappearances and increases positive case resolutionforpeopleseparatedfromandwithoutnewsoftheirlovedonesby:

– transforming the Central Tracing Agencyintotheleadinternationalmechanismforstoring,standardizing,accessingandanalysingdatalinkedwithpeoplewhohavegonemissing

– providing protected and secure digital storageofpersonaldatawithintheCentralTracingAgencyandtheFamilyLinksplatform,andthroughpartnershipswithNationalSocietiesandotherkeystakeholders

– making itself more accessible to familiesofpeopleseparated,disappearedormissinginrelationtoconflictandviolence.

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STRATEGIC ORIENTATION 2BUILDING RELEVANT AND SUSTAINABLE HUMANITARIAN IMPACT WITH PEOPLE AFFECTEDHumanitarianactionwasbornwithanemergencymindset,tosavelivesandalleviatethesufferingcausedbytheimmediateconsequencesofwar,violenceandotherdisasters.Asaresult,humanitarianresponsesoftenfocusonshort-termsolutionsfordealingwiththeimmediateandvisiblecostsofsuchcrises.

EmergencyneedsarisingfromconflictandviolenceareandwillcontinuetobetheentrypointfortheICRC,andwillremainanimportantfocusofitswork.However,thelonger-termeffectsofprotractedcrisesandchronicsitu-ationsofviolenceonthesecurity,safety,dignity,identityandsenseofbelongingofpeopleaffectedareagrow-ingconcernforus.Theseeffectsarenotalwayseasyto

understandandarethereforemoredifficulttorespondto.Despitethesignificantimpactofsuchcon-sequencesonpeople’slives,thesystemic,long-termandintangibleneedscreatedbyprotractedcrisesoftenremaininvisiblebecausetheyarenotalwaysrevealedbyhumanitarianneedsassessments.

Ithasthereforebecomeessentialwhenrespondingtoprotractedcrises,todevelopanapproachthatincorporatestheselonger-termandevolvingneedsinthedesignandimplementationofhumanitarianprogrammes.Anenhancedvulnerability-basedmethodology,onethatmakesuseofneedsandimpactassessments thataremoreparticipativeandmultifaceted,wouldhelpus todevelopbroaderand

The systemic, long-term and intangible needs created by protracted crises often

remain invisible.

Leer, South Sudan. Two women carrying away a bag of sorghum from an ICRC airdrop of food.

J. Z

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We will strive to influence all parties to armed conflict to respect IHL so that essential infrastructure

is protected.

moreinclusivemeansofaddressingthevariousthreatstothesafetyanddignityofpeopleaffected.Thiswouldalsohelptoreducethevulnerabilitiesthatemergeovertime,andsupportthecopingmechanismsthatenablepeopletoreturntotheirversionofanormallife,sustaintheirlivelihoodsandmeettheirlonger-termneedsautonomously.

TheICRCwillpayattentiontoabroaderrangeofneedsandworkwithothers,seekingconcretewaystofacilitateimpartialandsafeaccesstoeducation,connectivity,informationandotherentitlementsthatenablepeopleaffectedtogaingreatercontrolovertheirlivesandfuture.Suchanapproachiscrucialforstrengtheningpeople’sabilitytoenjoyordefendtheirfundamentalrights,orhavethoserightsrestored,andforfindingmorelastingwaysofaddressingtheneedsofpeopleaffected.

We also aim to developmore systemic, innovative andmulti-stakeholder approaches alongsideouremergencyresponse,inordertoensurethatourprotectionandassistanceactivitiesaremoreresponsive, impactful and relevant to the evolving natureandcomplexityofhumanitarianneeds.Thismeansthatwewillinvestinimprovingourabilitytoaddresstheunderlyingvulnerabilitiesinthedeliveryofbasicservicesandininfra-structuralsystems(e.g. intheareasofhealth,water,shel-ter, physical rehabilitation for peoplewith disabilities andnutrition)onwhichpeopleandcommunitiesdepend.Italsomeansexpandingourunderstandingofwhat isrequiredtosustaintheprovisionofbasicservicesandtoarrestthedeclineoftheseservices.Atthesametime,wewillstrivetoinfluenceallpartiestoarmedconflicttorespectIHLsothatessentialinfrastructureisprotectedfromdamage,personnelcancontinueworkingandhumanitarianactionisshowndueregard.

Humanitarianactioninprotractedsettingsmustthereforebeadaptedatseveral levels.First,theresponsemustnotbelimitedtodisruptionsofindividuallives;itmustalsobecapableofdealing with more systemic and long-term problems,particularlybecausethecumulativeimpactofconflictandviolenceinfragileurbanenvironmentscandestabilizebroadergeographicareas.Second,thehumanitarianresponsemustaddress not only the physical needs, but also the mental health and psychosocial impact thatwarhasontheoverallwell-beingofpopulations.Inthespiritofthe‘donoharm’approach,humanitarianactionmustgobeyondshort-termsubstitutionandsupportcommu-nitiesaffectedinstrengtheningtheircopingmechanisms,self-relianceandself-protectionstrategies.

All thismustbeaccompaniedbyamorediverse,efficient and sustainable use of humanitarian funding,onethatsupportsboththescalabilityofshort-term,emergency-drivenexpendituresandlonger-term, impact-drivenhumanitarian investments that enablehumanitarianactors tomeetemergencyneedswhile simultaneouslysecuring ‘developmentholds’.Thiswillhelpprevent thedegradationofcriticalindividualandpublicassets,boosttheresilienceofcommunities,reducethecostofpost-conflictreconstructionandcontributetotheoverallrecoveryofsocietiesaffectedbyconflictandviolence.

Inthecomingyears,theICRCwilltherefore,inadditiontoprovidingemergencyresponse,strengthenitsresponsetoneedsgeneratedbythetimeframesofprotractedconflictsandtherequirementsofurbansettings–andalsoworkcloselywithpeopleaffectedtodesign, implementandreviewitshumanitarianactivities–todeliveramorerelevantandsustainablehumanitarianresponse.TheICRCdoesnotintendtobecomeadevelopmentagencywithasocial-changeagenda.Itwillhowevercon-tinuetobeguidedsolelybyitshumanitarianmandateandmaintainitsabilitytocalibrateactivities,expandorcontractitsoperationalsurfaceaccordingtoevolvingneeds,identifiedgapsandopportun-itiestocreategreaterhumanitarianimpactforpeopleaffected.

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OBJECTIVES2.1 To ensure the relevance and sustainability of its humanitarian response,theICRCadaptsitsworkingproceduresto:

– maintain and increase its physical proximity to and digital engagementwithpopulationsaffectedbyconflictandviolence

– systematically engage people affectedontherelevance,design,implementationandreviewofitsactivities

– focusonstrengtheningitsunderstanding of and response to people’s broader needs, such asmentalhealthandpsychosocialneeds,ortheneedtoaccesseducationalopportunities

– improvethetimeliness,reliabilityandscopeofneeds assessments and feedback mechanisms.

2.2 TheICRCenhancesitscomprehensiveresponsethroughoutthecrisiscycle,inordertostrengthen the resilience of people affected,by:

– acknowledgingpeople’sself-determined priorities – workingtogetherwithpeopleaffectedtoensuresafe access to the social, financial and

physical resources and servicestheyrequire – reinforcingorsupportingthedevelopmentofaffected people’s own risk reduction capacities – supportingaffectedpeopletobuild on their self-reliance and self-protection strategies.

2.3 TheICRCcontinues todevelop and scale up its protection and assistance responseswitha focuson:

– peopleandcommunitieswithspecificcharacteristicsthatputthematgreaterriskincontextsofconflictandviolence

– addressingneedsarisingfromsexual and gender-based violence,aswellasneedsrelatedtomother-and-child health careandneedsarisingfromthedisruption of livelihoods

– refiningitsanalysisofthevarious factors contributing to vulnerability and needs – reducingsocialexclusionassociatedwithsituational and identity-based barriers that peopleaffectedareconfrontedwithwhentryingtoaccessservices.

Homs, Syria. Nasser opened a food shop with funds from a microeconomic initiative supported by the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

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2.4 Tobolsterthesustainabilityofitshumanitarianresponse,theICRCseekstoreinforceconflict- affectedcommunities’ability to absorb the combined consequencesof conflictandclimateshocks,andwill:

– supportcommunitiestoadaptandtransformtheircapacitiesandresourcestobetter manage future stressescausedbythecombined effects of conflict and climate change

– adaptitsprogrammingtosystematicallyprevent degradation of the environment on which populations affected relyfortheirlivelihoodandwell-being

– enhance its own environmental responsibilities and policiesbyimprovingitsenergyefficiency,reducingitsdependenceonfossilfuels,reducingandensuringpropertreatmentofhazardouswasteinthefieldanddemandinghigherqualityandsounderenvironmentalpracticesofitssuppliers.

2.5 TheICRCcontinuestorespond to emergencies, while concurrently strengthening its ability to address needs created by the breakdown of systemsandinfrastructureinprotractedconflictsby:

– ensuringthatappropriate planning systems and operational modelsareinplace – developingamulti-year financing model, including contributions that sit outside of

annual core planningandthatspecificallysupport large-scale, longer-term systemic responses in protracted conflicts.

2.6 TheICRCstrengthens its ability and capacity to operateinsomeofthemosthazardousenviron-mentsby:

– adopting,disseminatingandreportingonadequateandregularlyupdatedsecurity protocols and procedures,inordertoenhancethecapacitiesofitsoperationalteams,particularlyatsitesmostexposedtosecurityrisks

– providingmanagerswiththenecessaryprofessional training, competency testing and experience sharinginsecuritymanagement,andawarenessandskillstrainingforallitsoperationalstaffontheseassignments

– establishing an independent system of reviewtosupporttheorganizationinexaminingthecauses,consequencesandimplicationsofmajorsecurityincidentsthroughthepropercapturing,analysisanddisseminationoflessonslearnedacrossfieldoperations,whileempoweringitsoperationalstafftomanagerisksinaproactivemanner.

2.7 Asalearning organization,theICRC: – strengthensitscapacitytoevaluate the outcomes of its activities andlearnfromitssuccessesandfailures

– embeds evaluationmorefirmlyinitsplanningandresult-basedmanagementsystems – takesadvantageoftheincreasingavailabilityandcollectionofrelevant data – leverages a variety of evaluation methods,includingqualitativeandquantitativeapproaches,withaviewtohavingagreateroperationalimpactandpromotinginstitutionallearning. 

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STRATEGIC ORIENTATION 3 WORKING WITH OTHERS TO ENHANCE IMPACT Twoofthekeyfeaturesofprotractedconflictsarethegrowingincongruencebetweenhumanitar-ianneedsandthecapacityoftraditionalhumanitarianactorstorespondtoandcoverthoseneeds;andtheincreasedinterdependencebetweenthevulnerabilitiescreatedbyconflictandviolenceandthestructuralfragilitiesofsociety,suchaspoverty,socialexclusion,badgovernanceandtheeffectsofclimatechange.Thegapsbetweenneedsandresponse,and the complexitiesof the challenges thatarise,cannotbeaddressedbya singleapproachorbyoneorgan-ization.Cooperation,complementarityandworkbetweendif-ferent stakeholders andactorshave thereforebecomemoreessentialthanever.

Inmanycontexts,broadacceptancebyandproximitytopeopleaffectedaredeterminedbytheabilitytocarveoutandmaintainhumanitarianspaces,andthereceiptofunearmarkedfundsfordeliveringservicesperceivedasimpartial,neutralandindependent.TheICRCwillpayparticularattentionto

thesecrucialfactorsinframingoperationalandstrategicpartnershipswithothers to increase the impactof itsactivities.As theneedsof populationsaffectedgrow inmagnitude,complexityand intercon-nectedness,weshouldexpecttheICRCtochangeitsresponseandthewayitworkswithothers.

Thecarefuldelineationofareasandactivities–thoseareasinwhichtheICRCwillworkdirectlyonthebasisofitsmandatedrole,skillsandresources;andthoseinwhichitwillcooperatewithpartnersto

increaseitsimpact–isacriticalissue.TheICRCwillfocusonthespecialrelationshipithaswithcomponentsoftheMovement.Itwillalsodevelopmorecooperativestrategieswithinternationalandlocalhumanitarianorganizations,theprivatesectorandacademiathatareconsistentwithitsprin-cipledapproach.Finally,theICRCwillsystematicallyconsiderexperimentationandinnovationwitharangeofpartnerswheneverthatiscriticalforachievingagreaterimpactandmoredurablesolutionsforpeopleaffectedbyconflictandviolence.

Ciudad Serdán, Puebla, Mexico. These ICRC and Mexican Red Cross staff and volunteers take a break together in one of the areas where they provide assistance to migrants.

Cooperation, complementarity and work between different stakeholders

and actors have therefore become more essential than ever.

The ICRC will focus on the special relationship

it has with other components of the Movement.

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OBJECTIVES3.1 Striving forgreater impact for people affected, the ICRC takes the lead inorchestratingan

inclusive Movement response during armed conflict and ensures funding, reporting and accountability of coordinated Movement activities.Alongsidethis,itincreasestherelevanceandimpactofprincipledRedCrossandRedCrescentactionbycreating opportunities and systems withinitshumanitarianresponseforNationalSocietiestocontributespecificandcomplementaryexpertise,knowledgeandresourcesthataddresstheunmetneedsofpeopleaffectedbyarmedconflict.

3.2 The ICRCrecognizes the importance of National Society development in delivering a more relevant and sustainable humanitarian response, and therefore works to create alliances of competent and experienced partners, including with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,thatdeliverbroadinstitutionaldevelopmentsupportwithNationalSocietieswhilefocusingICRCsupportontheareasof:SaferAccess,IHL,RestoringFamilyLinks,andtheFundamentalPrinciples.

3.3 TheICRCincreasesitscapacity to shape debates and influence decision-making on humani-tarian issues of concernbybuildingcommunities of practice with front-line responders and creating coalitions with new and existing partners–includingNationalSocieties,academiaandtheprivatesector–thatemploya principled humanitarian approach to protectpeopleaffected.

3.4 TheICRCworkswithotherstofacilitate access to tools and services that are not necessarily part of its existing response but that are regularly cited by people affected as important needs. Theseinclude:

– accesstoeducation,connectivityandinformation – servicesthatenablepeopleandcommunitiesaffectedtodeveloptheirownpreventionandprotectionstrategiesandstrengthentheirresiliencetorecoverandsustaintheirlivesandlivelihoods.

3.5 The ICRCdevelopsdiverse models and forms of engagement and partnerships with States andotherrelevantstakeholderstosecurebroaderandsaferhumanitarianaccess,andtoachievegreaterimpactonconvergingissuesofinterest,withaparticularfocus on contexts where the coverage of humanitarian needs, and where the ICRC’s access, accessibility or acceptance, is significantly challenged or limited.

3.6 TheICRCengageswithamore diverse range of stakeholders – including States, donors and investors, development actors and international financial institutions – toelicitprincipleddonorshipthatsupportsanimpartialandindependentresponse,andtoexplore,testandsecureinnovativeandsustainablehumanitarianfinancingsolutionsthatgobeyondgrantsandphilan-thropyandensureimpact-driveninvestments.

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STRATEGIC ORIENTATION 4CREATING AN INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE WORKING ENVIRONMENTThegreateststrengthsandthemostvaluableassetsoftheICRCandtheMovementaretheirstaffandvolunteers.TheICRC’sglobalworkforceprovidestheorganizationnotonlywithessentialskillsandknowledge,butalsowithanunwaveringcommitmenttoitshumanitarianmissionandaction.

ICRCstaffdemonstratetheircourageanddedicationeveryday.TheyoftensacrificetheirsafetyandcomforttofulfiltheICRC’smission,veryofteninextremelychallengingcontexts.ICRCstaffoftenhavetodealwithvariousaspectsofthesufferingcausedbyconflictandviolence;andhavetorelyontheirresilienceandtheirinternalreserves,andoninstitutionalsupportnetworks,tomaintaintheirwell-beingandmotivation.

TheICRCisthereforecommittedtoensuringasafeandinclusiveworkingenvironmentinwhichthediversityofitsglobalworkforceisvalued,andthatenablesICRCstaffmemberstolistentoandcon-nectwitheachotherandwiththepeoplewestrivetoserve.Thisentailsstrengtheningengagement,exchangeandmutualrespectamongstmanagersandstafftofosterprofessionalandpersonaldevel-opmentwithintheorganization.

Gaza. Osama went through a tough time after he lost his legs, but he didn’t lose his determination. For him, playing sports was the key to adjusting to his new situation.

ICRC staff demonstrate their courage and

dedication every day.

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OBJECTIVES4.1 TheICRCensuresthatitsstaff can maintain a spirit of initiative and innovation and develop the

technical skills and functional competenciesrequiredtotranslate its institutional ambitions and prioritiesintorealities,bydevelopingaPeople Strategy and roadmapwithafocuson1)ensuringacultureofdecision-makingand2)developingcompetenciesintheareasof:

– integrityandaccountabilitytopopulationsaffected – leadershipandrepresentingtheICRC – teamworkandcollaboration – peopleandchangemanagement.

4.2 EngagedICRCstaff,leadershipandgovernanceshareaculture of integrity, mutual respect and collaborationandfosterthehigheststandardsofconduct,includingcompliance with the Code of Conductacrossalllevelsoftheorganization,withafocuson:

– theinclusionofintegrityintheannualobjective-settingofseniorleadership – thedevelopmentanddeliveryofspecificlearninginitiativesonintegrity.

4.3 TheICRCimplements policies and practices that are inclusive and that enable it to value and leverage the diversity of its global workforceandthatoftheMovementincludingensuringtheICRCstrivestoreachitsgoal of gender parity (50:50) among its managers by 2022,throughthenecessarymeansandactions.

4.4 The ICRC ensures that itsmanagement teams include both resident and mobile staff, are diverse in expertise and gender,andareclearinauthority,therebyensuringamoreefficient and decentralized decision-making culturethatissupportedbytherelevanthorizontalandverticalprocesses.

4.5 TheICRC,inlinewithitsduty-of-careobligations,ensuresthatstaffcansafelyandsecurelycarryouttheirworkbyfurther developing its security and crisis management model and sys-tems,andbymainstreamingsecurityriskmanagementpracticesandtoolsacrossalllevelsoftheorganization,aselaboratedunderobjective2.6.

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Bengaluru, India. At the Enable Makeathon competition, the SoftBionics team demonstrates their prototype for an assistive device designed for people with disabilities in rural areas.

ICRC

STRATEGIC ORIENTATION 5 EMBRACING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONDigitaltechnologiesandartificialintelligencearetransformingthewaypeopleandorganizationsfunctioninboththephysicalandvirtualworlds.DigitalizationisalsoalteringthewayStates,NSAGsandotheractorsinteractwithpopulationsandprotectorrestrictfundamentalrights,andalsohowtheymanagesecurityandconductwarfare.Theglobaldigitaltransformationischangingthenatureofhumanitarianaction,particularly inrelationtothedigitaldimensionsofprotection,trustandprivacy-relatedissues.Whilewemaynotbeabletopredictwheretechnologicalprogresswillleadus,weknowthatwemustequipourselvestounderstanditsexponentiallyincreasingimpactonourenvironment,sothatwecanexploittheopportunitiesitoffersandmitigatetherisksitcarries.TheICRCwilltransformandoptimizeitsinformationenvironment;itwillfocusondigitalaccessibilityandengagementwithpopulationsaffectedandotherkeystakeholdersascriticalelementstosupportitsprotection,assistanceandpreventionactivities.

Thedigitalizationofoursystemsandoperationalresponsesisnotjustamatteroftoolsortechno-logical assets; it also relieson itsprivilegesand immunities recognizedunder international anddomesticlaw,theFundamentalPrinciplesoftheMovementandtheICRC’sstandardworkingmodal-ities,particularlyconfidentialityandsecurityofinformation.

Itwillalsorequirenewprocesses,newworkingmethodologiesandthedeliveryofnewserviceswithandforpeopleandcommunitiesaffected.Itwillaffectthecoreofourorganizationandwillentailmajortransformationalinvestmentsthatwilllastforyears.Thistransformationandthenecessaryinvestmentswillneedtobemanagedtransversallyandwithdisciplinethroughouttheorganization,andgovernedthroughstrong,intelligentandconsistentleadership.TheICRCwillalsohavetoprovidespecificsupporttostaffmemberstoensurethatweallunderstandhowtouse,leverageandmanagethedigitaltoolsatourdisposaltocreateamoreimpactfulandagilehumanitarianresponse.

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OBJECTIVES5.1 TheICRCincreases digital opportunities for accessibility and engagementforpeopleaffectedbyconflictandviolenceandotherstakeholdersandaudiences,includingbydevelopingaplatformandassociatedinternalprocessestoenablepeopleaffectedtosecurelyupload,storeandaccessdigitalinformationrelatingtotheirneeds,especiallyinconnectionwithrestoringand/ormain-tainingcontactwithrelativesandotherlovedones.

5.2 TheICRCestablishestherelevant mechanisms to disaggregate the dataitcollectsaboutpopula-tionsaffected,withaparticularfocusonensuringthatvulnerabilitiesspecifictogender,ageanddisabilitycanbeidentified,sothatitcanprovideamorerelevanthumanitarianresponse.

5.3 TheICRCensures that it can draw on the human and technical capacities necessary to generate, access, manage, analyse, and leverage the large amounts of internal and external datarequiredtoinformandsupportitsresponseandtoenableitsdigitaltransformation.

5.4 TheICRCisatrustedmanagerofpersonalinformationonindividualsininsecureenvironmentsandthereforeappliesdata-protection,anddigital,cyber,andinformationsecurity, standards that preserve the integrity, confidentiality and availability of information systems and data.

5.5 Within the humanitarian ecosystem, the ICRC influences other organizations to follow a hu manitarian purpose-driven approach to the use of data concerning vulnerable individuals affectedbycrises,whileemphasizingthatthecollectionanduseofdataonindividualsisariskfactorintheirsafety,i.e.itstressestheimportanceof‘doingnodigitalharm’.

5.6 TheICRCensuresthat the required transformational endeavours are systematically geared to sustaining, preserving and strengthening its core humanitarian competencies,anditsnaturaloperationalandstructuralagility,byestablishingchangemanagementandcontrolmechanismsthatguaranteecontinuousalignmentbetweeninnovativeinvestments,organizationaldevelop-mentinitiativesanditshuman,administrative,logisticalandfinancialcapacities.

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THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLESHUMANITYIMPARTIALITYNEUTRALITYINDEPENDENCEVOLUNTARY SERVICEUNITYUNIVERSALITY

4354/00209.2018750

Coverphoto:

M.Knowles-Coursin/ICRC

International Committee of the Red Cross19,avenuedelaPaix1202Geneva,SwitzerlandT+41227346001shop.icrc.org©ICRC,September2018

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The ICRChelpspeoplearound theworldaffectedbyarmedconflictandotherviolence,doingeverything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, oftenwith its RedCrossandRedCrescentpartners.Theorganizationalsoseekstopreventhardshipbypromotingandstrengtheninghumanitarianlawandchampioninguniversalhumanitarianprinciples.

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