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Protection | ICRC
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Photographer: Thang Khan Sian Khai" title="ICRC working with the Myanmar Red Cross Society to support people displaced by violence" /> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/protection">Protection: Upholding the rights of people in conflict</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-img"> <div class="media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_img_rect_01/public/home_carousel_slide/image/2-rfl-gaza_1.jpg.webp?itok=JoAn5wzV" width="320" height="180" alt="" /> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/reconnecting-families">Reconnecting families: Preventing separation, searching for the missing, reunit…</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-img"> <div class="media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_img_rect_01/public/document_new/image/detention_prisoners_icrc_action_0.jpg.webp?itok=TpAQDvTQ" width="320" height="180" alt="" /> </div> <div class="title"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/helping-detainees">Helping detainees: Protecting and assisting people deprived of their liberty</a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <a class="fake-link" href="#"></a> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/en/where-we-work" data-ga-slug="where-we-work" role="button" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300218">Where we work</a> <div class="main-menu"> <div class="main-menu-container"> <div class="left-col"> <div class="text-box"> <div class="title-mobile">Where we work</div> <h2 class="title-drop"> Explore our global reach </h2> <p class="text"> We have offices in over 90 countries around the world, providing assistance and protection to people affected by conflict. </p> <div class="btn-wrap btn-w-secondary-accent"> <a href="/en/where-we-work">ICRC around the world</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="right-col"> <h3 class="title-box">Key operations</h3> <ul class="items"> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/democratic-republic-congo">Democratic Republic of the Congo</a></div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/ethiopia">Ethiopia</a></div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/israel-and-occupied-territories">Israel and the occupied territories</a></div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/lebanon">Lebanon</a></div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/myanmar">Myanmar</a></div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/sudan">Sudan</a></div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/syria">Syria</a></div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/ukraine">Ukraine</a></div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-link"> <div class="title"><a href="/en/where-we-work/yemen">Yemen</a></div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <a class="fake-link" href="#"></a> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/en/law-and-policy" data-ga-slug="law-policy" role="button" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300062">Law & Policy</a> <div class="main-menu"> <div class="main-menu-container"> <div class="left-col"> <div class="text-box"> <div class="title-mobile">Law & Policy</div> <h2 class="title-drop"> Law & Policy </h2> <p class="text"> Gain insights into the ICRC's role in developing and promoting international humanitarian law and policy. </p> <div class="btn-wrap btn-w-secondary-accent"> <a href="/en/law-and-policy">Discover more</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="right-col"> <ul class="items"> <li class="item"> <div class="card-text"> <div class="title"> <a href="/en/geneva-conventions-and-law">Geneva Conventions and the law</a> </div> <div class="txt"> Even wars have rules. The Geneva Conventions are at the core of international humanitarian law. </div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-text"> <div class="title"> <a href="/en/topics-and-debates">Topics, debates and disarmament</a> </div> <div class="txt"> Weapons and disarmament, protected persons and other contemporary challenges for international humanitarian law. </div> </div> </li> <li class="item"> <div class="card-text"> <div class="title"> <a href="/en/advisory-service-international-review-and-other-resources">Teaching IHL, research, Advisory Service and other resources</a> </div> <div class="txt"> We support the teaching, learning and implementation of humanitarian law principles. </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <a class="fake-link" href="#"></a> </div> </div> </li> <li> <a href="/en/partner-with-us" data-ga-slug="support-us" role="button" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300193">Support us</a> <div class="main-menu"> <div class="main-menu-container"> <div class="support-content"> 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class="header-top-search-holder"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="header-top-search-container"></div> </div> </div> </header> <div id="block-icrc-theme-tabs"> </div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <main tabindex="-1" id="mainContent"> <div class="activity main"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="page-head bg-beige is-visual"> <div class="icrc-container"> <nav class="breadcrumbs" aria-label="You are here"> <ol> <li class="with-link"><a href="/en/we-help-people-affected-armed-conflict">What we do</a></li> <li>Protecting the rights of people in confl...</li> </ol> </nav> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "name": "Protecting the rights of people in conflict", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@id": "/en/we-help-people-affected-armed-conflict", "name": "What we do" } } ] } </script> <div class="text"> <div class="title"> <h1>Protection: Upholding the rights of people affected by conflict</h1> </div> <div class="description"> <p>We protect people affected by war and armed conflict by advocating for their rights under the Geneva Conventions and providing life-saving assistance at all stages of hostilities. We also strive to minimize the vulnerabilities of people at risk and ensure that those involved in the fighting comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.</p> </div> </div> <div class="anchor-link-nav js-scroll-to"> <div class="scroll-wrap"> <ul><li class="anchor-link is-active"><a href="#text940133">Protection principles</a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#banner-highlight940134">The rules of war</a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#text940141">Our protection work</a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#text-item-list940142">Featured articles</a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#text1496037">Protecting the vulnerable</a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#banner-highlight940154">Confidential dialogue</a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#text940155">Our protection work in the aftermath of a conflict</a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#text1496044">Our wider work </a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#latest-documents1771606">Latest articles</a></li><li class="anchor-link"><a href="#next-event">Next event</a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="activity-visual"> <div class="media with-gradient"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_full_lg/public/2024-03/Protection_ICRC_Web.jpg.webp?itok=t1HwipDr 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1440px)" type="image/webp" width="2048" height="736"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_full/public/2024-03/Protection_ICRC_Web.jpg.webp?itok=-mHdr1O6 1x" media="all and (min-width: 992px)" type="image/webp" width="1280" height="736"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/tablet_full/public/2024-03/Protection_ICRC_Web.jpg.webp?itok=x_fsyh5b 1x" media="all and (min-width: 576px)" type="image/webp" width="768" height="440"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_square/public/2024-03/Protection_ICRC_Web.jpg.webp?itok=S8gSQkqQ 1x" media="all and (max-width: 576px)" type="image/webp" width="360" height="360"/> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_full/public/2024-03/Protection_ICRC_Web.jpg.webp?itok=-mHdr1O6" width="1280" height="736" alt="An ICRC delegate at a crossing point between front lines during a ceasefire in Sri Lanka." title="An ICRC delegate at a crossing point between front lines during a ceasefire in Sri Lanka. Jón BJÖRGVINSSON/ICRC" /> </picture> </div> </div> </div> <div id="text940133" class="text-module"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="text-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-3"> <div class="title"> <h2>Our protection work that saves lives</h2> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-9"> <div class="ck-text"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">At the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), our mission is to alleviate human suffering and promote respect for the rights of people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. As a neutral and impartial organization, we help ensure that the safeguards embedded in international humanitarian law (IHL) are respected, and endeavour to maintain a constant presence in areas where civilians are particularly at risk. We carry out humanitarian action in field operations that help and protect </span><span style="background-color:white;color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext;mso-shading-themecolor:background1;" lang="EN-GB">people not or no longer taking part in hostilities, and we </span><span lang="EN-GB">seek to ensure their rights are respected by reminding the parties to the conflict of their obligations and responsibilities under IHL through bilateral and confidential dialogue.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="banner-highlight940134" class="banner-highlight"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="content"> <div class="media"> <div class="video-container"><iframe src="https://www.icrc.org/en/media/oembed?url=https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DHwpzzAefx9M&max_width=964&max_height=554&hash=2vNQVBtL4dLSJ4L5892M3zS6QhH-foMlMPOD4-YqkTM" frameborder="0" allowtransparency width="964" height="554" class="media-oembed-content" loading="lazy" title="What are the Rules of War? | The Laws of War | ICRC"></iframe> </div> </div> <div class="info"> <h3 class="h2"> What are the rules of war? </h3> <p>International Humanitarian Law is all about making choices that preserve a minimum of human dignity in times of war, and makes sure that living together again is possible once the last bullet has been shot.<br /></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="text940141" class="text-module"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="text-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-3"> <div class="title"> <h2>Our work to protect the rights of people in conflict</h2> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-9"> <div class="ck-text"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Through diplomacy, dialogue, humanitarian advocacy and the promotion of IHL, we strive to defend the rights of people in conflict and encourage all parties to prioritize the safety of civilians. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div id="text-paragraph940135" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Building understanding of and respect for the law</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>The Geneva Conventions – the rules of war – protect people who are not or are no longer fighting. States are obliged to comply with the Conventions – which form the core of IHL – to ensure that the rules of war are widely known and understood and that they are respected by all parties to a conflict, as well as their supporters. The ICRC plays an important role in this international endeavour during both peace time and conflict. Through initiatives to promote and strengthen IHL, we remind states of their obligations; we inform young people – future leaders – of IHL and why it is so crucial; and we work with police, the military, public authorities and armed groups to ensure they make their best effort to avoid causing harm to civilians. We also contribute to the ongoing development of IHL – a vital task.</p> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph940137" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Engaging in confidential dialogue</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>We hold confidential discussions with governments, armed forces and non-state groups, emphasizing the humanitarian consequences of conflict and reminding them of their obligations. Thanks to our neutral and impartial approach, we are a trusted intermediary, creating an atmosphere of understanding, cooperation and respect. Our ultimate goal is to spare civilians from the horrors of war and to reduce their vulnerability in conflict situations. </p> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496029" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Monitoring compliance with the law</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>During conflicts, we monitor and promote compliance with IHL by directly discussing allegations of IHL violations with the parties to the conflict. These allegations may be collected from affected people or based on our own observations on the battlefield. Our aim is to stand up for the rights of people not or no longer participating in hostilities – including vulnerable groups such as children, women, the sick and wounded, the dead and their families, those deprived of their liberty and displaced people. We share our findings on potential IHL violations bilaterally and confidentially with the parties to the conflict as a way of encouraging greater respect for IHL on the battlefield. </p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/law-and-policy/compliance-ihl">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph940136" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Providing legal advice and training</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>We seek to prevent IHL violations by communicating, developing, clarifying and promoting implementation of the law, as well as through efforts to facilitate acceptance of our work.<strong> </strong>The ICRC Advisory Service provides specialized legal advice and technical expertise on IHL implementation, covering issues ranging from punishing serious violations of the Geneva Conventions to protecting the use of the red cross, red crescent and red crystal emblems.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/document/icrc-advisory-services-international-humanitarian-law">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496030" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Engaging with supporters of parties to conflict</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>Because wars are often fought with outside support, we engage in dialogue with supporters of the parties to a conflict. Our goal is to ensure they are aware of their obligations under the Geneva Conventions. </p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/support-relationships">Read more. </a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph940138" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Safeguarding civilian infrastructure</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>We recognize the devastating impact that attacks on essential infrastructure can have on civilians, especially in urban settings.we work closely with governments, armed groups and other authorities to remind them that civilian infrastructure has a special protection in times of war. We raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding essential infrastructure like hospitals, schools and water and sanitation facilities. We emphasize the need to avoid damaging these structures, to mitigate the suffering of civilians and to preserve access to services necessary for people’s well-being and survival.</p> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph940139" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Training the armed forces and police</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>We employ former military and police officers as specialized delegates who work with the armed forces and police. Our aim is to ensure these groups incorporate the relevant rules of IHL into their training programmes and operational procedures. And to enhance their cooperation on the ground, we also explain to them what activities we are carrying out in the country in question.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/law-and-policy/dialogue-weapon-bearers">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph940140" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Seeking to strengthen IHL</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>To reduce the devastating impact of armed conflict on civilians, we encourage states to adopt new treaties and to continually develop new rules and standards.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/law-and-policy/strengthening-ihl-project">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496031" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Defending the rights of detainees</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>All people deprived of their liberty have a right to fair treatment and humane living conditions, regardless of the reason for their arrest and detention. Because of our status as a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization, we are able to visit detainees at places of detention where others are not. We conduct interviews in private and submit confidential reports to the authorities and, if necessary, provide material or medical aid to the detainees. We seek to ensure that basic needs are met, that detainees remain in touch with their families and that they are treated respectfully and humanely. We refrain from taking a position on the reasons for the detainees’ arrest or capture. We simply try to ensure that they benefit from the judicial guarantees to which they are entitled under international and domestic law.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/helping-detainees">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496032" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Searching for missing people and reuniting separated families</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>In the chaos of armed conflict, families become separated and people die or go missing. For those left behind, what remains is unbearable suffering and uncertainty. Our Central Tracing Agency and forensic specialists, working with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, help people separated from their loved ones to find answers about the fate of those who are missing. They also provide technical support and, where necessary, help ensure first responders treat the dead with dignity.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/law-and-policy/protected-persons-missing-persons">Read more</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="text-item-list940142" class="item-list-and-text"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="item-list-content"> <div class="content"> <div class="l-side"> <div class="title"> <h2 id="title"> Featured articles </h2> </div> </div> <div class="simple-slider-holder r-side" role="group" aria-roledescription="carousel" aria-labelledby="title"> <div class="item-list-frame"> <div class="row js-item-list-text-slider"> <article class="col" role="group" aria-labelledby="article"> <div class="frame"> <div class="text"> <h3 id="article"><a href="/en/document/rules-war-nutshell">Rules of war (in a nutshell)</a></h3> </div> <div class="media"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_square_2/public/document/image/ihl-in-a-nutshell.jpg.webp?itok=iaxX41SD 1x" media="all and (min-width: 992px)" type="image/webp" width="308" height="308"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/tablet_rect_3/public/document/image/ihl-in-a-nutshell.jpg.webp?itok=aeIgKho1 1x" media="all and (min-width: 576px)" type="image/webp" width="207" height="135"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_square_2/public/document/image/ihl-in-a-nutshell.jpg.webp?itok=Xb0BZ0i7 1x" media="all and (max-width: 576px)" type="image/webp" width="208" height="208"/> <img loading="lazy" aria-hidden src="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_square_2/public/document/image/ihl-in-a-nutshell.jpg.webp?itok=iaxX41SD" width="308" height="308" /> </picture> </div> </div> </article> <article class="col" role="group" aria-labelledby="article--2"> <div class="frame"> <div class="text"> <h3 id="article--2"><a href="/en/law-and-policy/respect-ihl">Respect for IHL</a></h3> </div> <div class="media"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_square_2/public/2024-02/IHL%20Handbook%20Introduction.jpg.webp?itok=ROVlyPCu 1x" media="all and (min-width: 992px)" type="image/webp" width="308" height="308"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/tablet_rect_3/public/2024-02/IHL%20Handbook%20Introduction.jpg.webp?itok=faIxuYeb 1x" media="all and (min-width: 576px)" type="image/webp" width="207" height="135"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_square_2/public/2024-02/IHL%20Handbook%20Introduction.jpg.webp?itok=oNl0o903 1x" media="all and (max-width: 576px)" type="image/webp" width="208" height="208"/> <img loading="lazy" aria-hidden src="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_square_2/public/2024-02/IHL%20Handbook%20Introduction.jpg.webp?itok=ROVlyPCu" width="308" height="308" alt="ICRC handbook on international humanitarian law" title="ICRC handbook on international humanitarian law" /> </picture> </div> </div> </article> <article class="col" role="group" aria-labelledby="article--3"> <div class="frame"> <div class="text"> <h3 id="article--3"><a href="/en/document/rules-war-why-they-matter">Rules of war: Why they matter</a></h3> </div> <div class="media"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_square_2/public/document_new/image/central-african-republic-conflict-geneva-conventions.jpg.webp?itok=r4Dnt_Yp 1x" media="all and (min-width: 992px)" type="image/webp" width="308" height="308"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/tablet_rect_3/public/document_new/image/central-african-republic-conflict-geneva-conventions.jpg.webp?itok=ix8spdbD 1x" media="all and (min-width: 576px)" type="image/webp" width="207" height="135"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_square_2/public/document_new/image/central-african-republic-conflict-geneva-conventions.jpg.webp?itok=lyCZmGmJ 1x" media="all and (max-width: 576px)" type="image/webp" width="208" height="208"/> <img loading="lazy" aria-hidden src="/sites/default/files/styles/desktop_square_2/public/document_new/image/central-african-republic-conflict-geneva-conventions.jpg.webp?itok=r4Dnt_Yp" width="308" height="308" /> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="items-bar"> <div class="nav-slider"> <span class="counter" role="status" aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true"> <span class="visually-hidden"></span> <span class="visually-visible" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="text1496037" class="text-module"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="text-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-3"> <div class="title"> <h2>Protecting the vulnerable</h2> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-9"> <div class="ck-text"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US;" lang="EN-US">Among the civilian population, there are certain categories of people who are specifically protected by international law. Our efforts to protect these vulnerable groups focus on enhancing their ability to cope. We do our best to leave these people with the tools they need to live in dignity and safety.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496033" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Displaced people</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>Armed conflict often means large numbers of civilians are forced to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere in their country. In most cases, displaced people have to leave behind all but a few of their possessions. They often lose the means of earning a living too. </p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/law-and-policy/protected-persons-internally-displaced-persons">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496034" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Refugees</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>People who flee across international borders, and are recognized as refugees, are entitled to protection and aid from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In such cases, the ICRC plays a support role, particularly where refugees are protected by humanitarian law. We also provide a Red Cross message service that helps refugees get back in touch with family members from whom they have become separated.</p> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496035" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Children</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>Because of conflict and other violence, children may be separated from their families, forced to leave their homes, killed, maimed, sexually abused or exploited. They may also be first-hand witnesses to atrocities committed against their parents or other family members. And, despite their protection by law, children continue to be recruited by armed forces and armed groups in some parts of the world. They often carry weapons and actively take part in the fighting. Or they may be used in other roles that put them in great danger, such as carrying supplies.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/law-and-policy/protected-persons-children">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496036" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Women and girls</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>The ICRC helps all victims of conflict. But women and girls have specific health, protection and other needs that we seek to address in our activities. We emphasize how women and girls must be protected in conflicts, and we raise awareness among fighters that sexual violence in all its forms is prohibited by humanitarian law.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/law-and-policy/protected-persons-women">Read more</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="banner-highlight940154" class="banner-highlight"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="title-module"> <h2>Talking to find pragmatic solutions for those affected by conflict</h2> </div> <div class="content"> <div class="media"> <div class="video-container"><iframe src="https://www.icrc.org/en/media/oembed?url=https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DatTk4DzVRUk&max_width=964&max_height=554&hash=V0sNpQkx53dwwd4pRtZeJYvq6qnOyPutIQeU5D5CfR8" frameborder="0" allowtransparency width="964" height="554" class="media-oembed-content" loading="lazy" title="Your Questions Answered: Why are you silent? | ICRC"></iframe> </div> </div> <div class="info"> <h3 class="h2"> Our confidential dialogue in action </h3> <p>Our colleague Christian explains why we are often publicly silent and how we work behind closed doors to ensure we can reach people in need.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="text940155" class="text-module"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="text-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-3"> <div class="title"> <h2>Our protection work in the aftermath of a conflict</h2> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-9"> <div class="ck-text"><p>Once a conflict ends, our primary objective is to help people rebuild their lives and communities. Our work, often carried out in partnership with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, helps people overcome the effects of the conflict and build resilience for the future. Our assistance teams continue their efforts to restore or maintain people’s access to health care and other essential services; our weapons specialists work to reduce weapon contamination; our economic security experts seek to help people address the economic hardship they may face as a result of the conflict; and our tracing staff help reunite separated families. </p> </div> <div class="btn-wrap btn-w-secondary-accent"> <a href="/en/we-help-people-affected-armed-conflict">Read more</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="text1496044" class="text-module"> <div class="icrc-container"> <div class="text-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-3"> <div class="title"> <h2>How our wider work supports and reinforces our efforts to uphold dignity in conflict</h2> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-9"> <div id="text-paragraph1496038" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Protecting communities from weapon contamination</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>During armed conflicts and long after they end, civilians can be severely injured or killed by weapons, their remnants and unexploded devices. The preventive weapon-contamination activities carried out by our weapon experts are directly related to our mandate to protect civilians from the effects of armed conflict.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/weapon-contamination">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496039" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Supporting livelihoods and food security</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>The difficulties of daily life during armed conflict can drive civilians to the very limits of their coping mechanisms. We work to combat food insecurity and provide emergency relief and longer-term livelihood support to people who need our help owing to armed conflict or other violence.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/economic-security">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496040" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Addressing sexual violence</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>Sexual violence is a devastating war crime with damaging consequences for victims and survivors, their families and entire communities. We carry out activities aimed at preventing such crimes, safeguarding potential victims, and assisting affected individuals and groups after the fact. </p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/responding-sexual-violence">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496041" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Health</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>War devastates health-care systems, depriving people of access to the services they need. We work with local health authorities to provide people in conflict-affected areas with high-quality health-care programmes within the limits of our resources. </p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/health">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496042" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Physical rehabilitation</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>Our physical rehabilitation and prosthetic programmes help restore physical function among the war-wounded and people living with disabilities in conflict-affected areas.</p> </div> <div class="link-option"> <a href="/en/what-we-do/physical-rehabilitation">Read more</a> </div> </div> <div id="text-paragraph1496043" class="highlight-item"> <h4>Safeguarding public health and other critical infrastructure</h4> <div class="ck-text"><p>Where armed conflict has damaged or destroyed infrastructure essential to human life and safety, our building and engineering projects provide access to clean water, shelter and other services 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