"The moral sense of the importance of human life; the humane desire to lighten a little of the torments of all these poor wretches or restore their shattered courage; the furious and relentless activity which a man summons up at such moments; all these combine to create a kind of energy which gives one a positive craving to relieve as many as one can."
—Henry Dunant, A Memory of Solferino
These words were inspirational when I started my humanitarian journey with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The words still ring true to me and those of my several thousand colleagues in the field as we try to assist as many people as possible affected by conflict without taking sides, knowing what armed violence does to humanity. The perspective I share with you today is not that of an expert on conflict resolution but rather that of a humanitarian who started his journey in Ethiopia, saw the diverse landscapes of northern Nigeria, navigated the devastated streets of Gaza and witnessed the resilient smiles in Yemen. The four decades of my journey has taken me to the farthest reaches of human suffering and resilience. From the mountains of Nepal to the extensive landscapes of Sudan, the historic old cities of Iran, and the sun-drenched plateaus of South Africa, my experience has been a testament to one profound truth: at the core of every conflict, every crisis lies humanity in need of recognition, respect, and protection.
In every conflict zone, from Sierra Leone to Yemen, I have seen firsthand how humanitarian work and respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) contribute to peace initiatives in areas ravaged by violence. The foundation for peace is not just a ceasefire or a diplomatic agreement; it is the recognition of the intrinsic value of each individual and community. It is the acknowledgment that, irrespective of our differences, we all share a common value of humanity.
United Nations sources indicate that in 2023, almost 30,000 civilians were killed and injured by the use of explosive weapons in just six conflicts: Civilians accounted for 90 per cent of those killed and wounded when explosive weapons were used in populated areas. These stark numbers are not just statistics; I have witnessed lives cut short, families torn apart, and communities left in ruins. As technology continues to advance, with cyber operations, autonomous weapons, and even the militarization of outer space, the challenges to applying and interpreting IHL are growing. The overlapping crises of global financial pressures, rising inequalities, and the climate emergency exacerbate these challenges, making the plight of civilians even more precarious.
Another significant challenge in today's operating environment is the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation. These insidious forces not only threaten to divide communities but also undermine the very essence of humanitarian work.
The principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence were the cornerstones of our work at the ICRC. These principles still guide us today, as we assist those affected by armed violence without taking sides. But as Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan once sang, "The Times They Are a-Changin”. The world is now facing some of the most complex and widespread conflicts in recent history. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, and Karabakh, millions of people are caught in the crossfire, enduring unimaginable suffering.
In the face of these challenges, our call is simple yet profound: we urge all parties to conflicts to respect their obligations under IHL. Civilians and those no longer participating in hostilities must be protected from harm. It is not just a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative. States and governments must increase their efforts to ensure that IHL is respected, not only to spare lives but to lay the groundwork for lasting peace. As ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger aptly put it, "When the law is broken, it doesn't need to be fixed. It needs to be enforced."
A child fleeing Ukraine at a temporary camp in Przemsyl, Poland | Reuters
For the ICRC, with our 18,000 staff members working across 100 countries, the principle of humanity guides every action we take. We see the horrific toll of armed violence on both combatants and civilians daily. Together with our Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement members, we help the most vulnerable who have lost everything—their families, their homes, their dignity. We entangled to the principle of humanity, one of the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, instructs us to promote mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation, and lasting peace among all peoples.
Discussion and agreements over humanitarian issues, particularly the respect for humanitarian principles can also be seen as gestures of goodwill and trust building to facilitate the starting, development or conclusion of peace talks among the parties to conflict. Humanitarian service access to the beneficiaries, visiting detention places and conducting our other protection works help the parties strengthen this peace initiatives. However, humanitarian action cannot be a substitute for, nor should it distract from, the lack of political solutions. Creating the conditions for peace is one of the most essential responsibilities of states.
When conflicts are characterized by widespread destruction and violation of IHL, development and peace become an unachievable ambition. It is clear: the protection of civilians is a pre-condition or conduit for restoring stability, peace, and recovery, in addition to sparing the lives and restoring the dignity of civilians and their properties. Despite these urgent and grave problems to address, we hold in our possession something extremely valuable: an international consensus. Every single state has signed onto the Geneva Conventions. Every state has freely and voluntarily agreed to be legally bound by the rules they embody. Every state has decided that no matter the circumstances that give rise to war, limiting its human cost is a legal obligation that cannot be swept aside. Today, with more than 100 armed conflicts around the world, creating the conditions for peace is not the responsibility of a few people. We are all responsible for it. The ICRC, together with other members of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, remain committed to working alongside states and communities to further the foundations for peace through the promotion, supporting the implementation and making IHL a political agenda globally.
Kedir Awol Omar is Head of the Regional Delegation of the ICRC, New Delhi, covering India, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.
