The Fundamental Principles: 60 Years of humanity in action

Every day, the Principles translate into life-saving impact:

•  In Gaza, more than 80,000 consultations, 3,000 surgeries and 4,000 childbirths were carried out at the ICRC-supported field hospital in Rafah in its first year, ensuring urgent care despite the fighting.

•  In the Ukraine-Russia international armed conflict, the ICRC has helped more than 14,800 families learn the fate of missing loved ones and facilitated over 20,900 personal messages between prisoners of war and their families.

•  In Yemen, the ICRC has facilitated the release and safe return of more than 1,000 detainees since 2020, reuniting families divided for years.

•  In the Democratic Republic of Congo, over 1,300 disarmed soldiers and their families were transferred across frontlines to return home safely.

•  In Afghanistan, rehabilitation centres provide prosthetic limbs and physiotherapy to tens of thousands of people injured by war, helping them walk again and regain independence.

•  After disasters from Pakistan’s floods to the Beirut port explosion, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers responded impartially, providing shelter, health care and emergency relief.

These stories show what the Principles make possible: humanity in action.