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Partnering with development actors

Our partnerships with development actors enable us to strengthen our protection and assistance work, supporting broader sustainable development outcomes, enhancing the overall impact of humanitarian action and creating conditions to prevent conflict and development reversals.

A woman is carrying a set of tools to be shared with some other families in West of Juba, camp of Dulamaya.

Our collaboration with development actors

The ICRC’s mandate is to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. Guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, the ICRC helps individuals and communities survive conflicts and other crises. The ICRC also makes sure they are able to recover and build resilience overtime, thereby benefitting from sustainable impact.

In contexts of compounded crises, the collaboration between the ICRC and development actors leverages on respective mandates, operating models, and capacities to strengthen the relevance and the impact for the affected populations.

Since 2017, the ICRC has been working with development banks and agencies, enabling partners to stay engaged in fragile and conflict settings and jointly design responsible exit strategies.

These partnerships are built on knowledge sharing and ultimately aim at scaling up impact through:

Operational and financial collaboration

that addresses the needs and aspirations of the most vulnerable populations in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

Policy engagement and advocacy

at local, regional and global levels to contribute to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and promote conflict prevention.

ICRC partnership value for development actors

The ICRC offers development partners a unique added value based on:

1. Expertise in conflict contexts

The ICRC has unparalleled experience in providing relief and protection to civilians, detainees, wounded people and others affected by conflict and violence.

2. Unmatched access

By upholding neutrality and impartiality principles, the ICRC accesses, and gains acceptance in sensitive,  restricted areas where few or no other actors can reach. This trust from all conflict parties enables effective assistance to underserved communities.

 

3. Preventive approach

The ICRC’s programmes aim at preventing the collapse of essential services and critical infrastructure in fragile or volatile contexts to mitigate widespread humanitarian consequences. 

4. Proximity to affected populations

The ICRC is present on the ground and closely engages with affected populations, understands their needs and aspirations and co-develops holistic solutions to the problems they face. 

5. Logistics

With its robust procurement and deployment capacities through regional hubs, the ICRC delivers for the people even in the most challenging contexts.

6. Accountability

The ICRC strives for the highest standard of transparency, accountability and efficiency, ensuring accountability to conflict-affected individuals.

7. Value for money

The ICRC’s direct implementation modality offers greater value for money by reducing intermediaries while ensuring greater oversight in volatile contexts, requiring flexibility and shorter chain of command.