The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works around the world to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies while promoting respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organisation, and our mandate derives essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and their International Federation to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence.