The Role of National Societies During International Armed Conflict Under IHL: An Operational View

This note outlines and explains the role of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies during international armed conflict under international humanitarian law (IHL). While it primarily focuses on roles under the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols which apply to National Societies of a party to the conflict, it also touches on some roles which apply to other National Societies or to National Societies as “impartial humanitarian organizations” in general. An international armed conflict is defined as a situation where one or more States resort to the use of armed force against another State. It exists regardless of whether the parties acknowledge the existence of a state of armed conflict or war. The law governing international armed conflicts also covers situations of occupation, including those established without meeting armed resistance.