On February 17, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) celebrates 160 years of humanitarian action. Since 1863 the organization has worked – guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence – to help people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence around the world.
The history of the ICRC is the history of the people who over the years have suffered the humanitarian consequences of conflict and violence and who have placed their trust in humanitarian workers who strive every day to prevent and alleviate distress. and the pain; We have been present in the most painful moments of thousands of people, and have worked with them to build responses that meet their humanitarian needs.
Today the ICRC is present in more than 100 countries, where it works hand in hand with its partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In Mexico and Central America, the ICRC has been present during the internal armed conflicts that took place in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua – countries in which it continues to have a presence – and in Mexico and Honduras in order to protect the lives and dignity of people affected by armed violence.
Throughout these years, the ICRC has worked in Mexico and Central America so that people separated as a result of violence and migration can have news of their loved ones, so that people deprived of liberty receive humane treatment, to so that people who have lost a part of their body in the context of migration or violence can have access to physical rehabilitation, so that migrants and displaced people have access to humanitarian services and receive dignified treatment, and so that deceased persons are treated with dignity and everything possible is done to restore their identity and return them to their families.
Protecting people’s lives and dignity is at the heart of our humanitarian action. We will continue our efforts to preserve humanity and reduce suffering.
On the 160th anniversary of our humanitarian action, we want to thank the people who have trusted our neutral, impartial and independent work and who have allowed us to accompany them; as well as the humanitarian personnel who throughout this time have dedicated their efforts to help those who need it most.