Humanitarian policy and partnerships
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- 2023-24 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]
- $27.5 million
- 2022-23 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]
- $27.5 million
* Australia’s development efforts are set out in Partnerships for Recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) protects the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and provides them with assistance. It works to promote and strengthen international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles, in accordance with its special mandate. The ICRC works closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across its unique network to reach those most in need. It can reach people in need in the most difficult environments, such as protecting people affected by fighting in Syria, or providing life-saving healthcare in rural Myanmar.
Australia’s work with ICRC is guided by a multi-year partnership which ensures in ICRC’s life-saving operations, our priorities of protection, gender and disability inclusion are effectively addressed.
In 2020-21, Australia provided $25 million in global funding to the ICRC. This helped ICRC:
- support 16.3 million people with food assistance, income support and improved living conditions
- deliver medical assistance to over 15.5 million people
- build and maintain critical water and sanitation infrastructure benefitting 35 million people
- work with Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to reunite unaccompanied minors, affected by conflict or other violence, with their families
- protect civilians affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence, including victims of sexual violence
- promote and strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles through training and advocacy.