The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has an exclusively humanitarian mission to protect the lives and dignity of people affected by armed conflict and other forms of violence, and is often associated with other organizations such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. We work closely with our members. The organization also strives to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.
The ICRC in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries strives to promote and ensure respect for the rules of war and promotes the ICRC’s work around the world through dialogue with governments, civil society, military and diplomatic officials. . The agency works in places of detention, helps find out what happened to missing persons, helps reunite families separated by armed conflict or migration, and works in places like Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. It works closely with the National Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). , and collaborate with other partner organizations.
The ICRC’s presence in the GCC countries began during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, when it was established in Kuwait with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In July 2022 and March 2023, the ICRC concluded Country Host Agreements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the UAE and Qatar, respectively. The ICRC has been active in all six GCC countries, including Oman since 2015 and Saudi Arabia since 2017. This document provides an overview of the ICRC’s activities in the region and its main achievements in 2022.