GPPlatform

The ICRC works with the other components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The aim of cooperation is to increase the operational capabilities of the National Societies, above all in countries affected or likely to be affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence. It further aims to increase the ICRC’s ability to interact with National Societies and work in partnership with them. The cooperation approach aims to optimize the Movement’s humanitarian work by making the best use of complementary mandates and skills in operational matters such as protection, assistance and prevention. It involves drawing up and implementing the policies of the Movement that are adopted during its statutory meetings and building the capacities of the National Societies, helping them to adhere at all times to the Fundamental Principles. The ICRC shares its expertise with the National Societies in their domestic and international activities. It does this by: strengthening both the National Societies’ capacity to take action and provide appropriate services in times of armed conflict and other situations of violence in their own country and the ICRC’s action and operational capacity through its interaction and partnership with National Societies promoting operational partnerships with National Societies in their own countries and with those working internationally in order to respond to the needs of people affected by conflicts or other situations of violence promoting dialogue and having regular communication on issues of common concern with National Societies and the International Federation Secretariat.

The ICRC is a member of the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR). The SCHR's mission is to bring together the major international humanitarian networks with common values to make this vision reality. SCHR members pool experience and use their collective weight to carry out effective humanitarian action by: sharing relevant information among member agencies and fostering cooperation at all levels; highlighting issues of humanitarian concern and, where possible, adopting common positions; establishing working groups to study in depth relevant humanitarian issues and policies, especially on standards, accountability, security and protection; engaging, where possible, in joint advocacy on humanitarian issues and situations; engaging with the UN humanitarian system, and actively participating in the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC); playing a leading role in ongoing debates about humanitarian standards; conducting peer reviews to learn from one another and improve our humanitarian response; regularly bringing the principals of our members together to build trust leading to further synergies at all levels of our work.

The ICRC follows the work of UN bodies in New York and Geneva such as the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the
Peacebuilding Commission, the Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, offering its expertise on matters related to IHL and issues of humanitarian concern. It also engages in regular exchanges with the various UN and non-UN humanitarian agencies.

The ICRC actively participates in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), in its capacity as standing invitee. It played an active role in the IASC’s main meetings, working groups, information meetings and sub-groups, such as the IASC Informal Group on Humanitarian Space. ICRC field delegations attended coordination meetings and cooperated with UN staff to develop Common Humanitarian Action Plans in an effort to prevent duplication or gaps in relief aid.

The aim of cooperation is to increase the operational capabilities of the National Societies, above all in countries affected or likely to be affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence. It further aims to increase the ICRC’s ability to interact with
National Societies and work in partnership with them. The cooperation approach aims to optimize the Movement’s humanitarian work by making the best use of complementary mandates and skills in operational matters such as protection, assistance and prevention. It involves drawing up and implementing the policies of the Movement that are adopted during its statutory meetings and building the capacities of the National Societies, helping them to adhere at all times to the Fundamental Principles. The ICRC shares its expertise with the National Societies in their domestic and international activities. It does this by: strengthening both the National Societies’ capacity to take action and provide appropriate services in times of armed conflict and other situations of violence in their own country and the ICRC’s action and operational capacity through its interaction and partnership with National Societies promoting operational partnerships with National Societies in their own countries and with those working internationally in order to respond to the needs of people affected by conflicts or other situations of violence promoting dialogue and having regular communication on issues of common concern with National Societies and the International Federation Secretariat.

The ICRC coordinates its activities in the field with other reality based, action-oriented humanitarian actors. It coordinates humanitarian operations in the field through its delegations with UN country teams and NGOs. The ICRC will continue its practical coordination with a broad range of UN and non-UN actors, independently of the "label" attributed to the venue (whether cluster, UNCT or IASC in-Country Team meeting). While emphasising its independence, the ICRC is currently exploring new ways of extending its cooperation with other humanitarian actors.