The International Humanitarian Law program at the American Red Cross aims to educate the American public about international humanitarian law. The American Red Cross has a mandate to strengthen the rule of law and alleviate the suffering of victims of armed conflict and other humanitarian crises.
What is IHL? International humanitarian law — also known as the law of armed conflict or law of war — is the body of law which seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict by codifying protections for individuals who are not, or are no longer, taking part in fighting, and restrictions on the means (particularly weapons) and methods of warfare (military tactics).
How we promote IHL. The American Red Cross educates the public regarding international humanitarian law and humanitarian values through classes, discussions and events (film screenings, subject expert talks, and panel sessions).
The Born on the Battlefield course offered by the chapter to internal audiences discusses the international scope of the Red Cross and includes material about the Geneva Conventions, the basic rules of international humanitarian law, and the role of the Red Cross in international humanitarian crises.
How you can help
More than 90 percent of our total work force is composed of volunteers. Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. If you’d like to volunteer with any of the International Services programs above, join our team today.
The American Red Cross, in collaboration with the global Red Cross Movement, helps reconnect families that have been separated internationally by armed conflicts, disasters, migration, and other humanitarian crises. In situations such as these, normal means of communication break down, families are split up and people go missing.
How we can help. The American Red Cross can:
There is no charge for any of these services!
Contact. You can also initiate an inquiry through the International Reconnecting Families Inquiry Form.
How you can help
More than 90 percent of our total work force is composed of volunteers. Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. If you’d like to volunteer with any of the International Services programs above, join our team today.
The American Red Cross’s International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Youth Action Campaign empowers youth and young adults, ages 13-24, to learn about international humanitarian law—the body of law that governs armed conflict.
Young people volunteer to educate the American public on IHL by exploring topics with their communities through peer-to-peer education campaigns. Youth teams participate in an IHL training, during which they learn how to build their own educational campaigns and conduct in-person and social media activities to promote awareness around IHL.
To be an advocate for the Youth Action Campaign, please join the Red Cross Club at your school.
Read about the regional 2022-2023 YAC winning team through our blog.
If you are interested in taking an IHL class, want to learn more about RFL or have any questions, please contact Nikki.Rowe@redcross.org.