Emergency Drawdown Fund -– ICRC Appeals CAP 2021

January 2021 - The International Committee of the Red Cross’ (ICRC) primary mission is to help protect people’s lives and dignity affected by conflict and other violent situation. The ICRC assists and prevents further suffering by promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. With GAC’s support the Emergency Drawdown Fund promotes early effective and timely humanitarian actions to respond to sudden-onset crises of significant humanitarian proportions mainly through the provision of life-saving activities such as health care protection services emergency shelter including water sanitation and hygiene services. This new funding mechanism enables the organization to be more responsive and timely in response to sudden-onset crisis to save more lives while minimizing transaction costs. Project activities include: (1) providing medical care access to water and sanitation facilities food assistance and livelihoods support; (2) providing Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies with technical expertise to strengthen their capacity in areas such as promoting international humanitarian law restoring family links and delivering relief in situations of armed conflict and violence; and (3) ensuring that international humanitarian law is respected in the treatment of detainees and civilians not taking part in hostilities.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to protection food assistance health services livelihood support and other essential services to people affected by new and unexpected crises of significant humanitarian proportions; (2) improved timeliness of emergency responses to ICRC organizations; and (3) increased operational capacities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.