During the meeting, Cordula Droege, Chief Legal Officer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stressed that the international humanitarian law (IHL) is the main instrument to protect human life and dignity in armed conflict. She outlined the current challenges and possible measures to strengthen compliance with IHL. Currently, the ICRC keeps track of more than 130 military conflicts around the world. This is much more compared to the past decades, and political change, blurring alliances, and rapid technological progress increase the risk of conflicts, which can cause grave consequences for the civilian population.

The effects of the hostilities can be seen just across Poland’s eastern border. In the war between Russia and Ukraine, drones and missiles hurt civilians far beyond the front lines. Critical infrastructure is also being destroyed. More than 200,000 people have been reported missing to the ICRC, both servicemen and civilians.

The ICRC is Poland’s important partner in its activity to aid those most in need. Together, we support victims of military conflicts, promote international humanitarian law, and carry out humanitarian projects. In 2025, Poland transferred around PLN 4.5 million to the ICRC as a voluntary contribution to the humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

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The International Committee of the Red Cross is an independent, neutral organisation providing humanitarian protection and aid to victims of war operations and other forms of violence since 1863. More about the ICRC: LINK