Frequently asked questions about the ICRC’s work in Egypt

The ICRC and the ERC are part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which also comprises 191 other National Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This makes it the largest humanitarian network in the world. 

The ICRC and ERC are distinct entities united by shared humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. ERC is the national humanitarian coordinator in Egypt, acting as an independent auxiliary to the Egyptian authorities. The ICRC is an independent international organization mandated to protect and assist victims of war across the globe. 

In Egypt, the ICRC collaborates closely with the ERC—its main humanitarian partner in the country—to address diverse humanitarian needs and support vulnerable populations both within Egypt and the broader region. We partner in several fields, including emergency response preparedness, reestablishing family links and promotion of IHL and humanitarian principles. 

Since the escalation of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, the ICRC — together with the ERC and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) — has worked closely to provide critical support and relief from Egypt in response to the vast humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip. In partnership with ERC and PRCS, the ICRC delivered hundreds of aid trucks to Gaza through Egypt, carrying essential assistance over the past two years.