Ukraine: Robert Mardini addresses deliberate, targeted attacks that use false narratives and disinformation to discredit the ICRC

As humanitarian needs in Ukraine increase by the hour, the ability of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance is today being jeopardised by a surge of misinformation and disinformation. Robert Mardini, ICRC's Director-General, addresses these deliberate, targeted attacks that use false narratives and disinformation to discredit the ICRC.

“False allegations and accusations are circulating about the International Committee of the Red Cross. They have a huge potential to cause harm to the people we serve and to our Red Cross teams on the ground,” Mr Mardini said.

Neutral and impartial humanitarian action must be respected, both ICRC’s and others. ICRC’s sole mandate is to assist and protect victims of armed conflict and violence wherever they are.

“The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is nothing short of catastrophic. People are being killed, injured, maimed on the move, leaving everything behind, living in constant fear of violence, death and running out of basic supplies, water, sanitation, food supplies, medicines. It is untenable. It is unbearable and parties to the conflict must ensure that civilians have a respite,” Mr Mardini said.

Note to editors:

1. The ICRC has been working in Ukraine since 2014, supporting people affected by conflict. Since the recent escalation of the crisis, we have brought over 500 tons of medical supplies, food and relief items into the country to respond to skyrocketing humanitarian needs. We will continue to scale up our work and now have teams in 10 locations across the country.

2. Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. A neutral, independent and impartial organization, its mandate stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and works in more than 100 countries.

For more information:

Jason Straziuso (English, French), ICRC Geneva, jstraziuso@icrc.org, Tel.: +41 79 949 35 12

Crystal Wells (English), ICRC Geneva, cwells@icrc.org, Tel.: +41 79 642 80 56

Chris Hanger (English, German, French), ICRC Geneva, changer@icrc.org, Tel: +41 77 260 26 79

Loglist :           

ICRC Ref: 20220329-Ukraine-Mardini

Date: 29 March 2022

Location: ICRC HQ, Geneva

Camera: Caitlin Kelly

00:00    The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is nothing short of catastrophic. People are being killed, injured, maimed on the move, leaving everything behind, living in constant fear of violence, death and running out of basic supplies, water, sanitation, food supplies, medicines. It is untenable. It is unbearable and parties to the conflict must ensure that civilians have a respite. 

00:31    False allegations and accusations are circulating about the International Committee of the Red Cross. They have a huge potential to cause harm to the people we serve and to our Red Cross teams on the ground.

00:45    The first terrible allegation is the fact that the ICRC is facilitating forced evacuation of civilians. This is absolutely wrong. The ICRC will never facilitate any evacuation of civilians against their will. A second accusation is about setting up a refugee camp in Southern Russia. This is not happening. The ICRC does not run or open or set up any refugee camps, not in southern Russia and everywhere else. 

01:20    Neutrality and impartiality and the perception of neutrality and impartiality is at the heart of our license to operate. This is how we build acceptance by parties to the conflict. This is how we can really cross front lines to help people in need of our support. And this is why it is so important that this is preserved at any time. And of course, misinformation disinformation is a massive harm to the public good of the Red Cross being able to operate in the worst of circumstances.

01:59    ENDS