New partnership agreement with ICRC

Anna Jóhannsdóttir, Deputy Permanent Secretary, and Robert Mardini, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed on 27 February 2024 a new partnership agreement on Iceland’s flexible and predictable financial support to the ICRC over the next three years. The agreement stipulates 30 million ISK annual contributions in support of ICRC’s core activities. 

“I welcome this agreement with the ICRC, which reaffirms Iceland’s longstanding support of its mission of ensuring protection and humanitarian assistance for victims and survivors of armed conflict. The ICRC also has a vital role in promoting respect for the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law,” says Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson. 

The Icelandic government also cooperates with the Icelandic Red Cross in the field of humanitarian assistance and development cooperation through which the work of ICRC and IFRC are supported. On 30 January 2024, Iceland announced an additional contribution of 25 m.ISK through the framework agreement towards the ICRC's humanitarian response in Gaza. 

“We are grateful to the Icelandic government for its commitment to supporting the ICRC through multi-year, unearmarked funding. Flexible contributions, such as the ones from Iceland, enable us to continue helping people deal with the effects of armed conflicts and compounded crises; respond rapidly to increasing humanitarian needs; and engage in essential humanitarian diplomacy in support of our operations,” says Director-General Robert Mardini.