Pierre Krähenbühl, Director of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) since 2024, has raised serious concerns over the increasing number and duration of armed conflicts around the world.

In an interview with RTL, the veteran humanitarian stressed the mounting challenges faced by aid workers on the front lines.

"We are currently witnessing around 130 armed conflicts globally", Krähenbühl said. "Many of them have lasted for years – in places like Israel, Colombia, and Afghanistan."

What was once meant to be short-term emergency relief has now become a long-term mission, stretching humanitarian resources to their limits.

One of the most alarming situations is in the Gaza Strip, where the ICRC is operating a field hospital that treats hundreds of wounded people each day. The risks to humanitarian workers are unprecedented: "Since October 2023, around 400 aid workers have been killed. These are figures I have never seen in my 30-year career", he said.

Despite the dangers, Krähenbühl reaffirmed the Red Cross's core principle of neutrality. "We do not take sides – we protect human lives. That is what allows us access to conflict zones and enables us to help those in need."

But the ICRC is also facing serious financial constraints. Its annual budget has dropped by nearly €1 billion over the past four years, now standing at around €2 billion. As a result, the organisation has been forced to reassess its priorities. Ongoing crises in Israel-Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan are now top of the list, while operations elsewhere are being scaled back – a reality that means many vulnerable populations may no longer receive support.

Krähenbühl also highlighted Luxembourg’s important role as a partner: “Luxembourg plays a leading role in promoting international humanitarian law and supports us in preparing for new forms of warfare, such as cyberattacks and autonomous weapons.”

Video report in Luxembourgish: