The ICRC maintains a strong operational presence in Africa, with activities focused on protecting and assisting people directly affected by armed conflict or other forms of violence. It also works to promote greater recognition and much wider implementation of IHL throughout the continent.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Sudan remain among the ICRC's largest operations worldwide. Despite international peace initiatives, the situation remains volatile in North and South Kivu in the DRC, in Sudan's western Darfur region and in central and southern Somalia, resulting in casualties, population displacement and economic adversity.

In the Central African Republic, the newly opened ICRC delegation is stepping up efforts to meet the needs of the people affected by conflict in the north of the country. In Ethiopia, activities will be significantly reduced as a result of the government's expulsion of the ICRC in July 2007 from the Somali Regional State.

In situations such as eastern Chad where armed conflict has subsided, but the region remains unstable, or in Côte D'Ivoire, Eritrea and Uganda, where displaced people are beginning to return home, the ICRC aims to scale back emergency aid and focus on helping communities rebuild their livelihoods and key infrastructure.

Elsewhere, the ICRC continues to adapt its set-up and operations, downsizing where appropriate.