<Li> The International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) is a private humanitarian institution founded in 1863 in Geneva , Switzerland , by Henry Dunant and Gustave Moynier . Its 25 - member committee has a unique authority under international humanitarian law to protect the life and dignity of the victims of international and internal armed conflicts . The ICRC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on three occasions ( in 1917 , 1944 and 1963 ) . </Li>
when was the international red cross established and why
1863 to protect the life and dignity of the victims of international and internal armed conflicts