The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a ‘Humanitarian Policy and Technology Platform’.

The platform aims to generate and facilitate research and discussions on the new technologies for humanitarian action and the compliance of new technologies of warfare with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The platform will undertake a plan of action that would focus on two key areas:

(i)         application of innovative technologies to improve the quality of humanitarian action; and

(ii)         the implication of new technologies of warfare for IHL.

Speaking at the signing of the MoU Jeremy England, Head of the Regional Delegation said: “The ICRC is excited about this partnership with IITD, an institute of great eminence here in India. We hope that this Humanitarian Policy and Technology Platform will bring together experts from IIT, ICRC and multiple stakeholders from the Asia region and beyond to address current global humanitarian policy challenges in the context of ever evolving technologies. As always, Red Cross will bring a focus on the people most affected by humanitarian crises, and looks forward to learning from scientific and policy expertise of the many stakeholders in this initiative.”

Jeremy England and Prof V Ramgopal Rao sign the MoU for Humanitarian Policy and Technology Platform. @ICRC

Commenting on the MoU, Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi said: “IIT Delhi is honoured and excited to join hands with the ICRC to develop this Humanitarian Policy and Technology Platform, which will draw upon both the ICRC’s long history and unique expertise in supporting humanitarian activities and IIT Delhi’s deep expertise in technology and emerging focus on public policy. We believe this platform will play an important role in responding to the challenges and opportunities in humanitarian action in an era of rapid technological advances. I am confident the two institutions can work together to develop knowledge and solutions that will advance significantly the humanitarian cause in the Asia region and beyond.”

Prof V Ramgopal Rao felicitates Jeremy England at the MoU ceremony. @ICRC

The Humanitarian Policy and Technology Platform would facilitate bringing together subject experts along with a relevant ecosystem of partners to review and define global humanitarian policies and future technology application for addressing humanitarian needs. With evolving technologies, this platform becomes significant, as it will help in creating a dialogue between ICRC’s global humanitarian policy and field experience, and IITD’s expertise at the intersection of technological development and impact.