The DCAF-ICRC partnership, established in 2012, is dedicated to promoting responsible business conduct in complex and conflict-affected environments.
The Knowledge Hub is an interactive platform designed to compile practical guidance and tools for governments, civil society, and companies on business, security, and human rights.
Responsible security management is challenging in complex environments where governance is weak. Ineffective security management can result in risks to company operations and personnel and can jeopardize the human rights of local communities. In conflict-affected areas, companies can never be considered as neutral, as their mere presence and actions will inevitably impact the dynamics of conflict or crisis.
Where can companies turn to for guidance and support?
The DCAF-ICRC Knowledge Hub is a digital space designed to foster dialogue, facilitate learning and promote good business practices for companies in responsible security management and compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law.
Drawing on extensive experience and expertise of the ICRC and DCAF, as well as a vast network of practitioners, risk managers, and policymakers, the Knowledge Hub and Toolkit - our flagship guidance - provide comprehensive and dynamic resources for companies seeking to build synergies and trust-based relationships with security providers (public or private), governments, and local communities.
Notes from DCAF’s Mission to China
MorePrivate Businesses and Armed Conflict: An Introduction to Relevant Rules of International Humanitarian Law
More
Official Launch of the Chinese language version of the Conflict Prevention Tool
More
ESG Global Leaders Conference
More
During the meeting, Diao Chunhe welcomed the visit by Ji Borui and his delegation.
More
iCover Training
More
ACBASR
More
Sino-Africa Corporate Community Action Network on Sustainable Development
More
The DCAF-ICRC Partnership took part in the 2023 International Forum on Sustainable Mineral Supply Chains (SMISC Forum) organised by the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC) in Chengdu, China.
More
On Tuesday, 13 June 2023, DCAF-ICRC launched the Chinese version of the Toolkit during a multi-stakeholder event held in Beijing.
More
The Conflict Prevention Tool (CPT) was developed through a collaborative partnership of international experts, as an innovative framework for conflict management and resolution in relation to business operations. The overarching goal is to equip companies to proactively identify, analyze, and mitigate conflict-related risks. The CPT is therefore designed with a multi-layered approach in mind, focusing on identifying and analyzing risk indicators at three levels: country, corporate, and site.
The CPT supports the collection and synthesis of data gathered from a combination of desktop research and field-based consultations, leading to a practical measurement of conflict drivers to inform responsible stakeholder engagement for businesses operating in conflict-prone areas. A key feature of the CPT is in integrating a conflict prevention mindset across all company functions, fostering proactive risk identification and mitigation, with greater social awareness and responsibility. This is achieved by encouraging different teams within a company – such as enterprise risk, security, sustainability, human resources, procurement, and operations – to collaborate in conflict analysis, thereby ensuring a proactive risk management process, which can potentially reduce the direct and indirect costs of conflict on a company.

This brochure explains why, when and how international humanitarian law (IHL) is relevant to private businesses.
It is primarily intended for business people, particularly corporate legal counsel and others in corporate compliance or human rights due diligence roles.
However, it also aims to answer questions that humanitarian practitioners, legal experts, government officials and others frequently ask about business and IHL. The brochure provides a general introduction to IHL and highlights specific rules and protections that are particularly important for private business entities and their personnel.