From Deeds to Impact: Geneva Call Marks 25 Years of Civilian Protection

This month, we are shining a spotlight on Geneva Call, a Swiss humanitarian organisation marking its 25th anniversary. Since 2000, Geneva Call has worked to protect civilians caught in armed conflict by engaging directly with armed groups and de facto authorities (AGDAs) - key actors in conflict zones who are often outside the scope of formal diplomacy.

The organisation was founded in response to the devastating legacy of anti-personnel landmines, which continue to kill and injure civilians long after fighting ends. From that initial focus, Geneva Call’s work has broadened significantly. Today, its mission is to improve civilian protection by promoting respect among AGDAs for international humanitarian norms and principles.

To achieve this, Geneva Call engages in humanitarian dialogue with a wide array of armed groups and de facto authorities to raise awareness of their responsibilities, encouraging them to sign Deeds of Commitment - formal pledges to uphold humanitarian standards. These Deeds cover a number of critical issues, including the protection of children in armed conflict, health care in armed conflict, sexual violence and gender discrimination. The organisation also supports implementation by providing tools, training, and monitoring mechanisms.

Over the past 25 years, Geneva Call has engaged with over 190 armed groups across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East - including in Syria, Colombia, Myanmar, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This work has resulted in over 100 Deeds of Commitment being signed.

Local teams operate in some of the world’s most complex and dangerous environments, delivering training and monitoring compliance to drive long-term, life-saving impact.

At Diversity Travel, we are proud to support Geneva Call’s global operations - enabling their teams to travel safely and efficiently to areas that are often difficult to reach. It’s a privilege to play a part in facilitating the critical humanitarian work they carry out every day.

With civilians bearing the brunt of today’s growing number of conflicts, Geneva Call’s work offers a vital lifeline. Children are able to return to school, families can move more safely through areas once littered with landmines, and survivors of sexual violence face a lower risk of repeated harm - reducing suffering and helping restore dignity and safety to civilian life during armed conflicts.

To learn more about Geneva Call’s work, visit www.genevacall.org.