The ICRC in a nutshell. This is a detailed introduction to the ICRC's work and explains in everyday language what the ICRC is, how it came into being and what it does. The ICRC was founded nearly a century and a half ago to preserve a measure of humanity in the midst of war. Discover the ICRC explains this history, the values of the ICRC and gives a broad overview of the organization's major activities throughout the world in the fields of protection, assistance and prevention.