In wartime, civilians suffer the most. Families are separated. Homes are destroyed. Food and water is scarce. Schools close. People are wounded or killed. Lives are shattered.

Additional Protocols I and II say that civilians must be spared the worst effects of conflict. They represent a milestone in the long history of efforts by the ICRC and the international community to secure greater protection.

Additional Protocol I lays down rules on the how wars may be fought. Combatants must take all feasible precautions in choosing weapons and methods of warfare in order to avoid incidental loss of life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects.

Additional Protocol II was the first-ever international treaty devoted exclusively to protecting people affected by non-international armed conflicts, or civil wars.

The Additional Protocols also:

• grant protection to all medical personnel, units and means of transport so that civilians can receive medical care during wartime
• require the warring parties to search for missing persons from the opposing side
• strengthen the obligation to provide civilians with food, water and other essentials.