Winter Camp 2026 on International Humanitarian Law Held for Ukrainian Red Cross Volunteers and Staff
A three-day Winter Camp on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) took place in Lviv, bringing together around 50 participants. They deepened their knowledge of international humanitarian law — the body of law applicable during armed conflicts that seeks to protect victims of war and limit the means and methods of warfare.
Opening remarks were delivered by Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross (via video address); Ivan Semerak, Head of the Lviv Regional Branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross; and Taras Podvirnyi, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Lviv region. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross also joined the opening and thematic session.
The programme covered key IHL topics, including:
- the history, principles and emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
- the relationship between IHL and human rights law;
- types of armed conflict;
- principles governing the conduct of hostilities;
- protection of civilians, including children, and civilian infrastructure;
- humanitarian access and protection of humanitarian personnel;
- accountability for war crimes.
The training was delivered by volunteer IHL trainers from the Ukrainian Red Cross, as well as invited experts, including Taras Podvirnyi and Volodymyr Lysyk, Associate Professor at the Department of International Law at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and Candidate of Legal Sciences.
Separate information sessions were dedicated to psychosocial support and Life Skills development.
Having gained new knowledge and practical experience, participants in the IHL Winter Camp 2026 will now be able to pass this on — helping to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law and the Red Cross emblem.
