In 1863, a group of Swiss citizens, inspired by the writings of Henry Dunant, convened in Geneva to address the humanitarian crisis faced by soldiers on battlefields. Amid the conflicts of the time, particularly the gruesome battles of the Second Italian War of Independence, it became evident that many wounded soldiers were left without care. To rectify this dire situation, the citizens of Geneva formed the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded. This organization was founded with the primary goal of ensuring that medical assistance and relief were provided to wounded soldiers, regardless of which side they belonged to in a conflict.

The committee drafted a set of principles, including the importance of neutrality, impartiality, and independence in the provision of humanitarian aid. These principles shaped the committee's operations and firmly established its focus on alleviating human suffering in warfare. These discussions and decisions culminated in the adoption of the emblem of the Red Cross, which became a symbol of humanitarian work and protection for aid workers in conflict zones.

As the committee expanded its mission and gained recognition, it played a crucial role in shaping international humanitarian law. Its focus on the suffering of individuals in war laid the foundation for the broader movement of humanitarian assistance that would grow in the following decades. Eventually, the organization evolved into the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which remains a key player in global humanitarian efforts today, influencing various international treaties and laws related to armed conflict.