For humanitarian organisations such as the ICRC, the digitalisation of conflict environments poses a series of concerns related to physical, societal, and psychological cognitive risks to affected populations. The main objective of this project is to develop a methodological framework that enables humanitarian actors to develop awareness and preparedness of the digital dimension of armed conflict, which will be the basis to design adequate responses to people’s needs. A core deliverable will be a tool that can be used easily by humanitarian workers to better detect and document relevant factors, such as risks and harms, of digitalized conflicts in order to develop adequate protection-centred responses and to state and non-state actors.

Expected Impact: Strengthening the ICRC’s ability to provide adequate protection responses to individuals facing harm due to the digital(ised) elements in conflict settings

ETH PI: Dr. Myriam Dunn Cavelty

ETH Partners: Sean Cordey, Sara Kostenbader, Wiktoria Gajos, Khadijah Mustapha

ICRC Partners: Joelle Rizk (Digital Threats Advisor), Mayank Verma (Digital Risk project officer), Cléa Thouin (Protection in the digital age consultant)

Photo: Copyright: ICRC/Brenda Islas/09.11.2018/Caption: México. Restoring Family Links (RFL) services were provided for the migrant caravan by the Mexican Red Cross and the ICRC./Reference: V-P-MX-E-00364

• Exhibition: “Digital Dilemmas – Humanitarian Consequences”: A dedicated section of the exhibition was reserved to feature ongoing work by EPFL, ETH, and EHA researchers, including this specific project.

• MOOC Lecture Series on Cyber Threats and Humanitarian Implications: In cooperation with ETH, EPFL, and ICRC, a three-session lecture series was developed for a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The lectures covered various aspects of cyber threats and their humanitarian implications, aiming to educate a broader audience on the intersection of digital risks and humanitarian concerns.

• Undergraduate Lecture at HSLU: A lecture on cyber threats and their humanitarian implications was prepared and delivered to undergraduate students at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU).

• In August 2024, the Principal Researcher participated in the launch event and discussions for the updated version of the Professional Standards for Protection Work (PSPW). This updated edition included a new chapter on digital risks to people affected by conflicts and other situations of violence, authored by the Principal  Researcher.