Megan Rock

Together with our partners from the @FijiRedCross and IFRC's Country Cluster Delegation in the Pacific, we took a moment to reflect on the evolving humanitarian environment and to look ahead, together. ICRC's outgoing Head of Regional Delegation in the Pacific, @MRockICRC, expressed her appreciation for the strength of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement partnerships across the Pacific. She reaffirmed ICRC's commitment to Movement coordination, partnership, and impact in delivering principled humanitarian action in the region. The meeting also provided a valuable opportunity to discuss international humanitarian law (IHL), a cornerstone of ICRC's work in the Pacific and a shared priority for the RCRC Movement in protecting people affected by conflict and crisis.

The ICRC’s Regional Legal Adviser for the Pacific, Hannah Crothers, and Regional Cooperation Officer, Niumai Kavoa, met with Neumi Vakadewabuka, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Policy Adviser for Regional Security in Suva this week. The meeting brought together important discussions on regional peace and security, the Global IHL Initiative, and opportunities for future collaboration. The ICRC is committed to strengthening the understanding of International Humanitarian Law across the Pacific, and ensuring Pacific voices are always part of the conversation.

Respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) reduces suffering, saves lives and paves the way for peace. Our Head of Regional Delegation in the Pacific, Megan Rock, and Regional Legal Advisor, Hannah Crothers, along with members of our team in Suva, recently met with Ambassadors and High Commissioners from the Marshall Islands, Samoa and the Solomon Islands to share updates on the Global IHL Initiative and to hear valuable perspectives on strengthening respect for international humanitarian law in the Pacific and beyond. The Global IHL Initiative is an effort to secure a future where the fundamental rules of war are upheld. Read more: humanityinwar.org

The Regional Delegation in the Pacific welcomes Nara Gonzalez as our new Head of Mission for the ICRC in Papua New Guinea. Nara joins us with an incredibly broad and global background, bringing a wealth of international experience to our team. Her diverse expertise will be instrumental as we continue our work focusing on Protecting Family Links in Papua New Guinea. We look forward to the energy and perspective Nara brings to the ICRC’s Mission.

The rules of war are clear. In times of conflict, civilians should not become a target of military operations. 👉 They cannot be attacked. 👉 They must be protected. 👉 They are not a target.

Since the adoption of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), over 55 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed, vast areas of land cleared, and the production and transfer of these weapons have been drastically reduced.   These global efforts led to the number of casualties dropping by over 75 percent from its peak in the late 1990s, making the APMBC one of the most successful humanitarian disarmament treaties to date.

The ICRC Mission in Australia welcomed Ms. Maryann Horne, newly appointed Director of Partnerships and Preparedness at the Australian Civil-Military Centre (ACMC), for a courtesy visit in Canberra recently. Ms Horne and representatives of the ACMC met with Ann-Marie (Annie) McCabe, Head of Mission in Australia, along with Megan Rock, Head of Regional Delegation in the Pacific and the ICRC team in Canberra. This visit highlights the strong and enduring relationship between the ICRC and ACMC, emphasising a shared commitment to collaborating on addressing humanitarian challenges.

A heartfelt thank you to Australia for your unwavering support of the @ICRC. This week, our Asia Pacific Regional Director, @SaviozR, met with Steve Scott, Australia’s Humanitarian Coordinator, and senior officials from @dfat in Canberra to reaffirm the strong and valued partnership between Australia and the ICRC. We deeply appreciate Australia’s continued commitment to advancing International Humanitarian Law and humanitarian principles, including through the Global IHL Initiative and the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Together, we are making a difference.

Building stronger partnerships for greater humanitarian impact.   In Melbourne, ICRC Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific @SaviozR, Head of Regional Delegation in the Pacific @MRockICRC, Head of Mission in Australia Ann-Marie McCabe and Regional Cooperation Coordinator Belinda Barnard met with @RedCrossAU leadership to strengthen ties and discuss joint efforts on humanitarian challenges.   As crises grow in number and complexity, we’re working together as a Movement to address the needs of people affected by conflict across the globe.

ICRC Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, @SaviozR, and the Head of Regional Delegation in the Pacific, @MRockICRC, met with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington this week to strengthen our partnership and address pressing humanitarian challenges together. The discussions provided an opportunity to share strategic updates on global and regional issues and explore ways to enhance collaboration in the Pacific region and beyond. We are sincerely grateful for New Zealand’s steadfast support which continues to make a vital difference.

Glad to join Sarah (Norm) Stuart-Black at Red Cross House in Wellington, NZ for an engaging conversation about how @ICRC and NZRC can innovate, adapt and prepare for growing challenges in the world today. Thank you Norm & NZRC, I look forward to continuing our collaboration!

The @ICRC Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, @SaviozR , met with partners of the #RCRC Movement in Suva recently to share and listen to reflections and perspectives on humanitarian priorities across the region. Joined by the IFRC, Fiji Red Cross Society, Japanese Red Cross Society, French Red Cross, and the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society, Regis Savioz highlighted the @ICRC's continued efforts to promote respect for international humanitarian law (IHL).

The ICRC's Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, @SaviozR , accompanied by the ICRC Head of Regional Delegation in the Pacific @MRockICRC and Regional Legal Adviser Hannah Crothers, paid a courtesy visit to Fiji’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua at the @Fiji_MFAET , in Suva, Fiji, yesterday. The visit provided an opportunity to share an update on the #GlobalIHLInitiative. Launched in 2024 by the @ICRC and six co-founding states, the Initiative aims to bolster political commitment to IHL, urging compliance to protect civilians and preserve humanity in conflict.

With conflicts growing in number, duration, and complexity, the ICRC is calling for renewed commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL). @ICRC's Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, @SaviozR is here in Suva, Fiji, and will be visiting New Zealand and Australia to reinforce this message.

🟥 On #RedHandDay, we reaffirm: Stop recruiting and using children in war. #IHL protects them and respect for IHL is possible. 🎥 Watch how some parties have demobilized and reintegrated child recruits: vimeo.com/1060800236 #ChildProtection #ICRC @ICRC

Respect for International Humanitarian Law is the only way to preserve humanity in war. Yet across the globe, respect for IHL is in crisis. This is what I shared with Law Ministers from @commonwealthsec countries at #CLMM in Fiji today. My statement: icrc.org/en/statement/w…

Today marks five years since the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entered into force. Nuclear weapons are unique in their destructive power, in the unspeakable human suffering they cause and in the threat they pose to the environment. The Pacific is a region that knows the devastating cost of these weapons all too well, through the unique legacy of nuclear weapons testing. Now, with eleven Pacific nations party to the Treaty, the region is demonstrating global leadership in disarmament and the protection of the natural environment. We’re urging all states to join the #TPNW without delay. It’s the most effective step any state can take toward achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.

The Marshall Islands has become the first Pacific Island nation to join the Global IHL Initiative. This marks a significant development for the Pacific region in making #InternationalHumanitarianLaw a political priority. To learn more about the Global IHL Initiative, click here: upholdhumanityinwar.org

🎥 Watch the highlights from the Pacific Red Cross Leaders Meeting 2025 in Suva, Fiji Under the theme “Stronger Together – Pacific solidarity in times of change”, Pacific Red Cross leaders came together to reflect on, and shape principled humanitarian action in a changing world.

The @ICRC Regional Delegation in the Pacific, together with the Presidents, Secretary Generals, and Youth Representatives from 14 Pacific Red Cross National Societies, including colleagues from the @IFRCAsiaPacific, gathered in Suva, Fiji, to celebrate 60 years of the Fundamental Principles. Sixty years on, the Fundamental Principles remain as relevant as ever in protecting what makes us humanitarians. #OnTheSideOfHumanity