Historical Timeline—ICRC, Geneva Conventions and the Republic of Korea

At the heart of the ICRC's humanitarian actions has always been technology. The history of communication devices ICRC used in the past ㅡ which were cutting-edge at the time ㅡ provides glimpses into the efforts the ICRC has made to assist people going through the worst times of their lives. Even in today's rapidly-changing conflict settings, the ICRC collaborates with various innovative and advanced technology institutions to extend a helping hand to those in need.

Talkie-Walkie, 1980-1990

Made in Switzerland and normally used by the police and federal railway officials, it was primarily used for short-range communication during ICRC missions from 1980 to 1993 especially in Lebanon, Angola, and Thailand. 
© ICRC

Brother typewriter, 1980

First introduced around 1995, in Nairobi for the conflict in Rwanda, this device allowed delegates to have "secret" conversations with their correspondents through what's called the amateur radio mode (AMTOR). 
©ICRC

Transceiver HF - Transworld PRC 1099, 1993-2000

Before the invention of lightweight satellite phones, the ICRC relied on these transceivers during their airborne missions in South Sudan and Somalia to contact their respective bases. 
©ICRC