Center for Civilians in Conflict

04/30/2026

In the midst of conflict, the invisible wounds of gender-based violence (GBV) often go unspoken. To address this critical issue, Центр з питань захисту цивільного населення в умовах конфлікту CIVIC recently joined a public event in Dnipro, Ukraine, to foster dialogue, strengthen protection, and build trust within the community.

📣 As Ganna Gerasymenko, CIVIC’s Gender Advisor in Ukraine, notes:
"Not all survivors seek help from the police due to fear, shame, or a lack of trust in authorities."

This event was designed to bridge that gap, bringing together the National Police and local residents to ensure that no one has to face these risks alone.

04/16/2026

This year, Marla Ruzicka, CIVIC’s founder, would have turned 50. She was killed on this day in Baghdad in 2005 while advocating for civilians harmed in conflict.

Yet, the realities she worked to confront persist.

Civilians are still being killed, injured, and displaced in conflict, including across the Middle East, where the scale and intensity of violence continue to upend civilian life.

CIVIC's new Marla Project continues her vision and advances work to investigate, recognize, and respond to civilian harm. Supporting this effort remains critical.

Learn more about the Marla Project and the legacy it carries forward: https://civiliansinconflict.org/press-releases/civic-launches-marla-ruzicka-project-for-amends-and-redress/

04/16/2026

At Ethereum Community Conference this year, CIVIC director of Philanthropy Mario Stephan took the stage to explore how blockchain can help protect civilians in conflict.

For CIVIC, this marks an important step: entering the crypto philanthropy space with a clear objective: unlocking faster, more transparent, and more flexible funding to protect those caught in conflict.

❓ Why does this matter❓

Because in today’s conflicts, needs evolve rapidly. Traditional funding often can’t keep pace. Blockchain-enabled philanthropy opens the door to:

• Real-time support to communities at risk
• Greater transparency and trust for donors
• New partnerships across tech and humanitarian ecosystems

This is not about following a trend. It’s about expanding the toolbox to better serve civilians affected by conflict. The future of philanthropy is being reshaped, and CIVIC intends to help shape it responsibly.

04/02/2026

📍 The Federal Government of Somalia has officially adopted the National Civilian Protection Policy (NCPP), marking a major milestone in strengthening the protection of civilians during conflict and security operations.

This policy isn’t just words on paper; it is a framework for action designed to prevent, mitigate, and respond to harm. Key pillars include:

🚨 Early Warning Systems to anticipate threats.
🛡️ Strengthened Safeguards for internally displaced populations.
🏥 Enhanced Protection for humanitarian personnel.
⚖️ Oversight Mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency.

As Ahmed Ibrahim, CIVIC’s Director for Somalia & Kenya, says: "If this framework is properly applied, it can reduce harm in very practical ways."

CIVIC is proud to have supported the development of this policy. We will continue to provide technical advisory and advocacy support to ensure the NCPP is fully operationalized across all ministries and federal member states.

👉 Read the full press release here: shorturl.at/qFsNb

03/30/2026

That was Mohammad’s reality in Nigeria, he feared being targeted by Boko Haram and security forces. With CIVIC’s support, he found new ways to feel safe again and protect his community.

👉 We are working on the ground to bridge the gap between people at risk and those with the power and responsibility to protect them.

🌍 See our impact in Nigeria: explore the data, results, and major outputs across the country 👉 https://civic.shorthandstories.com/nigeria/

03/25/2026

Happening tomorrow: The Beyond Compliance Consortium Global Virtual Event on Emergent Themes Across Eight Contexts of Armed Conflict.

Drawing on research across DRC, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Colombia, Ukraine, Myanmar, and South Sudan, this event will examine civilian harm, restraint, and implications for more effective protection.

Part 1: 10:00–12:00 GMT | Part 2: 13:30–15:30 GMT

Register for this free, online event here:

Part I (Sessions 1-2): 10:00-12:00 GMTPart II (Sessions 3-4): 13:30-15:30 GMTFormat: Online Zoom WebinarInterpretation provided in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Ukrainian

03/25/2026

Join the interactive discussion, ‘Protecting Civilians Amid Escalating Regional Conflict in the Middle East’.

Organized by Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), in collaboration with Humanity & Inclusion US(HI) and International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), the webinar aims to discuss the current regional dynamics, their implications for civilian protection, and identify practical steps that humanitarian organizations and partners can take to mitigate harm.

Agenda:
- Overview and Brief - CIVIC
- Operational Impacts on Vulnerable Populations - HI
- Regional Coordination and role of civil society - ICVA

Panel Discussion with
- Myra Saade, Diakonia, Manager and Senior Legal Adviser
- Skylar Thompson, Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), Deputy Director,
- Carlo Gherardi, NRC, Regional Director EURASIA
- Eng. Mohammed Bader Al-Sada, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), Assistant Secretary-General for Relief and International Development

📅 March 30
🕙 2:00 pm CET / 04:00 pm AST / 08:00 am EST
🔗 Kindly confirm your participation by replying email: [email protected]

03/23/2026

As hostilities escalate across the Middle East, so does civilian harm.

Civilians are facing rising risks including displacement, damage to critical infrastructure, and limited access to essential services.

Urgent action is needed to protect civilians, ensure accountability, and prevent further harm.

Read our statement here: https://lnkd.in/gyK_yhxk

03/23/2026

In many parts of Nigeria, the line between safety and insecurity is thin. In this context, the most effective solutions are coming from the communities themselves.

👉 Discover our latest digital experience showcasing our work across Nigeria where we are:

- Helping communities stay safe
- Influencing government policy to reduce harm
- Building trust between civilians and security forces

Witness the impact with success stories, a deep dive into our geographic focus and our key results

🔗 https://civic.shorthandstories.com/nigeria/