CIVIC: Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict

Q:   What does CIVIC mean by calling itself an advocacy organization?

A:   Advocacy is – generally speaking – the act of asking for, supporting, or recommending something. CIVIC’s advocacy work urges recognition and aid to victims of war. As advocates, we speak to civilians in conflict zones, we learn their stories and ask about their needs. Then we go to decision makers and speak on behalf of those civilians. We do the asking, the supporting, and the recommending on their behalf.

Q:   Does CIVIC work directly with individual war victims?

A:   As an advocacy organization, we do not provide direct aid to war victims. Rather, we work for large-scale policy change so that many more civilians are helped than would be otherwise if we used our limited resources for individual medical care, housing or compensation. Sometimes in our travels we come upon a particular war victim CIVIC is positioned to help. In that event, CIVIC turns to its large network of partner organizations providing humanitarian relief or medical care to address the case.

Q:   Is CIVIC aligned with a particular political party or ideology?

A:   No, we are a non-partisan, non-political advocacy organization. CIVIC is non-partisan because the issue of civilian suffering in war should not be seen as a partisan issue. CIVIC has supporters from across the political spectrum and we work with government officials from many political parties.

Q:   Does CIVIC receive Government funding?

A:   CIVIC is funded entirely by grants from private foundations and individual donations and does not take any money from the US or any other government.

Q:   Is CIVIC Anti-Military?

A:   No, CIVIC is not anti-military. We work closely with the military and organizations like NATO to achieve our goals, which we believe are in the best interest of all of us – military and civilians alike.

Q:   Does CIVIC have a stance on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?

A:   No, CIVIC does not have a particular stance on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan other than civilians should be avoided, recognized and helped when harmed. We work solely on mitigating the devastating impact these wars have on civilian populations.

Q:   Does CIVIC only work on conflicts with US forces involved?

A:   No, CIVIC is concerned for civilians caught in armed conflict around the world, not only as a result of US engagement. We have worked with NATO, the United Nations, press governments like Georgia, Russia, Pakistan, the Philippines to provide amends to civilians harmed in those conflicts. CIVIC calls upon all warring parties to protect civilians and help where they harm when protection efforts fail. CIVIC has traveled to Afghanistan, Iraq, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Lebanon and Israel to advocate for civilians harmed in conflict there.

Q:   Why doesn't CIVIC work on other issues connected to conflict, like the root causes of war or other negative consequences of armed conflict?

A:   We care deeply about both the causes and ramifications of war, of which there are too many to count. CIVIC, however, fills a unique role in the advocacy community by tackling the lack of recognition and help from warring parties for the civilian war victims they create. In this way, we do not duplicate the work of other organizations. CIVIC’s work bolsters both prevention efforts by pointing to every case of civilian harm as a case of failed protection and reconciliation/stability efforts by ensuring the resources war victims need to begin recovery.

Q:   How can I get involved in CIVIC's cause?

A:   There are many ways to support CIVIC's work, so be sure to visit our page on how to get involved. Some are as simple as shopping at your favorite on-line stores! Others ask you to write to an elected official or military leader.  We also welcome youth involvement, so check out our student website to find out more CIVICStudentAction.org.