Civic

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization and advocacy founded in 2003 by Marla Ruzicka. CIVIC works on behalf of war victims, providing research and advocating policymakers. CIVIC is a part of the Making Amends Campaign.

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), formerly Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict, was founded by Marla Ruzicka in 2003. Marla, with the help of Senator Patrick Leahy, created the first-ever US-funded aid program dedicated to helping rebuild the lives of civilians unintentionally harmed by US combat operations. CIVIC works closely with the military and organizations such as NATO. Although Marla was killed by a suicide bomb in Baghdad in April 2005, her colleagues, friends and family continue to run CIVIC. A staff was hired in early 2006 and the organization expanded its mandate in early 2007 beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. CIVIC achievements include persuading the US Congress to develop programs that aid victims caught in the middle of widespread conflict.

CIVIC released a report in 2009 on civilian harm in Northwest Pakistan. It was based on a United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan report that estimated a 40% increase in the number of civilian deaths in 2008. Civic report concludes that civilian harm is compounded by widespread poverty and that while the Pakistani government does make amends most do not receive any due to deficiencies in compensation mechanisms and no effort from the US. Another survey released by an individual associated with CIVIC counted two thousand killed and four thousand injured. CIVICs reports suggest that the number of civilians killed and injured in war conflicts exceeds the number that the United States admits to.

CIVIC's mission statement reads: "Our mission is to improve protection for civilians caught in conflicts around the world. We call on and advise international organizations, governments, militaries, and armed non-state actors to adopt and implement policies to prevent civilian harm. When civilians are harmed we advocate for the provision of amends and post-harm assistance. We bring the voices of civilians themselves to those making decisions affecting their lives."

...
Wikipedia