Magne Barth started working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Afghanistan in 2000. From then he spent two decades giving assistance and protection to the people who needed it, in places torn apart by conflict—Cambodia, South Sudan, Pakistan—before working as Head of Delegation in Iraq, Syria and Russia.

In 2013, his colleagues were kidnapped by the Islamic State group in Syria. Such is the danger of providing humanitarian aid.

A Heart for War Victims is the story of Magne's work with the ICRC, traveling to places of armed conflict and insecurity, engaging in dialogue with authorities and opposition groups, visiting prisons and remote communities and, above all, meeting the victims of war themselves. It is the story of his contribution to a larger humanitarian effort, at times challenging, but always very meaningful.

With an introduction from Easterine Kire, this book brings together the letters written by Magne from his various missions, documenting a personal and professional journey and providing a glimpse of the impact humanitarian field work has on people. Putting the politics aside, this book places humanity at its heart.

. .