Nanking Safety Zone Committee

The Nanking Safety Zone Committee was an international group formed during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, aiming to protect Chinese civilians trapped in Nanking (Nanjing) after Japanese forces captured the city. The committee established "safety zones," designated areas where civilians could seek refuge, hoping to prevent further atrocities and reduce loss of life. Comprising foreign missionaries, journalists, and diplomats, the committee worked to coordinate aid and raise awareness of the violence. While it provided some protection, it could not prevent all atrocities, and its efforts are remembered as a significant attempt at safeguarding innocent civilians amid wartime chaos.