| 10 Avril 2013
AFRICA
South Sudan: In some of the remotest areas in the country, such as Jonglei, violence has forced entire communities to abandon their homes and belongings. To help them, the ICRC has distributed fishing tackle, seed and other vital aid to 37,000 people, while its water engineers have improved access to clean water. Read more in an operational update to be issued by mid-April.
Central African Republic: Since fighting erupted in Bangui on 23-24 March, ICRC staff have been hard at work attempting to meet the most urgent needs, for example by helping to restore the water supply and by delivering fuel to hospitals. Updates are being regularly posted on www.icrc.org.
Somalia: After two decades of conflict, tens of thousands of Somalis have been separated from their families. The ICRC in Somalia helps reunite these families in partnership with the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), and other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world. For more detailed information, read the feature and the interview and watch the video clip
MIDDLE EAST
Syria: The displacement of millions of people across Syria has resulted in complete dependency on humanitarian assistance in some parts of the country. Read the latest update and view photos that show just a few examples of the conflict's heavy toll on civilians. An update about our activities in favour of Syrian refugees in Lebanon will be issued by mid-April. Follow us on www.icrc.org and on twitter @icrc for regular updates on the humanitarian situation and the latest developments in the country.
Yemen: In Bateis, southern Yemen , the small health centre is a place where patients can find hope as well as a cure. Read more on http://www.icrc.org/eng/where-we-work/middle-east/yemen/index.jsp. Also in Yemen , a cattle-vaccination programme on which thousands of people rely is coming to an end. A news release and a photo gallery will be issued later this month.
Iraq: Access to clean water remains challenging in rural areas. The two thousand inhabitants of Abu Aissa, a village near Najaf, grow grapes and other fruits, but are abandoning agriculture because of lack of water and shortages caused by poor maintenance of water supply systems. Read the story on http://www.icrc.org/eng/where-we-work/middle-east/iraq/index.jsp.
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Myanmar: Violence that erupted on 20 March in Meikhtila, in the centre of the country, has driven some 10,000 people from their homes. Scores more have been killed or injured. Read more about what the Myanmar Red Cross and the ICRC are doing to help people hit by inter-communal violence on http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/update/2013/myanmar-inter-communal-violence-meikhtila.htm.
Afghanistan: As the international forces prepare to leave Afghanistan , the conflict rages on unabatedly. Gherardo Pontrandolfi, head of the ICRC delegation in Kabul , will address the media on Thursday 18 April to highlight the humanitarian challenges that continue to confront the civilian population. Watch the first of a series of four audio slideshows: Care amid conflict in Mirwais Hospital.
In February 2013, the ICRC launched a Dari and Pashto radio programme to inform local people and armed groups of the organization's activities in certain areas and to appeal for the support of all concerned to facilitate the ICRC's and the Afghan Red Crescent's work. A video interview with the producer and some listeners of the programme will be available on www.icrc.org/af on 30 April.
Bangladesh: In an interview to be published on www.icrc.org, the ICRC's head of delegation describes how the Bangladesh Red Crescent and the ICRC are responding to the needs of communities affected by political violence in the southern districts of Noakhali and Chittagong .
Nepal: Representatives of 10 countries will participate in an eight-day course on international humanitarian law in Kathmandu jointly organized by the ICRC and the Kathmandu School of Law from 5 to 12 April. The course is expected to bring together approximately 50 participants, mostly government officials from member States of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and from Iran and Myanmar . A news release will be published on 5 April.
LATIN AMERICA
Colombia: On 23 April, the ICRC delegation in Colombia will release its annual report for 2012 describing the impact of armed conflict on people in the different parts of the country where the organization is carrying out its work. The report includes personal accounts illustrating the humanitarian consequences of conflict and the ICRC's efforts to relieve people's suffering and restore their dignity.
EUROPE
Missing persons from the Balkan war: The fifth edition of the book of "Missing persons" will be released and distributed in Pristina during a public session of the working group on missing persons in Kosovo at the end of April. In addition, a round table will be organized with representatives of civil society.
OTHER TOPICS
Chemical Weapons: The ICRC is taking part in the Third Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which is being held in The Hague from 8 to 19 April. Watch the video interview of the ICRC's vice-president, Christine Beerli. Her statement to the conference will be available on 10 April. Read also the ICRC's position on this issue and an interview with Neil Davison, an ICRC expert on chemical weapons. Information will be available throughout the duration of the conference on Twitter and Facebook.
New film: Panorama - The ICRC in action worldwide: In a world racked by conflict and armed violence, the ICRC brings hope to millions of people. This film highlights the organization's work to protect and assist victims of war - treating the wounded, providing shelter and clean water, reuniting families and promoting respect for the rules of war. Neutral and independent, the ICRC is part of the world's largest humanitarian movement, bringing assistance to those in need, regardless of race, religion or politics.
150 years of humanitarian action: A photo exhibition featuring 150 years of humanitarian action will be presented in Moscow at the "Galérie des frères Lumière" from 19 to 25 April. For further information, please contact Victoria Zotikova, ICRC Moscow, at Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir. or on +7 903 725 1942.
