The ICRC maintained a permanent presence in 79 countries throughout the world. Its delegations were distributed as follows.

The average number of ICRC staff in 2004 was as follows:

The ICRC collected and distributed 1,362,358 Red Cross messages, thus enabling members of families separated as a result of conflict, disturbances or tension to exchange news.

It established the whereabouts of 6,166 people for whom tracing requests had been filed by their families.

The ICRC also helped 2,784 people to rejoin their families. It issued travel documents that enabled 9,695 people to return to their home countries or to settle in a host country.

In 2004, 53 of the ICRC's 79 operational and regional delegations ran assistance programmes. The bulk of the work was carried out in Afghanistan, the Caucasus, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel and the occupied and autonomous territories, Liberia, Sudan (South and Darfur), Somalia and, at the end of the year, in Southern Asia.

Economic Security

During the year, ICRC activities to ensure economic security directly benefited households and communities in 34 countries worldwide. More than 1,324,000 internally displaced people, residents and persons deprived of their freedom received aid in the form of food, 2,239,000 in the form of essential household and hygiene items and 1,121,000 through sustainable food-production programmes or micro-economic initiatives. These included various response mechanisms ranging from the rehabilitation of traditional irrigation systems to small-scale community-based cash-for-work and livestock-management/support projects.

Water and habitat

In 2004, the ICRC's water and habitat unit was involved in water, sanitation and construction work in 40 countries. These projects catered for the needs of some 19.4 million people worldwide. They were implemented by a team of 81 expatriate engineers and 724 local engineers and technicians.

Health-care services

During the year, on average the ICRC regularly supported 48 hospitals and 200 other health-care facilities around the world each month. Community health programmes were implemented in 11 countries, in many cases with National Society participation.

An estimated 2,722,000 people benefited from ICRC-supported health-care facilities.

More than 10,576 war-wounded were admitted to ICRC-supported hospitals in 11 countries where more than 82,487 surgical interventions were performed. The ICRC regularly supported 9 first-aid posts located near combat zones, which provided emergency treatment mainly for war-wounded.

Care for the disabled

The ICRC's physical rehabilitation unit provided support to 68 prosthetic and orthotic centres in 36 countries, enabling patients to be rehabilitated and fitted with 17,805 prostheses and 20,915 orthoses. In addition, 1,671 wheelchairs and 16,167 pairs of crutches were distributed, most of them locally manufactured. Training of local staff was a priority to improve sustainable services for patients.

In 2004, a total of 47 National Societies in countries affected by armed conflict or internal strife worked closely with the ICRC in programmes ranging from aid distribution and medical services to tracing and preventive action. Furthermore, 13 National Societies from third party countries capable of mobilizing support and taking a direct part in international relief activities were also involved in the implementation of ICRC objectives in 35 projects carried out in 12 countries.

In 2004, the ICRC spent CHF 58 million on programmes to strengthen National Society capacity (cooperation programmes), providing support for:

• 133 National Societies in their work to promote and spread knowledge of humanitarian law and the Fundamental Principles;
• 104 National Societies in their work to restore family links;
• 89 National Societies in their preparedness for health and relief assistance during conflict;
• 20 National Societies in their community awareness programmes for mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).

Communicating information in relation to major humanitarian crises was a priority for the Communication Department in 2004. Communication activities were based on a multimedia approach which included the expansion of the existing ICRC website, the launch of the new Portuguese version mid-year and the re-modelling of the Russian website.

Numerous seminars on IHL were held throughout the year worldwide for armed and security forces, other weapons bearers and police forces. The ICRC participated in more than 10 military exercises in Europe and similar events elsewhere in the world. These activities were carried out by 21 specialized delegates supported by a multinational network of officer instructors.

In 2004, the Media Relations Unit in Geneva issued 74 press releases, 155 news items, 92 information bulletins, 106 briefing and information notes, and organized 8 press conferences.

The Exploring Humanitarian Law (EHL) teaching module, launched in 2001, was tested in the classrooms of some 33 countries during the year.

Throughout the year the ICRC provided advice and supported programmes related to mines and ERW in 27 countries.

The Library and Research Service responded to some 3,000 requests from National Societies, NGOs, academics, government departments and the media. In addition, 6,118 films were distributed worldwide and more than 470 million hits were registered on the ICRC website. The Auditorium Service received nearly 10,000 visitors.