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News Yemen: despite ceasefire, needs remain acute in north of country 4-3-2010 Operational update 9-2-2010 Operational update Includes Map Section ICRC operations in the Middle East and North Africa Activities throughout the world: a country-by-country round-up of the ICRC’s work in the Middle East and North Africa. ICRC / il-e-01600
Gaza, January 2009
The ICRC remains committed to helping people who suffer from both today's violence in the region and the consequences of past conflicts. It does so through its operational activities and its efforts to promote respect for international humanitarian law (IHL).
The ICRC's long-standing presence in the region has allowed it to continue working throughout ongoing armed conflicts such as Iraq, Yemen and the Palestinian territories, and to intervene rapidly when new outbreaks of violence occur. The ICRC urges authorities to bring national law into line with IHL treaties and include it in military and other education programmes. Throughout the region it works with the national societies and supports their work.
 Key document16-2-2010 Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory: life remains hard for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank The vast majority of Palestinians continued to endure restrictions on their movements. Farmers faced difficulties every day as they tried to reach their land isolated behind the West Bank Barrier and around Israeli settlements, while Palestinians separated from the rest of the West Bank by the Barrier found it particularly hard to obtain essential services, such as medical treatment. This is an update on the humanitarian situation and ICRC activities in the occupied West Bank during 2009. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Palestine) Operational update Includes Photo 25-1-2010 Yemen: a serious humanitarian crisis in the making The ICRC is stepping up efforts to respond to a worsening humanitarian situation in northern Yemen. Just back from a trip to Yemen where he met with tribal leaders and government authorities, Dominik Stillhart, the ICRC's deputy director of operations, explained at a press conference in Geneva how these efforts are severely hampered by security concerns. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Yemen) Press briefing Includes Photo 18-6-2009 Gaza: ICRC urges Hamas to allow captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit regular contact with his familyThe ICRC reiterated its demand that Gilad Shalit be allowed regular contact with his family. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Palestine) News release Annual ReportAnnual Report Includes PDF 27-5-2009 ICRC Annual Report 2008: Middle East & North Africa: Introduction(Info resources\Annual Report\2008) Annual Report Includes PDF Feature2-3-2010 Iraq: making the best of a bad situation After decades of war in Iraq, many families are destitute or living in poverty. Many male breadwinners have been detained or killed or have disappeared. ICRC delegate Caroline Douilliez met with two Iraqi women, who told her how they ensure their family's survival. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Feature Includes Photo 5-2-2010 Lebanon: a mother waits for news from Yemen Last July, a Red Cross message finally put Hajje Mariam back in touch with the daughter she last saw in 1982. Weeks later, all contact ceased, a bitter blow for this Palestinian refugee. Khadija left Lebanon 28 years ago at the height of the 1982 war with Israel. Now another war, this time in northern Yemen, has dashed Hajje Mariam’s hopes of seeing her again. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Lebanon) Feature Includes Photo 6-1-2010 Iraq: outdoors in a wheelchair In Iraq thousands of people are maimed every year by a huge number of mine and other incidents. An orthopaedic centre operated by the ICRC in Erbil has been providing assistance to thousands of disabled people since 1996.
(The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Feature Includes Photo 8-10-2009 Yemen: stories of women displaced by war Tens of thousands of Yemenis have fled the fighting of recent months. Some of them have taken refuge in schools. In Khaiwan Medina in the north of Amran governorate, five families are living in the village school. Each of them occupies one small classroom, with no toilet or window. Most people could take very little as they scrambled to escape the fighting. The ICRC has provided mattresses, stoves, tarpaulins and food. But now the families are under pressure, as the school year is starting and they are being asked to leave. Three women talk about their flight, and about life as a displaced family. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Yemen) Feature Includes Photo 25-9-2009 Yemen: civilians increasingly at risk as conflict intensifies While fighting has been intensifying over the past days in most areas in Northern Yemen and civilian lives are increasingly at risk, thousands of people are dependant on humanitarian aid. In order to survive, people often have no other choice left than to flee towards safer areas. Families on the move are lacking even the bare necessities. Pregnant women, children and elderly are among the most vulnerable. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Yemen) Feature Includes Photo 13-8-2009 Iraq: mine victim takes a small step to a big new future A new ICRC assistance programme in Iraq is helping war victims to become financially independent. Beneficiaries include people like Mohammad, who lost a limb in a mine blast in northern Iraq back in 1991. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Feature Includes Photo 16-10-2008 Twenty years after the end of the Iran-Iraq war, tens of thousands of combatants still unaccounted for On 16 October the governments of Iran and Iraq, together with the ICRC, signed a memorandum of understanding that represents an important step towards easing the heavy burden of tens of thousands of bereaved Iraqi and Iranian families. The document establishes a clear framework for collecting information and sharing it between the two countries, and for handing over mortal remains. These tasks will be performed jointly by experts from both countries with ICRC support. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa) Feature Includes Photo Field newsletter10-2-2010 ICRC activities in Iraq in 2009 – Facts and figures Iraq remains one of the ICRC's biggest operations worldwide. From its main delegation in Baghdad and other offices countrywide, the organization visits detainees, restores links between dispersed families, helps internally displaced people and residents restore livelihoods and runs health and rehabilitation projects in favour of the civilian population. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Field newsletter Includes PDF 13-8-2009 Iraq: civilians without protection The ICRC delegation in Iraq seize the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions to stress that the basic rules of the law of armed conflict remain as important as ever and that Iraqi civilians must be spared the effects of hostilities. Through the testimonies presented in this newsletter Iraqi men and women explain how recent events have affected them and their families. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Field newsletter Includes PDF Interview25-11-2009 Harvesting olives in the West Bank: not as simple as it sounds In the occupied West Bank, an estimated 10 million olive trees help some 100,000 families to make ends meet. For a number of years, the harvest has been hampered by restricted access. Tom Glue, who coordinates the ICRC's economic security programme in the territory, explains. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Palestine) Interview Includes Photo 22-10-2009 Iraq: the ICRC's response to recent events in AshrafSince late July, a series of events have taken place in Ashraf, about 80 km north of Baghdad, where several thousand Iranian nationals are living. Confrontations have resulted in people being killed, injured or detained. Juan-Pedro Schaerer, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Iraq, gives us an update on the role of the ICRC. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Interview 28-9-2009 Yemen: the ICRC faces increasing challenges in providing vital aid The welfare of civilians in northern Yemen is becoming a greater concern amid continuing conflict. According to Jean-Nicolas Marti, ICRC head of delegation in Yemen, the organization has worked for weeks under extremely harsh conditions, with severely restricted access to people in need. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Yemen) Interview Includes Photo 8-6-2009 West Bank: illegal settlements cause hardship for Palestinians Settler violence and severe restrictions on movement are affecting the daily lives of Palestinians in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, especially in the old town of Hebron. Matteo Benatti has been head of the ICRC's office in Hebron since September 2007. He explains the situation. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Palestine) Interview Includes Photo 10-12-2008 Gaza: still no ICRC access to Gilad ShalitIt has been almost 900 days since the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, was captured by Palestinian armed factions from Gaza. To date, the ICRC's attempts to visit him and to establish contact between him and his family have been unsuccessful. Pierre Wettach, the ICRC's head of delegation in Israel and the occupied territories, explains. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Israel) Interview Includes Photo Operational update4-3-2010 Yemen: despite ceasefire, needs remain acute in north of country Since the ceasefire concluded on 11 February took effect, the ICRC and the Yemen Red Crescent have been able to help people who had previously been unreachable because of the fighting. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Yemen) Operational update 2-3-2010 Occupied Golan: ICRC mitigates some effects of occupation Life is complicated for Syrian Arabs in the occupied Golan. Even something as basic as getting apples to Syrian markets requires the intervention of the ICRC in its capacity as a neutral intermediary. In addition to maintaining this vital logistical link, the ICRC helps families either side of the separation line to keep in touch by facilitating weddings and humanitarian visits, and by acting as a courier for essential legal documents. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Israel) Operational update Includes Photo 26-1-2010 Iraq: redoubling efforts to boost medical care for civiliansThe ICRC supports the Iraqi health-care system by supplying hospitals, providing training for medical personnel and other health workers, repairing medical infrastructure and in other ways as well. This is an update on these and other ICRC activities carried out in Iraq in December 2009. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update Includes PDF 12-1-2010 Yemen: harsh weather worsens plight of civilians in conflict zone As conflict rages on in northern Yemen, cold weather is further aggravating an already critical situation. The ICRC and the Yemen Red Crescent are carrying on with their humanitarian activities. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Yemen) Operational update Includes Map 22-12-2009 Gaza: one year after war, still no prospect of decent life Nearly a year after the devastating three-week military operation in the Gaza Strip that began on 27 December 2008, most of the 1.5 million people in the territory are still struggling to rebuild their lives and their economy. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Palestine) Operational update 3-11-2009 Israel and the occupied territories: helping people improve their livesThe ICRC continues to help those who are most vulnerable by supporting health facilities, repairing water systems and launching community projects. This is an update on these and other ICRC activities carried out in Israel and the occupied territories from July to September 2009. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Israel) Operational update Includes Photo 21-4-2009 Lebanon: overview of ICRC activitiesIn Lebanon, the ICRC focuses on visiting detainees, restoring family links and helping preserve or restore acceptable living conditions for civilians, the sick and the wounded. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Lebanon) Operational update Photo Collection16-2-2010 Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory: West Bank life in the shadows of the settlements Life is hard for Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in the West Bank. Restrictions on movement and violence from settlers often make it difficult to earn a living or obtain essential services. (Info resources\Photos\Middle East and North Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo 22-12-2009 Gaza: the outlook remains bleak  Twelve months after Israel's three week offensive in the Gaza Strip, these images show that its 1.5 million people are still finding it difficult to rebuild an economy that was fragile enough even before the military operation. (Info resources\Photos\Middle East and North Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo 8-10-2009 ICRC and Red Crescent aid displaced people in northern Yemen The situation in northern Yemen has deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks, with tens of thousands forced to flee the conflict zones. To meet the most urgent needs, the ICRC and the Yemen Red Crescent Society are distributing food and other essentials to thousands of displaced people and the families hosting them. (Info resources\Photos\Middle East and North Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo 17-9-2009 Iraq: families make their final visits to relatives detained in Bucca For families who used to visit their relatives detained in Bucca, southern Iraq, the journey was always long, perilous and costly, but well worth it. Since October 2005, the ICRC had helped make the journey possible, not least by covering part of the costs. In September 2009, with the American facility at Camp Bucca set to close down, the ICRC ended its family-visit allowance programme. During the four years that the programme ran, almost 30,000 detained people received 146,000 visits from their relatives with ICRC support. (Info resources\Photos\Middle East and North Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo Report29-6-2009 Gaza: 1.5 million people trapped in despairSix months after Israel launched its three-week military operation in Gaza on 27 December 2008, Gazans still cannot rebuild their lives. Most people struggle to make ends meet. Seriously ill patients face difficulty obtaining the treatment they need. Many children suffer from deep psychological problems. Civilians whose homes and belongings were destroyed during the conflict are unable to recover. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Palestine) Report Includes Photo 15-3-2008 Iraq: no let-up in the humanitarian crisisFive years after the outbreak of the war in Iraq, the humanitarian situation in most of the country remains among the most critical in the world. Because of the conflict, millions of Iraqis have insufficient access to clean water, sanitation and health care. The current crisis is exacerbated by the lasting effects of previous armed conflicts and years of economic sanctions. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Report Includes PDF, Photo Video Collection17-2-2010 West Bank: life on the margins for the E'beed Stuck between an Israeli settlement overlooking their houses and a military checkpoint, the E'beeds face stringent restrictions on their movements. Access to the nearest Palestinian village for work health care and schooling is a recurrent problem. They survive without basic services, in crumbling houses. The family is expanding but they are not allowed to build new houses or even make repairs. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video 29-9-2009 Yemen: relief assistance to people displaced by the conflict Fighting has been intensifying in northern Yemen. Often people have no choice but to flee to safer areas. The ICRC and the Yemeni Red Crescent have organized distributions of essentials household items for about 30,000 people so far. On 18 September 2009 aid was handed out in Khaiwan town. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video 16-9-2009 Missing persons: focus on Iraq During the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), the ICRC registered almost 40,000 Iranian and more than 67,000 Iraqi prisoners of war. Many of them were voluntarily repatriated, but tens of thousands of soldiers remain unaccounted for today. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video More in this section17-1-2008 Lebanon: 40 years of ICRC presence The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been present in Lebanon since 1967 providing assistance and protection to civilians affected by armed conflict, in close cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross Society and the Palestine Red Crescent Society. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Lebanon) Includes PDF, Photo  |
