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Section
ICRC publications - Assistance
Economic security; water and habitat; health services

General publications
    Nutrition manual for humanitarian action
    Alain Mourey
    This manual is an important tool for all humanitarian workers involved in the field of nutrition. In addition to presenting an in-depth explanation of human nutrition, nutrition crisis and nutritional programmes within humanitarian intervention, the manual highlights the importance of maintaining a better understanding of the broader impact of war on all aspects of daily life. It argues that food is not just a means for survival but that it is a basic right for those caught up in the conflict, as defined in international humanitarian law.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2008, 700 p., graph., tabl., 21 x 30 cm, French, English / Price CHF 43.- / ref. 0820

    Economic security
    The ICRC's work to promote economic security is intended to ensure that households and communities can cover their unavoidable expenditures and maintain or restore sustainable livelihoods.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2008, 8 pp., graph., tabl., 15 x 21 cm, English, French / Free of charge / ref. 0954

    Management of dead bodies after disasters: a field manual for first responders
    Dignified and proper management of the dead in disasters is fundamental to help the families know the fate of their relatives and mourn their dead. This manual is intended for use by those first on the scene following a disaster when no specialists are at hand. It provides basic guidance to manage the recovery, basic identification, storage and disposal of dead bodies following disasters, to ensure that no information is lost and that the dead are treated with respect.
    PAHO /WHO/ IFRC / ICRC, Geneva, 2006, 47 pp., photos, A4, English, Spanish / ref. 0880

    Water, sanitation, hygiene and habitat in prisons
    The handbook provides a summary of the technical expertise gained by ICRC engineers when dealing with environmental engineering problems commonly found in places of detention. Detailed drawings are used to outline solutions on a range of related issues such as water supply, sewage and waste disposal, food preparation, vector control, general hygiene and health. This handbook is intended for all those who work in prisons and who can contribute to the improvement of the conditions of detention for persons deprived of their freedom.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2005, 145 pp., graph., tabl., 21 x 30 cm, French, English / Price CHF 48.- / ref. 0823

    Hospitals for war-wounded: a practical guide for setting up and running a surgical hospital in an area of armed conflict
    When war breaks out, any existing health-care system will rapidly be disrupted and then overwhelmed: just when the infrastructure on which the facility is dependent collapses, an unprecedented influx of casualties occurs. This book is based on the ICRC's experience in running independent hospitals and is intended for anyone faced with the task of setting up or running a hospital for war casualties. It includes guidelines on how to manage an influx of wounded and sets out a system for managing patients from admission to discharge.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2005 (revised and updated edition), XX + 168 pp., photos, tabl., illus., 16 x 23 cm, English, French: 2003 / Price CHF 35.- / ref. 0714

    Care in the Field for Victims of Weapons of War. A report from the workshop organized by the ICRC on "Pre-hospital care for war and mine wounded"
    Robin Coupland, Asa Molde, John Navein
    This report is designed for health professionals who work in the area of care for people wounded by weapons, who plan such care and who train others to give it. The objectives of the report are to define clearly and justify the elements of first aid and treatment which are appropriate in any situation where there are wounded people; to ensure that health professionals know what constitutes, in the context of care in the field, the right treatment at the right time and in the right place; and to recommend priorities for moving wounded people to a surgical hospital.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2001, 92 pp., illus., 16 x 23 cm, English / Price CHF 20.- / ref. 0785

    Humanitarian action and armed conflict: Coping with stress
    Barthold Bierens de Haan
    This brochure is intended for ICRC staff and humanitarian professionals working in conflict zones or other emergency situations. It describes and proposes ways of dealing with the various emotional reactions that may arise as a result of a traumatic event or from the difficulties encountered daily in the field. It contains a self-evaluation test.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2001, 3rd ed., 28 pp., photos, tabl., 30 x 11 cm, English, French, Spanish / Price CHF 4.- / ref. 0576

    H.E.L.P. Public health course in the management of humanitarian aid
    Pierre Perrin
    Public health tools used in the analysis and implementation of emergency health programmes. A systematic and comprehensive description of how the HELP course is structured and the teaching methods used, which permits course participants to fit their contributions into the general programme.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2001, XIII + 783 pp., illus., biblio., 16 x 24 cm, English, French / Price CHF 95.- / ref. 0716

    Forum: war and water
    The Forum series opens with the theme war and water, chosen for its extreme importance as the source of life, but also of conflict, and as a major concern in humanitarian action.
    ICRC, Geneva, 1998, 112 pp., photos, illus., maps, 21 x 26 cm, English only / Price CHF 20.- / ref. 0701 / also available on-line

Primary health care
    Primary health services: Primary Level
    In health emergencies as in periods of stability, restoring access to primary health-care services is a priority in so fa as many problems can be dealt with by means of preventive care and conventional therapy: Depending on the context, the ICRC must often take in action in this area, taking into account the level of emergency, the involvement of other actors, the possible evolution of the situation and the organization's operational strategies.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2006, 26pp., graph., tabl., illus., A4 / bilingual English/French / Price CHF 15.- / ref. 0887

    Mobile health units: Methodological approach
    The ICRC has been deploying mobile health units (MHUs) in certain operational contexts. MHUs form part of a strategy involving the provision of occasional ambulatory health services. This strategy is often used in order to reach isolated population groups.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2006, 25pp., graph., tabl., illus., A4 / bilingual English/French / Price CHF 15.- / ref. 0886

    First Aid in armed conflicts and other situations of violence
    A practical manual presenting the specific knowledge, skills and practices that First Aiders should have to act safely and effectively when caring for people caught up in armed conflicts and other situations of violence, such as internal disturbances and tensions.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2006, 260 pp., A5, including CD-ROM and 10 practical sheets, English, French, Spanish. To follow in Arabic / CHF 18.-/ ref. 0870

    Antenatal guidelines for primary health care in crisis conditions
    Within the area of mother and childcare, antenatal care plays a key role in reducing death, disease and suffering among women, whose vulnerability is always exacerbated by armed conflict and poor security conditions. These Antenatal guidelines for primary health care in crisis conditions provide field staff with basic practical information they need to run an antenatal clinic in situations that may vary greatly from one country to another. The handbook deal only with first level of health care, that is to say the community health centre, and not with the second and third levels (reference and district hospitals)
    ICRC, Geneva, 2005, 200 pp., graph., tabl., illus., 15 x 21 cm, English / Price CHF 47.- / ref. 0875

    War and public health : handbook on war and public health
    A manual intended for medical and other personnel responsible for humanitarian activities in armed conflicts. It covers the following topics: setting up a health-care system that meets the essential needs of war victims, particularly of displaced persons; public health tools most frequently used for evaluation, establishment of priorities, analysis of possible activities and their follow-up; protecting war victims and aspects of humanitarian law related to health; and lastly, ethical problems.
    ICRC, Geneva,1996, 446 pp., graphs, tabl., illus., 16 x 23 cm, English, French / Price CHF 35.- / ref. 0641

War surgery
    Surgery for victims of war
    Daniel Dufour, Soeren Kroman Jensen, Michael Owen-Smith, Jorma Salmela, G. Frank Stening, Björn Zetterström
    This handbook summarizes the experience of leading practitioners in the field of war surgery and is intended to help military and civilian surgical teams treat people wounded in armed conflicts. It covers first aid, admission of urgent cases and triage, skin grafts, treatment of infections, wounds and burns, plastic surgery and anaesthesiology.
    ICRC, Geneva, 1998, 3rd ed. revised, XV + 203 pp., illus., photos., 16 x 23 cm, English, French / Price CHF 30.- / ref. 0446

    War wounds with fractures : a guide to surgical management
    David I. Rowley
    This book addresses the management of war wounds by non-specialist surgeons in situations where resources and expertise are limited. It is intended to be a pratical guide whether or not the surgeon has a special training in orthopaedic trauma.
    ICRC, Geneva, 1996, 64 pp., photos, 16 x 23 cm, English, French, Spanish / Price CHF 5.- / ref. 0623

    War wounds : basic surgical management : the principles and practice of the surgical management of wounds produced by missiles or explosions
    Robin Gray
    The main concern of a doctor faced with a person injured by a mine, a bullet or a metallic fragment is how to treat the wound. This book is intended to help doctors, whether military or civilian, who have to deal with war wounds.
    ICRC, Geneva, 1994, 44 pp., photos, 16 x 23 cm, English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese / Price CHF 5.- / ref. 0570

    War wounds of limbs : surgical management
    Robin M. Coupland
    Seventy percent of all war wounded patients present with wounds of limbs. This book addresses the realities of managing limb wounds whether in the admission room or the operating table or in the ward. Written in a clear and didactic style with numerous clinical illustrations, War wounds of limbs : surgical management guides the surgeon through the understanding of war wounds, his role in the management, the complications and difficulties encountered and the rehabilitation of the patient.
    Butterworth-Heinemann, 1993, 101 pp., photos, 19,5 x 25 cm, English / Price CHF 65.- / ref. 2121

    Amputation for war wounds
    Robin M. Coupland
    The ICRC has acquired a great deal of experience in treating war wounds, particularly those caused by anti-personnel mines. This review of amputation techniques is intended to pass on its experience to all people providing medical care for war victims.
    ICRC, Geneva, 1992, 30 pp., illus., photos, map, ref., 16 x 23 cm, English, French, Spanish / Price CHF 5.- / ref. 0516

    The Red Cross wound classification
    Robin M. Coupland
    The Red Cross wound classification system describes and lists various features of wounds, giving a numerical value to each feature, to help civilian surgeons prepare for war surgery.
    ICRC, Geneva, 1991, 2nd ed., 15 pp., tabl., photos, map, 16 x 23 cm, English, French, Spanish / Price CHF 5.- / ref. 0498

War disabled
    Polypropylene technology
    The ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Unit was established in 1979, marking the start of a long-term commitment to promote the use of a technology appropriate to the specific context in which the ICRC operates. In low-income or developing countries affected by war, the role of this inexpensive and high quality technology is crucial, making rehabilitation services more affordable and accessible and making the long-term survival of rehabilitation centres more likely.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2007, 12pp., photos, 16 x 23 cm, English, French / Price CHF 2.-/ ref. 0913

    Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing Guidelines
    These Manufacturing Guidelines are designed to provide the information necessary for the production of high-quality assistive devices. These informative manuals are designed to promote and enhance standardization of ICRC polypropylene technology, to provide support for training in the use of this technology and to promote good practice in this field.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2007, multimedia CD-Rom, English, French / Price CHF 250.- / ref. 0868

    Caring for landmine victims
    Every year, tens of thousands of people are killed or injured by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Those that survive are often disabled for life and need long-term care, not only rehabilitation but also social and economic support. This leaflet examines the challenges involved in providing assistance to the victims.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2005, 24pp., photos, 15 x 21 cm, English, French, Spanish / Price CHF 2.- / ref. 0863

    Support for life: physical rehabilitation programme
    A brochure and DVD-Rom combination, this product has been created to mark the 25th anniversary of the ICRC's physical rehabilitation programme. In addition to outlining the history and achievements of the programme, it is intended to raise awareness of the long lasting needs of persons with physical disabilities. The DVD-Rom is an excellent resource containing several overviews, various related publications, photo galleries and videos.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2004, 18 pp., photos, 15 x 21 cm plus DVD-Rom, English, French, Spanish / Free of charge / ref. 0847

ICRC film
    Wound ballistics: an introduction for health, legal, forensic, military and law enforcement professionals
    This DVD explores the impact on human tissue of bullets from rifles and handguns, as well as fragments from explosive weapons – an area of study known as wound ballistics. Designed for instructional purposes, the film has been made for a range of specialist audiences.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2008 / running time : 37 minutes / DVD-Rom multi-lingual: English, French, German / including a brochure available in English only/ price CHF 30.- / ref. V-F-CR-F-00943

ICRC Publication
    Mine Action: preventive activities in the field
    Mines and explosive remnants of war continue to kill and maim civilians long after the last shot has been fired in a conflict. This concise leaflet outlines the work that the ICRC carries out to protect civilians from these after effects of armed conflict.
    ICRC, Geneva, 2006, 8 pp., 10 x 21cm, English, French. Spanish to follow later / Free of charge / ref. 0888



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© 2008  International Committee of the Red Cross
12-10-2008