 |
 |
|
|
News Nigeria: Red Cross assists victims of sectarian violence in Jos 4-12-2008 News release 19-11-2008 News release Section War and Displacement: internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees Section on how armed conflict results in large-scale displacement of civilians, both within the frontiers of a country and, as refugees, across international borders; reference material on the problem and illustrations from the field.
©ICRC / J. Tanner / ph-e-00034
08.2008 Philippines. Displaced people sheltering near the town of Pikit in North Cotabato.
They are obliged to travel long distances, often on foot, to seek safe refuge away from the fighting. Families are dispersed, children lose contact with their parents in the chaos of flight, elderly relatives too weak to undertake such an arduous journey are left behind to fend for themselves. See also the section : Refugees, internally displaced persons and international humanitarian lawLinks to other sites : Displacement  Key document2-9-2008 The ICRC's activities in favour of the displaced: 2007 operational overviewAfghanistan, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Iraq, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan were among the many countries in which countless women, men and children had their lives torn apart by armed conflicts in 2007. Direct attacks on civilian communities, general insecurity and the destruction of livelihoods forced innumerable civilians to flee their homes. Assisting and protecting internally displaced people (IDPs), who are protected under international humanitarian law (IHL), remained one of the ICRC’s priorities throughout 2007. (Focus\War and displacement) Operational update 16-3-2007 IDPs in armed conflict : key pointsRespecting the rights of civilian populations in armed conflict and other situations of violence is the best prevention against displacement. No affected person should be left unattended and all should benefit from protection and assistance in accordance with their needs. (Focus\War and displacement) 8-3-2007 Internally displaced peopleThe displacement of people within their own countries owing to war or natural disasters is a matter of growing concern worldwide. This concern is amply justified: time and again, internally displaced people (IDPs) suffer extreme hardship that jeopardizes their very survival. (Focus\War and displacement) ICRC Publication 3-7-2006 ICRC position on internally displaced persons (IDPs)The purpose of this document is to explain the ICRC's position on the issue of IDPs. It
discusses the operational challenges of responding to the plight of IDPs, the best ways of
protecting and assisting IDPs, and the ICRC's contribution to the policy debate on this issue. (Focus\War and displacement) Includes PDF Feature5-1-2009 Georgia: victims of conflict hope for a brighter year aheadAs Orthodox Christmas approaches in Central and Eastern Europe, many displaced and isolated families affected by the armed conflict between Russia and Georgia five months ago remain in need of help. For elderly people, like 60-year-old Nunu Doliashvili, the holiday season would have been very bleak indeed, were it not for some much-needed assistance from ICRC. (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Georgia) Feature Includes Photo 5-12-2008 India: Red Cross assists victims of violence in AssamIn India’s north-eastern states tensions and violence continue to simmer, fuelled by friction between ethnic or tribal groups and related political movements seeking autonomy or
independence. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\India) Feature 27-11-2008 Democratic Republic of the Congo: a new role for Mboka school Since the end of August, tens of thousands of people have fled their homes to escape the violence which is devastating the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Several hundred of them ended up in Mboka, near Goma, after an exhausting journey on foot. The headteacher and staff of a local school came to their rescue. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa) Feature Includes Photo 14-11-2008 My baby’s name means “suffering”Thousands of people have fled the violence which has ravaged North Kivu since September. Here, some of the displaced currently staying in Kibati 2 camp, near Goma, describe their tragic experiences, how they have fled from one camp to another, and the desperate poverty in all the camps. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa) Feature Includes Photo 21-10-2008 Philippines: caring for the sick and woundedSince the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front resumed fighting in August, medical personnel in Central Mindanao have been working around the clock. The ICRC’s Iolanda Jaquemet talks about their daunting task. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Philippines) Feature Includes Photo 24-9-2008 Sri Lanka: ICRC helps displaced people return to traditional livelihoodsThe ICRC is set to distribute seed and fertilizer to small farmers displaced by the armed conflict in order to enable them to generate an income the way they used to – by cultivating their land. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Feature 17-9-2008 Pakistan: displaced people face social upheavalFighting between government forces and the armed opposition continues in the region bordering Afghanistan. Civilians are paying a heavy price. The ICRC’s Sitara Jabeen reports on the cultural and social challenges facing displaced people on the Pakistani/Afghan border. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Feature Includes Photo 17-8-2008 Georgia: uncertainty about the future haunts the displacedSince the start of the conflict in South Ossetia on 8th August, tens of thousands of people have fled from towns and villages all across Georgia. Many of them have made for the capital, Tbilisi, where they have found shelter in makeshift collective centres in schools, kindergartens and abandoned buildings. Now they wait for help from others, a situation they could never have imagined only a fortnight ago. (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Georgia) Feature Includes Photo 8-8-2008 Central African Republic: the road home is paved with fear and povertySeveral thousand people fled the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2002 and 2003 for the refugee camps of Yoroungou, Chad. Now, they have begun the journey home to their villages in the north-west of the CAR. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Central African Republic) Feature Includes Photo 13-2-2008 Chad: with the displaced from N'DjamenaThousands of people have fled the fighting in the capital. Teams from the ICRC and the Red Cross of Chad went to find them. Report by Inah Kaloga of the ICRC. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Chad) Feature 23-1-2008 Kenya: Red Cross counsellors provide needed help for displacedAbout 1,500 people remain at the police station camp for the displaced in Kakamega. Many of them own small businesses in the town and are reluctant to abandon their property. Red Cross counsellors are providing much-needed support to those who are at a loss as to where to go from here. Bernard Barrett reports. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Feature Includes Photo 15-1-2008 Kenya: ensuring proper water supply for the displacedThousands of people who fled their homes following the violence in Kenya are now at risk of not having sufficient access to clean water. The ICRC and Kenya Red Cross (KRCS) are teaming up to rectify the situation in central Rift Valley. Bernard Barrett reports. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Feature Includes Photo 28-9-2007 Uganda: water and sanitation project restores hope in IDP campsWith a population of 46,000, Pabbo is the largest internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in the Gulu district, filled with rural folk who fled the countryside in the early 1990s due to armed conflict. Ugandan journalist Denis Ocwich reports on an ICRC water and sanitation project that has given rise to new hope by improving health in the camps. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Uganda) Feature Includes Photo 27-8-2007 Colombia: the ICRC assistance programme for the displacedTo be displaced is not just to have to flee. To be displaced is to lose everything. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Colombians are forced to abandon their homes to save their lives. Ten years ago, the ICRC launched an emergency humanitarian assistance programme for Colombia's displaced. Since then, it has helped more than a million displacement victims. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature 19-7-2007 Lebanon: refugees againIn Lebanon, it's not enough that Abu Hisham was made a refugee in the 1940s when he had to leave his native Nazareth. In 2007, he's been forced to flee again with the outbreak of fighting in a refugee camp in northern Lebanon. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Lebanon) Feature ICRC film18-1-2008 Central African Republic: stranded in the bushFilm showing the impact of violence in northern parts of the Central African Republic, that has left villages torched, people attacked and killed, children kidnapped. Tens of thousands have fled, scattering deeper into the equatorial forest and setting up makeshift camps, where they rely on aid to survive. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video 27-2-2007 Colombia: searching for safetyColombia has been ravaged by over four decades of armed conflict. An estimated three million people have fled violence in the countryside. In this film, we meet Carmen, Maria and Anna who have moved to Bogota in search of safety. They survive, despite their minimal income and the constant fear of further violence, receiving some help from the ICRC's emergency assistance programme. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video 26-2-2007 Liberia: homecoming in GorluAfter 14 years of war, the villagers of Gorlu in Lofa County are finally starting to come home. But life is hard, especially for the women. Lofo, grandmother of seven, was forced out of the village 10 years ago and she's lost everything. But with tolerance and humour, she is determined to put down her roots again. With some assistance from the ICRC, her new house gradually takes shape. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video 26-2-2007 Women fleeing warArmed conflict displaces people from their homes and livelihoods. Women often have to cope with the loss of close relatives and find new way to support themselves and their families. The ICRC works to understand the specific needs of women displaced by war, in order to better help them. This film tells the story of five women displaced by conflict in Colombia, Liberia and Sudan. Although the contexts are different, the challenges these women face bear striking similarities. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Protection) ICRC film Includes Video ICRC Publication23-2-2007 Internally displaced peopleThe displacement of people within their own countries owing to war or natural disasters is a matter of growing concern worldwide. This concern is amply justified: time and again, internally displaced people (IDPs) suffer extreme hardship that jeopardizes their very survival. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF Interview27-11-2008 Sri Lanka: civilians long for elusive peaceFighting continues in northern Sri Lanka, isolating the region from the rest of the island and displacing civilians repeatedly. Hicham Mandoudi of the ICRC discusses the organization’s assistance to civilians fleeing the areas affected by the conflict. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Interview Includes Photo 28-8-2008 Philippines: rescuing civilians threatened by conflict
Intensifying conflict between the army and an armed group on Mindanao Island is worsening the lot of thousands of displaced civilians. The ICRC's head of delegation in Manila, Felipe Donoso, discusses their plight and the organization's efforts to come to their aid. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Philippines) Interview Includes Photo 15-8-2008 Georgia/Russian Federation: civilians in need in conflict affected areasThe humanitarian situation of thousands of civilians affected by the conflict in Georgia remains extremely serious. As far as the security situation allows, the ICRC is responding to the crisis by providing medical supplies and emergency assistance items, as well as providing water and improving living conditions in shelters for the displaced. The head of the ICRC's Eastern Europe department, Pascale Meige Wagner, explains. (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Georgia) Interview Includes Photo 14-8-2008 Georgia/Russian Federation: assistance through rapid deployment makes the differenceAs Georgia continues to reel from the violence of the past week, the ICRC's emergency response is in full swing. So far, almost 100 tonnes of relief supplies have been flown to the affected region. The organization has also sent over 40 additional staff to Georgia and the Russian Federation to support efforts in helping people who were forced to flee their homes. The ICRC's rapid deployment adviser, Samuel Bon, describes the role of the Rapid Deployment Unit, and how it is helping to bring assistance to thousands of people in Georgia and North Ossetia. (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Georgia) Interview Includes Photo 13-8-2008 Economic support for thousands of families in Congo-Kinshasa - A major challenge at a time of global food crisisTo cope with the tragic situation in North and South Kivu, the ICRC has nearly doubled its assistance to people affected by the internal armed conflict. Ian Byram, who heads the ICRC’s economic security unit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, explains the action being taken by the ICRC to meet people’s needs. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa) Interview Includes Photo 12-8-2008 Georgia/Russian Federation: ICRC delivers assistance to civilians in conflict affected areasThe ICRC is flying 15 tonnes of medicine and medical supplies to Georgia on Tuesday to help treat those injured in the armed conflict involving Georgian, South Ossetian and Russian troops. Large numbers of civilians have been hurt in the conflict and thousands have been forced to flee their homes. Sangeeta Koenig, the ICRC's deputy head of operations for Eastern Europe, talks about the organization's response to the crisis. (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Georgia) Interview Includes Photo 30-6-2008 Somalia: humanitarian crisis deepens amid growing insecuritySomalia is facing its worst crisis in a decade, with drought, fighting and spiralling food prices having a devastating effect on the population. Pascal Hundt, the ICRC's outgoing head of delegation in Somalia, describes the complexities of the enduring conflict, and the ICRC's role in helping the Somali people cope with a multitude of hardships. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Somalia) Interview Includes Photo 23-4-2008 Somalia: 'delivering the goods' despite increasingly volatile climateThe situation in Somalia is growing steadily worse, with increasing violence having caused a mass exodus from Mogadishu. Daniel Gagnon, the ICRC's economic security delegate in Somalia, describes the plight of the beleaguered Somali people, and what the ICRC is doing to help. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Somalia) Interview Includes Photo 8-4-2008 Chad: adapting assistance to specific needs of the displaced in the eastFollowing the failed offensive on the Chadian capital, N'Djamena in early February, increasingly frequent confrontations between armed opposition groups and the army continue in Chad, along with regular, localized inter-community violence in the East. Upon return from a visit to Chad, the ICRC's deputy director of operations, Dominik Stillhart, describes the current humanitarian situation and in particular ICRC's specific approach to assistance in Eastern Chad. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Chad) Interview Includes Photo 18-2-2008 Humanitarian situation worsens as Afghan hostilities spreadThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. As armed hostilities spread and insecurity grows, more and more people are being forced to flee their homes. It is also becoming increasingly difficult for the ICRC to access displaced people throughout the country. In addition, freezing temperatures and blizzards have affected several areas, killing hundreds. Interview with Franz Rauchenstein, ICRC deputy head of delegation in Afghanistan. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Interview Includes Photo 11-1-2008 Displaced in Kenya: reaching those in needOver 250,000 people are on the move in Kenya as a result of post-election violence. Pascal Cuttat, the ICRC's head of delegation in Nairobi, says that the main focus and challenge at the moment is to meet the needs of the displaced in the Rift Valley and Western Kenya, a challenge that is being amply met in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Interview Includes Photo 13-12-2007 Colombia: improving displaced people's access to education, work and housingInterview with Christina Oberli, economic security project coordinator for the ICRC's delegation in Colombia. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Photo 26-2-2007 Women displaced by warOn the occasion of International Women's Day (8 March), Florence Tercier, ICRC's women and war adviser, explains why the plight of displaced women is a particularly difficult one. (Focus\Women and war) Interview Includes Photo Official Statement5-11-2008 Statement of the ICRC concerning Internally Displaced Persons - Report of the UNHCRUnited Nations, General Assembly, 63rd session, Third Committee, Item 39 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 5 November 2008 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\63rd General Assembly) Official Statement 17-10-2008 Humanitarian Actors – Commitment to the protection of IDPsAddress by Angelo Gnaedinger, Director-General, International Committee of the Red Cross, Ten years of Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Achievements and Future Challenges, Oslo, Conference 16-17 October 2008 (Focus\War and displacement) Official Statement 6-10-2008 59th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's ProgrammeStatement by Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC, Geneva, 6 October 2008 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy) Official Statement 9-11-2007 Statement of the ICRC concerning Internally Displaced Persons - Report of the UNHCRUnited Nations, General Assembly, 62nd session, Third Committee, Item 42 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 8-9 Novembre 2007 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\62nd General Assembly) Official Statement 5-10-2007 58th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's ProgrammeUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, address by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva, 1-5 October 2007 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations) Official Statement 5-9-2007 Colombia: It's not just about leaving home. It's about losing everything.“Colombia has one of the largest numbers of internally displaced persons in the world. Death threats, fighting, killings of family members and the forced recruitment of minors have led to constant displacement in various parts of the country.” In this article, ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger explains what the organization is doing for displaced persons in Colombia. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Official Statement 17-4-2007 Iraq: civilians bear the brunt of violence Address by Angelo Gnaedinger, ICRC Director-General at the International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Iraq and in Neighbouring Countries, Geneva, 17-18 April, 2007 (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Official Statement Photo Collection2-10-2008 Philippines: helping people cope with displacement and torrential rain On 10 August 2008, the Philippine armed forces and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front resumed hostilities on the island of Mindanao. The ICRC immediately launched an emergency operation to help those forced to leave their homes by the fighting. So far, over 120,000 have received food, water and basic household items. (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific) Photo Collection Includes Photo 19-8-2008 Georgia/Russian Federation conflict: a selection of photos - 1 The following selection of photographs can be downloaded at high resolution. (Info resources\Photos\Eastern Europe and Central Asia) Photo Collection Includes Photo 20-5-2008 The many faces of displacement in Africa They are forced to travel huge distances, often on foot, to seek safe refuge from the fighting – these are the displaced populations of Africa. The following collection provides a glimpse of the many places in Africa where people are forced to leave their homes. (Info resources\Photos\Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo 26-2-2007 Women and displacement: bearing the burden Women bear the brunt of the burden of displacement, having to strike a delicate balance between the risks they run in often hostile environments and the imperative to provide for the immediate needs of the family. This gallery provides a glimpse of contexts from around the world in which the ICRC is active and in which courageous women come together in their struggle to survive in sometimes impossibly difficult environments. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo 30-1-2007 Protecting and assisting internally displaced people A series of images that illustrates the ICRC's work in support of internally displaced persons (IDPs), portraying the great diversity of contexts in which people are forced to leave their homes. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo Press article12-9-2008 Healing wounds in KenyaThe post-election crisis in Kenya has left hundreds of people dead and displaced more than a quarter of a million. The efforts of the Kenya Red Cross Society, supported by the ICRC, proved very effective for those affected by the violence. Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 2, 2008 (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Press article Includes Photo 2-1-2008 Unrest in the Central African Republic Larger than France, with a population of just 4 million, the Central African Republic (CAR) is the world’s sixth poorest country. Increased insecurity and a series of uprisings in the north have plunged the country into a deep crisis. Article publié dans le Magazine Croix-Rouge Croissant-Rouge, No 3, 2007 (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Central African Republic) Press article Includes Photo 2-1-2008 Haunted guests: Iraqis seek refuge with their neighbours In the largest population movement in the Middle East since 1948, a huge influx of Iraqis is putting pressure on services in Jordan and Syria. How are their Red Crescent Societies responding to the needs? Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2007 (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Press article Includes Photo Video Collection10-10-2008 Mardan Camp for displaced persons, Pakistan In north-west Pakistan, thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes to escape fighting in Bajaur Agency. Many end up in overcrowded camps without basic facilities including clean water and health care. At Mardan camp, ICRC delegate Carl Matti explains the difficulties facing families when they arrive. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video 21-8-2008 Georgia: ICRC gets help to people caught up in conflictIn the first days of the emergency, hundreds of tonnes of food, blankets and sanitary supplies were flown into the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. During his 3 day visit to Georgia and the Russian Federation, ICRC President Jacob Kellenberger saw the difficult conditions for himself, and met some of the thousands of people displaced by fighting and in urgent need of assistance. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video More in this section4-7-2008 Internal Displacement of Populations in Armed ConflictsRecommendations made at the 10th joint seminar of the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The seminar was aimed at contributing to the current debate on the problematic of the internal displacement in Africa with a clear focus on armed conflict and other situations of violence. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa)  |
