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News TV news footage: Universal Children's Day , November 20, 2009 16-11-2009 TV news footage 12-11-2009 TV news footage Section ICRC operations in Asia and the Pacific Activities throughout the world: a country-by-country round-up of the ICRC’s work in Asia and the Pacific. The ICRC maintains extensive operations in Asia and the Pacific allowing it to respond to the needs of people affected by armed conflict and violence. Its biggest operation in the region remains Afghanistan, where the conflict has intensified and spread over the last year.
©ICRC/Norman Ng/lk-e-00173
Sri Lanka. Kantale Camp for displaced persons, August 2006.
Disasters in Asia Pacific: the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement responds
Despite security restraints, the ICRC continues to conduct major assistance operations in collaboration with the Afghan Red Crescent. In Pakistan, medical assistance is high on the agenda after violence in Waziristan resumed in the middle of 2007 and spilled over into other areas that had previously been calm. In Sri Lanka, as well as providing shelter and other essential aid to conflict-affected people, the ICRC continues to run a major water and sanitation programme for those displaced by fighting, returnees and residents. In many of the region's countries that the ICRC covers, delegates will continue to visit detainees and will seek to visit others not yet visited. In all contexts where IHL applies, the ICRC will keep on reminding the parties to hostilities of their obligation to protect those not or no longer taking part in the fighting. The country and region names used herein are intended to facilitate reference and have no political significance.
 Key document29-5-2009 Sri Lanka: displaced people anxious for news from familiesDisplaced people in Sri Lanka not only need food, water and medical care. Thousands need to know whether relatives are alive and well. The ICRC is extending its work in IDP camps, but the needs are overwhelming, explains Jacques de Maio, ICRC head of operations for South Asia. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Interview Includes Photo Annual ReportAnnual Report Includes PDF 27-5-2009 ICRC Annual Report 2008: Asia & the Pacific: Introduction(Info resources\Annual Report\2008) Annual Report Includes PDF EventEvent Includes Photo Event Includes Photo Feature30-10-2009 Brochure produced by the ICRC's Tokyo office(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Japan) Feature 28-9-2009 Afghanistan: in a quiet corner, the laundry ladies of Mirwais hospital go about their work It would be easy to overlook the contribution of the women in the laundry room and tailoring workshop to the running of southern Afghanistan’s largest hospital in Kandahar. Yet without them, it would grind to a halt. The ICRC's Jessica Barry talks about their trials, strength and courage. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Feature Includes Photo 14-9-2009 Pakistan: Kuwait Red Crescent Society supports Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement actionBuner IDP camp in north-west Pakistan is a temporary home to 25,000 people displaced by fighting. The ICRC and the Pakistan Red Crescent were recently able to distribute a very welcome donation of food from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Feature Includes Photo 24-8-2009 Storytellers bring a touch of magic to health promotion in Afghanistan Ensuring that families know about simple basic health care is an important part of the ICRC's water and habitat programme in Afghanistan. Jessica Barry joined a team of hygiene promoters on their daily round. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Feature Includes Photo 18-8-2009 Mirwais hospital: ICRC staff manage to work in dire circumstances Journalist Nima Elbagir and cameraman Jake Simkin visited the ICRC-supported Mirwais hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Here, they share their impressions of the humanitarian situation and of the ICRC and its work in the hospital. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Feature Includes Photo 22-7-2009 Afghanistan: a village in Bamiyan province vows to get clean water Life is tough for people living in rural Afghanistan, including those in the beautiful but remote province of Bamiyan. The ICRC's Habibullah Hussaini met villagers who are determined to make a difference in their lives by improving their access to clean drinking water. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Feature Includes Photo 18-5-2009 Pakistan: Alina learns to walk againWar in north-west Pakistan is causing more and more casualties. On a recent filming trip to the region, the ICRC's Jan Powell met 10-year-old Alina, who was badly injured in a bomb explosion and is now being treated in the ICRC's field hospital in Peshawar. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Feature Includes Photo 29-4-2009 Sri Lanka: civilians caught up in battleRaging battle in north-eastern Sri Lanka continues to imperil the lives of thousands of civilians. In the following accounts, three people caught up in the conflict share with the ICRC’s Sarasi Wijeratne their harrowing experiences and hopes for a better tomorrow. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Feature Includes Photo 8-4-2009 Afghanistan: assistance to the war-woundedIn 1979, following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the ICRC started providing medical and surgical assistance in Pakistan to Afghans wounded in the fighting. Based in Kabul since 1987, the ICRC has consistently sought to provide neutral, independent support to health structures and staff across Afghanistan, and to care for conflict victims. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Feature Includes Photo Field newsletter13-10-2009 ICRC in the Philippines - Delegation newsletterIn Central Mindanao, where active hostilities ceased in July 2009, over 200,000 civilians remain displaced. ICRC assistance teams have worked continuously, along with the Philippine National Red Cross, to distribute food rations and essential household items to over 150,000 displaced people. An overview of the main ICRC activities in the Philippines from January to August 2009. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Philippines) Field newsletter Includes PDF Interview6-11-2009 Afghanistan: ICRC maintains neutral, independent, humanitarian assistanceDespite a recent attack on a guest house in Kabul housing United Nations personnel, the ICRC is continuing its efforts to help Afghans affected by the armed conflict. The organization’s neutrality and independence, intensive dialogue with all sides and the trust of ordinary Afghans are enabling the ICRC to provide aid where it is most needed. Reto Stocker is the ICRC’s head of delegation in Afghanistan. He explains how the ICRC continues to work in this challenging context. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Interview 29-10-2009 Pakistan: ICRC supports medical facilities in WaziristanThe ICRC has no direct access to Waziristan or to the adjacent areas to which most of the population has fled. However, the organization is helping thousands of victims of the fighting through its indirect assistance to eight medical facilities inside Waziristan. An interview with the health delegate who has been running this support programme, Rosanna Magoga. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Interview Includes Photo 23-10-2009 Pakistan: protection of civilians a priority as violence growsThe human cost of violence in Pakistan is continuing to rise. Military operations in South Waziristan and a spate of suicide attacks have resulted in more prisoners, displaced people and casualties, particularly civilians. Humanitarian agencies are unable to operate in Waziristan, where up to 60,000 people are said to have fled their homes. The most pressing needs are protection from violence, compliance with the basic principles of humanitarian law, protection for detainees, access for humanitarian agencies and aid for those in need. An interview with Jacques de Maio, ICRC head of operations for south Asia. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Interview Includes Photo 6-10-2009 Pakistan: protecting detainees a priorityThe humanitarian situation in northern Pakistan remains precarious. In addition to being able to help civilians affected by the fighting, the ICRC absolutely must have access to people detained in connection with army and police operations. ICRC head of delegation Pascal Cuttat explains. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Interview Includes Photo 25-9-2009 Afghanistan: the human cost of warPatrick Hamilton, who has just finished a stint as deputy head of the ICRC’s delegation in Afghanistan, leaves the country as the conflict is spreading and intensifying. He talks about how the ICRC has been able to expand its operations over the past few years thanks to its principles of neutrality and independence. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Interview Includes Photo 25-9-2009 India: more than just prison visitsLocated at the heart of this gigantic country (over 1 billion inhabitants), the delegation is a constant hive of activity. While detention work remains at the top of the list, the ICRC is also supporting the Indian Red Cross in its work with people affected by violence. Head of delegation François Stamm talks about the wide range of activities the ICRC conducts in India and the challenges ahead. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\India) Interview Includes Photo 22-5-2009 Sri Lanka: ICRC resumes assistance to displaced people in Vavuniya campOn 21 May, the Sri Lankan authorities restored the ICRC’s access to parts of Menik Farm. This is the largest camp for displaced persons in Sri Lanka, housing over 130,000 people. An update from Monica Zanarelli, the ICRC's deputy head of operations for South Asia. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Interview Includes Photo 15-5-2009 Pakistan: more war always means more victimsThe latest fighting in Pakistan's North-Western Frontier Province (NWFP) has caused civilian casualties and massive displacement. Hundreds of thousands have fled in recent days. Tens of thousands inside the conflict areas are in danger, not only from the fighting but also because they are virtually cut off from basic health care, food, water and sanitation. ICRC head of delegation Pascal Cuttat explains the organization's response to the crisis.
(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Interview Includes Photo 30-3-2009 Afghanistan: 30 years of sufferingDirector of Operations Pierre Krähenbühl voices the ICRC's concern about how the Afghan conflict is hitting civilians increasingly hard. Unless the warring parties do more to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law, civilians will continue to bear the brunt of the violence. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Interview Includes Photo Official Statement1-6-2008 Intervening in humanitarian emergenciesAddress by Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, at the 7th Shangri-La Dialogue, IISS* Asian Security summit, 1 June 2008, Singapore. (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\Other organizations) Official Statement Operational update15-10-2009 Afghanistan: no respite for civilians as violence continuesDespite the Ramadan celebrations, attacks and fighting continued daily throughout September. Once again, civilians bore the brunt of the violence. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Operational update 18-9-2009 Afghanistan: ICRC hospital treats bomb victims during election periodThe recent elections in Afghanistan brought a spate of bombings. As well as helping treat the victims, the ICRC gave support to Afghan Red Crescent health operations and first-aid volunteers. Behind the scenes, ICRC personnel were busy promoting humanitarian law, visiting prisoners, helping disabled people to rejoin society and providing safe drinking water. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Operational update 25-8-2009 Philippines: tens of thousands of people are still displaced in Central MindanaoThe ICRC delegation in the Philippines is assisting more than 150,000 people displaced in connection with internal armed conflict in Central Mindanao. Humanitarian needs in the area remain acute. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Philippines) Operational update Includes Photo 12-8-2009 Afghanistan: caring for civilians caught up in conflictAfghanistan is one of the ICRC's biggest operations worldwide, with 119 delegates and 1,314 national staff based at the organization's main delegation in Kabul and in five sub-delegations and eight offices countrywide. This is an update on ICRC activities in the country in July 2009. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Operational update Includes Photo 9-6-2009 Sri Lanka: ICRC assists thousands of persons in government-run sites for the displacedThe ICRC has been bringing aid to thousands of civilians who fled the areas formerly held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and is visiting a growing number of persons held in relation to the conflict in government places of detention. The following is the latest report on ICRC activities between March and May 2009.
(The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Operational update Includes Photo 4-6-2009 Pakistan: ICRC returns to Swat and expands assistance in conflict-affected areasIn the past few days the ICRC has returned to Swat, where the security situation remains volatile. Damage to civilian infrastructure is considerable in and near the main city, Mingora, where local residents were cut off from basic services for weeks. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Operational update Includes Photo Photo Collection26-10-2009 Pakistan: ICRC and Red Crescent help people displaced by violence in North-West Frontier Province As thousands flee fighting in the south of Waziristan, the ICRC and the Pakistan Red Crescent continue to help people displaced in the north of the country over the last six months. A large percentage have been able to go home, but violence is continuing, and is still forcing many to remain in camps in North-West Frontier Province. (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific) Photo Collection Includes Photo 26-6-2009 Pakistan: civilians struggle as fighting continues around them Some 2.5 million people have fled the fighting in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan since early May. They are staying with host families or in camps outside areas directly affected by the fighting, often with extremely limited access to clean water, electricity, medical care and communications. (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific) Photo Collection Includes Photo 30-3-2009 Pakistan: caring for people wounded by fighting along the Afghan border Fighting along the northern stretch of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has intensified over the past eight months. Tens of thousands of civilians have been forced to leave the conflict zones to seek refuge in safer places, and the number of people wounded by the fighting has increased. The ICRC has stepped up its surgical and physical rehabilitation activities, particularly in Peshawar, North West Frontier Province. (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific) Photo Collection Includes Photo 11-11-2008 Afghanistan: seeing families through the harsh winter The worst drought in a decade, soaring food prices and relentless insecurity could force thousands of Afghans from their homes this winter in search of food and work. The ICRC and Afghan Red Crescent Society are working hard to meet the needs of 280,000 people in the northern and north-western provinces. (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific) Photo Collection Includes Photo 2-10-2008 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 21-8-2008 Missing persons in Nepal: the right to know In 2001 following the breakdown in the truce between the government and the Maoists, 20 young men left home in Jogimara, Dhading District to work on an airport runway being built 800 km away in western Nepal. Seventeen of them never returned. (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific) Photo Collection Includes Photo 6-6-2008 The many faces of Sri Lanka's long armed conflict In Sri Lanka, 25 years of armed conflict between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have had serious humanitarian consequences for civilians throughout the country. Over the years many people have fled their homes, particularly in the conflict-affected areas in the north and east of the country, and families have become separated. The ICRC has been working in Sri Lanka for almost two decades, aiming to improve the situation of affected populations on both sides of the armed conflict - including the internally displaced, the wounded and the sick, separated families and detainees. (Info resources\Photos\Asia and the Pacific) Photo Collection Includes Photo Press briefing21-4-2009 Sri Lanka: situation of civilians nothing short of catastrophicAt a press conference in Geneva on 21 April, the ICRC's director of operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, described the situation in the north-east of Sri Lanka as "dramatic". He explicitly warned that government forces and fighters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) must take immediate action to prevent further mass casualties among civilians. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Press briefing Includes Photo 1-4-2009 Afghanistan/Pakistan: put the humanitarian factor on the agendaJust before the conference on Afghanistan and Pakistan in The Hague, ICRC head of operations for South Asia Jacques de Maio called for humanitarian considerations to be high on the agenda. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific) Press briefing Includes Photo Video Collection18-5-2009 Pakistan: Alina's Story Ten-year-old Alina lives in Khyber Agency in north-west Pakistan. At the ICRC'S field hospital in Peshawar she remembers the day when she was going out to play and a sudden massive explosion knocked her unconscious. The bomb killed her friend outright and left Alina badly wounded – both casualties of the fighting in the region which is taking a heavy toll on civilians. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video More in this section21-7-2009 Under the protection of the palm: wars of dignity in the PacificThis publication looks into behaviour of humanity in the midst of traditional wars in the Pacific and highlights similarities with contemporary principles of international humanitarian law. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Fiji) Includes PDF  |
