In all these countries, the ICRC strives to facilitate the restoring of contact between members of families that have been separated by armed conflict or other violent situations as well as between detainees and their families. Since 2005, delegates have been visiting places of detention in Mauritania and Tunisia.

In connection with the Western Sahara conflict, the ICRC acts as a neutral intermediary in supporting the parties in their efforts to clarify what happened to people who are missing. It also endeavours to help meet, directly or indirectly, the needs of persons affected by mines or other explosive remnants of war. To this end, the ICRC in 2008 opened a limb-fitting and rehabilitation centre in Tindouf, in south-western Algeria near the Sahrawi refugee camps.

In all situations covered by the Tunis delegation, the organization works to spread knowledge of international humanitarian law and ICRC activities around the world. It promotes implementation of the law at national level and its incorporation in school and university programmes and in military training.

For some of these activities, in particular restoring family links and promoting the law, the National Red Crescent Societies work closely with the ICRC.

Presence (2009): 37 staff, including 17 expatriates