Beijing/Ulaanbaatar (ICRC) – A three-day training course on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) aiming at boosting the regional coordination in humanitarian response, opens today in Ulaanbaatar. Jointly organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) the course gathers 30 experts from East Asia countries.
"The scope of our cooperation is focused on promoting IHL and strengthening MRCS capacity to respond during crisis," said Madame Bolormaa Nordov, Secretary General of the MRCS. "This training will help strengthen cooperation between National Societies in East Asia and gives a venue for regional dialogue on humanitarian issues of common interests. It is also an opportunity to strengthen our partnership with local partners from the government, military and academia."
The course, entitled "East Asia Regional IHL Training", is designed to increase understanding and technical skills of participants in IHL, through thematic lectures on IHL, humanitarian principles, Civil-Military relations and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as well as case studies and on-site simulation.
"An important part of our mandate is to promote a better knowledge and the faithful implementation of IHL," said Pierre Dorbes, Head of ICRC Regional delegation for East Asia. " We consider this training session as a step in this direction and we hope this event will help clarify the auxiliary role of Red Cross Societies in relation to governments, so that they can work in a principled, safe and effective manner when organizing humanitarian response during crises."
International humanitarian law is a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war.
For further information, please contact:
Valery Mbaoh Nana, ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia, Beijing, tel: +86 186 0025 3392
Michael Zhang, ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia, Beijing, tel: +86 138 1003 5522
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