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Nigeria: an overview of ICRC activities in 2006
30-09-2006 Operational Update
In Nigeria, the ICRC focuses on prevention, humanitarian diplomacy and strengthening the capacities of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) to help those in need of assistance.
The ICRC's operational presence in Nigeria is mainly channelled through the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS) that implements the following programmes with the ICRC's support.
Assisting people displaced by violence
distribution of food and basic household materials and the provision of health care to people displaced by internal violence and refugees
re-establishing family links through the Red Cross Message system
Improving health and hygiene in prisons
distribution of hygiene items such as soap, disinfectant and detergent along with monthly cleaning exercises in more than 100 prisons
micro-projects such as sewage system repair or the construction of latrines
community-based first aid
Building local capacities
Together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the ICRC supports the NRCS to respond to emergencies. The ICRC's support focuses on conflict preparedness to:
enhance the NRCS's capacity to respond to inter-communal clashes, urban riots and political violence
pre-position food, medical and other supplies throughout the country
establish a high-frequency radio network between local branches of the NRCS
train Red Cross volunteers and staff on humanitarian law and Red Cross/Red Crescent principles
To promote respect of international humanitarian law and human rights principles, the ICRC:
holds training courses in international humanitarian law (IHL) for the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police Forces
briefs units leaving on peace-keeping operations
makes presentations about the Movement and IHL at training institutions including those of the Nigerian Defence Academy, the Command and Staff College, the National War College and the Police Staff College
promotes the inclusion of IHL in the official curriculum of Nigerian universities
supports teachers and students of IHL with educational material, workshops and sponsorships
To facilitate the implementation of IHL, the ICRC:
supports the ratification of IHL treaties and their incorporation into national legislation
holds regular discussions on human itarian issues with local and national political authorities, traditional leaders and officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
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