Geneva (ICRC) – The use of forensics in humanitarian crises poses numerous challenges for forensic scientists and other specialists who investigate war crimes and human rights violations.

This list presents the latest additions to the library’s collection of books and articles.

Despite 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.

For 11 years, young Yusuf Muhammad had not seen his mother because he had fled the conflict in Darfur and crossed into Chad while she remained in Sudan. Through sheer determination on his part, and help from the ICRC, mother and son are now back together.

Brice Osmer lost his arm in 2005 after being hit by a stray bullet near his home in Cité Soleil. Shortly thereafter, his wife was shot in the stomach and barely survived. Violence affects 98% of the population of this sprawling shanty town, one of the poorest in the Western hemisphere, hindering people's ability to work and thus put food on the table for their families.

Islamabad/Peshawar (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society have launched the first stage of an extensive economic assistance programme for families affected by violence in Malakand Division.

The ICRC is deeply shocked by the abduction of its staff member Gauthier Lefèvre in West Darfur on 22 October. It urges his abductors to release him immediately and unconditionally, and remains determined to continue to help Sudan's most vulnerable people. This is an update on ICRC activities in Sudan.

Israel, 16-19 November, 2009

Dakar (ICRC) – The Dakar regional delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Senegal's justice ministry are organizing a seminar on "the rights of detainees, hygiene and health," which will take place from 4 to 6 November at the national police academy in Dakar. It will be attended by 30 senior prison administration officials.

United Nations, General Assembly, 64th session, Third Committee, Items 41 of the agenda, Statement by the ICRC, New York, 3 November 2009

Baku (ICRC) – In the village of Hasangaya, in Terter district, almost 100 internally displaced people (IDPs), mainly women and children, now have unimpeded access to safe drinking water thanks to work carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in cooperation with local authorities and community members.

The ICRC continues to help those who are most vulnerable by supporting health facilities, repairing water systems and launching community projects. This is an update on these and other ICRC activities carried out in Israel and the occupied territories from July to September 2009.

The dire economic situation, compounded by the political violence in Zimbabwe in 2008, has left many people increasingly vulnerable. This is an overview of the ICRC’s main activities in Zimbabwe since the beginning of 2009.

This fact sheet highlights the achievements of the Mine Ban Convention, ten years after its entry into force. It also outlines the remaning challenges that will need to be addressed by the 156 States party to the Convention, at the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World (29 November-4 December 2009), the name given to the Second Review Conference of the Convention.

For the estimated 21,100 Syrian Arabs living in the occupied Golan, travel to Syria proper is severely restricted, if not impossible. The ICRC works as a neutral intermediary with officials in Syria and in Israel to help students and pilgrims cross the demarcation line for educational and religious purposes.

The suffering caused by anti-personnel mines is horrific. A victim who survives typically requires amputation, multiple operations and prolonged physical rehabilitation, commonly suffering permanent disability – with serious social, psychological and economic implications. Fortunately, 156 States have joined the Mine Ban Convention, which establishes a comprehensive ban on these weapons. The number of new mine victims has fallen significantly since the Convention was adopted.

This brochure examines the risks faced by children caught up in armed conflict, the steps taken by the ICRC to address their specific needs, and the rules of law defined to protect them.

Contacts at ICRC headquarters in Geneva and delegations worldwide

Maps of ICRC operations in Sri Lanka

Bukavu (ICRC) – The ICRC delegation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today concluded a set of two war surgery seminars in Bukavu, South Kivu, in the east of the country.

Islamabad/Geneva (ICRC) – In the wake of Wednesday's bombing in Peshawar – the latest and bloodiest in a string of attacks targeting civilians – the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is alarmed at the severe and intensifying impact of violence on Pakistan's civilian population.

New research commissioned by ICRC as part of the Our world. Your move. campaign sheds light on the experiences of people living with armed conflict. Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 2, 2009.

Geneva – Argentine footballer Lionel Messi is lending his support to the Our world. Your move. campaign – an initiative by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to raise awareness of today's humanitarian challenges and highlight the power of individuals to make a big difference.

The 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.

ICRC staff member Gauthier Lefèvre was abducted in West Darfur, Sudan, a week ago. The ICRC's head of operations for East Africa, Daniel Duvillard, speaks about how the organization is dealing with this crisis.

Since 1955 the ICRC manages the International Tracing Service (ITS) in Bad Arolsen which traces Nazi victims and their families. The ITS documents their fate and makes its archives available for research.

In the field

On 24 September 2009, about 560 Druze pilgrims were allowed to cross from the occupied Golan into Syria proper through the Kuneitra crossing. Since there are no diplomatic relations between Syria and Israel, the ICRC acted as a neutral intermediary between the two countries to facilitate the pilgrimage. The ICRC’s work in the Golan focuses on re-establishing and maintaining family links between the Syrian Arab residents of the occupied Golan and their relatives on the other side of the demarcation line.