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News Kampala: ICRC supports African Union initiative to address challenges of internal displacement 21-10-2009 News release 8-10-2009 News release Section War and Displacement: internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees Section on how armed conflict results in large-scale displacement of civilians, both within the frontiers of a country and, as refugees, across international borders; reference material on the problem and illustrations from the field.
©ICRC / J. Tanner / ph-e-00034
08.2008 Philippines. Displaced people sheltering near the town of Pikit in North Cotabato.
They are obliged to travel long distances, often on foot, to seek safe refuge away from the fighting. Families are dispersed, children lose contact with their parents in the chaos of flight, elderly relatives too weak to undertake such an arduous journey are left behind to fend for themselves. See also the section : Refugees, internally displaced persons and international humanitarian lawLinks to other sites : Displacement  Key document23-10-2009 Root causes and prevention of internal displacement: the ICRC perspectiveStatement by Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC. Special summit on refugees, returnees and IDPs in Africa, Kampala, Uganda, 23 October 2009. (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\Other organizations) Official Statement 30-9-2009 60th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's ProgrammeUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, address by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva, 28 September – 2 October 2009 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations) Official Statement 24-7-2009 The ICRC's activities in favour of the displaced: 2008 overviewIn 2008, armed conflicts and other situations of violence shattered the lives of large numbers of children, women and men in many countries, including Chad, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, and Sri Lanka. Direct attacks on civilian communities, general insecurity and the destruction of livelihoods forced innumerable civilians to flee their homes. Assisting and protecting internally displaced people (IDPs), who are protected under international humanitarian law (IHL) and other relevant international law, remained one of the ICRC’s priorities throughout 2008. (Focus\War and displacement) Operational update 16-3-2007 IDPs in armed conflict : key pointsRespecting the rights of civilian populations in armed conflict and other situations of violence is the best prevention against displacement. No affected person should be left unattended and all should benefit from protection and assistance in accordance with their needs. (Focus\War and displacement) 8-3-2007 Internally displaced peopleThe displacement of people within their own countries owing to war or natural disasters is a matter of growing concern worldwide. This concern is amply justified: time and again, internally displaced people (IDPs) suffer extreme hardship that jeopardizes their very survival. (Focus\War and displacement) ICRC Publication 3-7-2006 ICRC position on internally displaced persons (IDPs)The purpose of this document is to explain the ICRC's position on the issue of IDPs. It
discusses the operational challenges of responding to the plight of IDPs, the best ways of
protecting and assisting IDPs, and the ICRC's contribution to the policy debate on this issue. (Focus\War and displacement) Includes PDF Feature8-10-2009 Yemen: stories of women displaced by warTens of thousands of Yemenis have fled the fighting of recent months. Some of them have taken refuge in schools. In Khaiwan Medina in the north of Amran governorate, five families are living in the village school. Each of them occupies one small classroom, with no toilet or window. Most people could take very little as they scrambled to escape the fighting. The ICRC has provided mattresses, stoves, tarpaulins and food. But now the families are under pressure, as the school year is starting and they are being asked to leave. Three women talk about their flight, and about life as a displaced family. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Yemen) 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 12-6-2009 Democratic Republic of the Congo: Rachel, or the weight of water The population of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, has nearly tripled since 1994 owing to the many waves of people driven from their homes in the countryside. The city's infrastructure was not prepared for such an increase, and over half of residents don't have regular access to drinking water. This has led to poor hygiene and a growing incidence of disease, particularly among the displaced people who have found refuge in the city. Here are portraits of three of them and their daily struggle to find clean water. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa) Feature Includes Photo 11-6-2009 Pakistan: a bed for the nightThe ICRC and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society have set up a camp in Swabi, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), to receive up to 35,000 people who have fled the fighting in the province. They represent just a fraction of the overall number of displaced NWFP residents, who now number over two million according to official figures, but their stories give an idea of the phenomenon as a whole. (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 2-3-2009 Democratic Republic of the Congo: the promise of a new day in North Kivu Though the situation remains volatile, security is gradually improving in some parts of eastern Congo. Thousands of people are taking the decision to return to their homes. The ICRC is helping them to start their lives over. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa) Feature Includes Photo 5-1-2009 Georgia: victims of conflict hope for a brighter year aheadAs Orthodox Christmas approaches in Central and Eastern Europe, many displaced and isolated families affected by the armed conflict between Russia and Georgia five months ago remain in need of help. For elderly people, like 60-year-old Nunu Doliashvili, the holiday season would have been very bleak indeed, were it not for some much-needed assistance from ICRC. (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Georgia) Feature Includes Photo 5-12-2008 India: Red Cross assists victims of violence in AssamIn India’s north-eastern states tensions and violence continue to simmer, fuelled by friction between ethnic or tribal groups and related political movements seeking autonomy or
independence. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\India) Feature 21-10-2008 Philippines: caring for the sick and woundedSince the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front resumed fighting in August, medical personnel in Central Mindanao have been working around the clock. The ICRC’s Iolanda Jaquemet talks about their daunting task. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Philippines) Feature Includes Photo 24-9-2008 Sri Lanka: ICRC helps displaced people return to traditional livelihoodsThe ICRC is set to distribute seed and fertilizer to small farmers displaced by the armed conflict in order to enable them to generate an income the way they used to – by cultivating their land. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Feature 17-9-2008 Pakistan: displaced people face social upheavalFighting between government forces and the armed opposition continues in the region bordering Afghanistan. Civilians are paying a heavy price. The ICRC’s Sitara Jabeen reports on the cultural and social challenges facing displaced people on the Pakistani/Afghan border. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Pakistan) Feature Includes Photo 8-8-2008 Central African Republic: the road home is paved with fear and povertySeveral thousand people fled the Central African Republic (CAR) in 2002 and 2003 for the refugee camps of Yoroungou, Chad. Now, they have begun the journey home to their villages in the north-west of the CAR. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Central African Republic) Feature Includes Photo 23-1-2008 Kenya: Red Cross counsellors provide needed help for displacedAbout 1,500 people remain at the police station camp for the displaced in Kakamega. Many of them own small businesses in the town and are reluctant to abandon their property. Red Cross counsellors are providing much-needed support to those who are at a loss as to where to go from here. Bernard Barrett reports. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Feature Includes Photo 15-1-2008 Kenya: ensuring proper water supply for the displacedThousands of people who fled their homes following the violence in Kenya are now at risk of not having sufficient access to clean water. The ICRC and Kenya Red Cross (KRCS) are teaming up to rectify the situation in central Rift Valley. Bernard Barrett reports. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Feature Includes Photo ICRC film18-1-2008 Central African Republic: stranded in the bushFilm showing the impact of violence in northern parts of the Central African Republic, that has left villages torched, people attacked and killed, children kidnapped. Tens of thousands have fled, scattering deeper into the equatorial forest and setting up makeshift camps, where they rely on aid to survive. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video 27-2-2007 Colombia: searching for safetyColombia has been ravaged by over four decades of armed conflict. An estimated three million people have fled violence in the countryside. In this film, we meet Carmen, Maria and Anna who have moved to Bogota in search of safety. They survive, despite their minimal income and the constant fear of further violence, receiving some help from the ICRC's emergency assistance programme. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video 26-2-2007 Liberia: homecoming in GorluAfter 14 years of war, the villagers of Gorlu in Lofa County are finally starting to come home. But life is hard, especially for the women. Lofo, grandmother of seven, was forced out of the village 10 years ago and she's lost everything. But with tolerance and humour, she is determined to put down her roots again. With some assistance from the ICRC, her new house gradually takes shape. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\From the field) ICRC film Includes Video 26-2-2007 Women fleeing warArmed conflict displaces people from their homes and livelihoods. Women often have to cope with the loss of close relatives and find new way to support themselves and their families. The ICRC works to understand the specific needs of women displaced by war, in order to better help them. This film tells the story of five women displaced by conflict in Colombia, Liberia and Sudan. Although the contexts are different, the challenges these women face bear striking similarities. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Protection) ICRC film Includes Video ICRC Publication30-11-2007 A review of the displaced population in eight cities of Colombia: local institutional response, living conditions and recommendations for their assistanceBetween November 2006 and June 2007, the ICRC and World Food Programme undertook a study of the displaced populations in eight Colombian cities. The following executive summary brings together the results of the study and the recommendations that came out of it. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 23-2-2007 Internally displaced peopleThe displacement of people within their own countries owing to war or natural disasters is a matter of growing concern worldwide. This concern is amply justified: time and again, internally displaced people (IDPs) suffer extreme hardship that jeopardizes their very survival. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF Interview15-5-2009 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 30-1-2009 Sri Lanka: helping families keep in touch across the front lineThe conflict in northern Sri Lanka has affected some 200,000 civilians in the Vanni. The majority have fled their homes, while others are at risk of displacement in this volatile situation. Many have not been able to talk to their families in recent days and weeks. Monica Zanarelli, the ICRC’s deputy head of operations for South Asia, explains the organization's efforts to re-establish family links in an extremely volatile situation. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Interview Includes Photo 27-11-2008 Sri Lanka: civilians long for elusive peaceFighting continues in northern Sri Lanka, isolating the region from the rest of the island and displacing civilians repeatedly. Hicham Mandoudi of the ICRC discusses the organization’s assistance to civilians fleeing the areas affected by the conflict. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Sri Lanka) Interview Includes Photo 28-8-2008 Philippines: rescuing civilians threatened by conflict
Intensifying conflict between the army and an armed group on Mindanao Island is worsening the lot of thousands of displaced civilians. The ICRC's head of delegation in Manila, Felipe Donoso, discusses their plight and the organization's efforts to come to their aid. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Philippines) Interview Includes Photo 13-8-2008 Economic support for thousands of families in Congo-Kinshasa - A major challenge at a time of global food crisisTo cope with the tragic situation in North and South Kivu, the ICRC has nearly doubled its assistance to people affected by the internal armed conflict. Ian Byram, who heads the ICRC’s economic security unit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, explains the action being taken by the ICRC to meet people’s needs. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Congo-Kinshasa) Interview Includes Photo 30-6-2008 Somalia: humanitarian crisis deepens amid growing insecuritySomalia is facing its worst crisis in a decade, with drought, fighting and spiralling food prices having a devastating effect on the population. Pascal Hundt, the ICRC's outgoing head of delegation in Somalia, describes the complexities of the enduring conflict, and the ICRC's role in helping the Somali people cope with a multitude of hardships. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Somalia) Interview Includes Photo 23-4-2008 Somalia: 'delivering the goods' despite increasingly volatile climateThe situation in Somalia is growing steadily worse, with increasing violence having caused a mass exodus from Mogadishu. Daniel Gagnon, the ICRC's economic security delegate in Somalia, describes the plight of the beleaguered Somali people, and what the ICRC is doing to help. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Somalia) Interview Includes Photo 8-4-2008 Chad: adapting assistance to specific needs of the displaced in the eastFollowing the failed offensive on the Chadian capital, N'Djamena in early February, increasingly frequent confrontations between armed opposition groups and the army continue in Chad, along with regular, localized inter-community violence in the East. Upon return from a visit to Chad, the ICRC's deputy director of operations, Dominik Stillhart, describes the current humanitarian situation and in particular ICRC's specific approach to assistance in Eastern Chad. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Chad) Interview Includes Photo 18-2-2008 Humanitarian situation worsens as Afghan hostilities spreadThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. As armed hostilities spread and insecurity grows, more and more people are being forced to flee their homes. It is also becoming increasingly difficult for the ICRC to access displaced people throughout the country. In addition, freezing temperatures and blizzards have affected several areas, killing hundreds. Interview with Franz Rauchenstein, ICRC deputy head of delegation in Afghanistan. (The ICRC worldwide\Asia and the Pacific\Afghanistan) Interview Includes Photo 11-1-2008 Displaced in Kenya: reaching those in needOver 250,000 people are on the move in Kenya as a result of post-election violence. Pascal Cuttat, the ICRC's head of delegation in Nairobi, says that the main focus and challenge at the moment is to meet the needs of the displaced in the Rift Valley and Western Kenya, a challenge that is being amply met in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Interview Includes Photo Official Statement3-11-2009 Statement of the ICRC concerning Internally Displaced Persons - Report of the UNHCRUnited Nations, General Assembly, 64th session, Third Committee, Items 41 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 3 November 2009 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\64th General Assembly) Official Statement 5-11-2008 Statement of the ICRC concerning Internally Displaced Persons - Report of the UNHCRUnited Nations, General Assembly, 63rd session, Third Committee, Item 39 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 5 November 2008 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\63rd General Assembly) Official Statement 17-10-2008 Humanitarian Actors – Commitment to the protection of IDPsAddress by Angelo Gnaedinger, Director-General, International Committee of the Red Cross, Ten years of Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Achievements and Future Challenges, Oslo, Conference 16-17 October 2008 (Focus\War and displacement) Official Statement 6-10-2008 59th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's ProgrammeUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, statement by Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC, Geneva, 6 October 2008 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations) Official Statement 5-10-2007 58th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's ProgrammeUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, address by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva, 1-5 October 2007 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations) Official Statement 17-4-2007 Iraq: civilians bear the brunt of violence Address by Angelo Gnaedinger, ICRC Director-General at the International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Iraq and in Neighbouring Countries, Geneva, 17-18 April, 2007 (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Official Statement Operational update15-4-2009 Colombia: humanitarian situation deterioratesAn overview of ICRC activities in Colombia in 2008 (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Includes Photo Photo Collection13-8-2009 Chad: ICRC assists displaced and other vulnerable people affected by insecurity and violence in the east of the country In 2006 and 2007, several outbursts of violence caused the displacement of tens of thousands of people in eastern Chad. The populations are today still having to cope with the consequences of chronic insecurity and violence in local areas, particularly in the areas on the border with Sudan. Whereas humanitarian and development organizations operating in the region are few and far between, the ICRC is continuing its operations there to assist displaced people, the war-wounded and prisoners as well as the most vulnerable members of the local populations. (Info resources\Photos\Africa) 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 11-3-2009 Democratic Republic of the Congo: the ICRC is standing by the population of Kivu More than 1.2 million people have fled the fighting in North Kivu since the end of 2007. As security improves in a number of regions some of these displaced persons are starting to return home, but many of them are still staying with host families. Others survive in makeshift, overcrowded camps. Life is touch and go for the displaced, who are short of everything. The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of the DRC are providing them with food and drinking water. The two organizations are also supporting hospitals and health centres in the areas concerned and are trying to reunite families who have been wrenched apart by the conflict. (Info resources\Photos\Africa) 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 19-8-2008 Georgia/Russian Federation conflict: a selection of photos - 1 The following selection of photographs can be downloaded at high resolution. (Info resources\Photos\Eastern Europe and Central Asia) Photo Collection Includes Photo 20-5-2008 The many faces of displacement in Africa They are forced to travel huge distances, often on foot, to seek safe refuge from the fighting – these are the displaced populations of Africa. The following collection provides a glimpse of the many places in Africa where people are forced to leave their homes. (Info resources\Photos\Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo 26-2-2007 Women and displacement: bearing the burden Women bear the brunt of the burden of displacement, having to strike a delicate balance between the risks they run in often hostile environments and the imperative to provide for the immediate needs of the family. This gallery provides a glimpse of contexts from around the world in which the ICRC is active and in which courageous women come together in their struggle to survive in sometimes impossibly difficult environments. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo 30-1-2007 Protecting and assisting internally displaced people A series of images that illustrates the ICRC's work in support of internally displaced persons (IDPs), portraying the great diversity of contexts in which people are forced to leave their homes. (Info resources\Photos) Photo Collection Includes Photo Press article12-9-2008 Healing wounds in KenyaThe post-election crisis in Kenya has left hundreds of people dead and displaced more than a quarter of a million. The efforts of the Kenya Red Cross Society, supported by the ICRC, proved very effective for those affected by the violence. Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 2, 2008 (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Kenya) Press article Includes Photo 2-1-2008 Unrest in the Central African Republic  Larger than France, with a population of just four million, the Central African Republic (CAR) is the world’s sixth poorest country. Increased insecurity and a series of uprisings in the north have plunged the country into a deep crisis. Article publié dans le Magazine Croix-Rouge Croissant-Rouge, No 3, 2007. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Central African Republic) Press article Includes Photo Video Collection10-10-2008 Mardan Camp for displaced persons, Pakistan In north-west Pakistan, thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes to escape fighting in Bajaur Agency. Many end up in overcrowded camps without basic facilities including clean water and health care. At Mardan camp, ICRC delegate Carl Matti explains the difficulties facing families when they arrive. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video 21-8-2008 Georgia: ICRC gets help to people caught up in conflictIn the first days of the emergency, hundreds of tonnes of food, blankets and sanitary supplies were flown into the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. During his 3 day visit to Georgia and the Russian Federation, ICRC President Jacob Kellenberger saw the difficult conditions for himself, and met some of the thousands of people displaced by fighting and in urgent need of assistance. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video More in this section4-7-2008 Internal Displacement of Populations in Armed ConflictsRecommendations made at the 10th joint seminar of the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The seminar was aimed at contributing to the current debate on the problematic of the internal displacement in Africa with a clear focus on armed conflict and other situations of violence. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa) Other site20-1-2009 Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) runs an online database providing comprehensive information and analysis on internal displacement in some 50 countries. The Centre’s IDP database provides frequently updated information and analysis on conflict-induced internal displacement around the globe. (Info resources\Other sites\Non-governmental organizations) Other site  |
