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News Haiti earthquake: more help for people in camps and unaccompanied children 4-2-2010 Operational update Includes Photo 29-1-2010 TV news footage Section ICRC operations in the Americas A country-by-country overview of the ICRC’s work to provide neutral and independent assistance and protection for victims of conflict.
©ICRC/V.Louis/co-e-00200
Its main operation in the region is in Colombia. Elsewhere, it visits detainees and tries to help families who are desperate to know the fate of relatives missing because of conflict. As a strictly neutral intermediary, the ICRC maintains contacts with governments, regional organisations and opposition groups.
 Key document26-10-2009 Persons detained by the US in relation to armed conflict and the fight against terrorism – the role of the ICRCThis document explains the purpose of the ICRC's visits to places of detention run by the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the procedures that the organization follows. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\United States) Operational update 10-7-2008 The ICRC in Latin America and the Caribbean In many Latin American and Caribbean countries, people are suffering the consequences of armed conflict and other situations of violence. In other countries, a conflict may have ended decades ago, but people are still struggling to rebuild their devastated lives. Maria Dos Anjos Gussing, the ICRC’s head of operations for Latin America and the Caribbean, details the organization's efforts to meet humanitarian needs in the region. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas) Interview Includes Photo Annual Report27-5-2009 ICRC Annual Report 2008: Europe and the Americas: Introduction(Info resources\Annual Report\2008) Annual Report Includes PDF Annual Report Includes PDF Event24-11-2009 The Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World Cartagena, Colombia, 29 November - 4 December 2009. Second Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. (Info resources\Events) Event Includes Photo Feature9-2-2010 Haiti earthquake: sleeping rough at the PrimatureSince 12 January, tens of thousands of people have been living a hand-to-mouth existence on the streets of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. During a recent food distribution, Jessica Barry talked with families living in the garden of the prime minister's office, the Primature. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Feature Includes Photo 2-2-2010 Earthquake in Haiti: Marie Yolaine has lost almost everything Marie Yolaine lost nine members of her family to the earthquake. One of her two surviving children then mysteriously disappeared – his body was found the following day. She came to the Haitian Red Cross for help. Simon Schorno, ICRC spokesperson, tells her story from Port-au-Prince. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Feature Includes Photo 2-2-2010 Haiti earthquake: protecting unaccompanied children a priority Protecting unaccompanied children and restoring links between them and their families is one of the ICRC’s top priorities in Haiti. Marc Studer is in charge of restoring family links in Port-au-Prince. He explains how the ICRC works in partnership with the Haitian Red Cross, UNICEF and local organizations. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Feature Includes Photo 29-1-2010 Haiti earthquake: scrambling for water The ICRC and the Haitian Red Cross have recently set up four water distribution points in Cité Soleil. For many of the shantytown's poorest residents, this is the only clean water available. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Feature Includes Photo 2-12-2009 Colombia: tools for building a better future Most civilian victims of weapon contamination in Colombia live in rural areas, but returning to agricultural work after an accident can be difficult. In many cases, they have to leave their homes and move to a city, alone or with their families, to get the medical treatment they need. Many are also forced to leave the area for safety reasons. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 11-11-2009 Colombian: a displaced mother who lost 2 sons: "you never get over it" Millions of people have been displaced over decades of armed conflict in Colombia, and tens of thousands are missing. Cruz del Carmen faces a triple tragedy: her husband was killed, two of her children are missing, and she was displaced from her farm twelve years ago. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Feature Includes Photo 29-5-2009 Guatemala: putting an end to the pain of uncertainty The 1960-1996 internal armed conflict in Guatemala left tens of thousands of people dead and missing. The authorities, victims’ relatives, and various organizations are still searching for the remains of many of these people. Once found, they must be identified. The ICRC offers technical advice and material assistance to the Guatemalan organizations that are pursuing these efforts, and supports the families through the legal proceedings. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Guatemala) Feature Includes Photo 6-4-2009 Peru: overcrowding fuels tuberculosis infection in prisons Tuberculosis is a disease which is transmitted from person to person. For this reason, it spreads easily in prisons marked by overcrowded conditions. In Peru, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) took part in training health promoters to detect possible cases of infection in order to obtain immediate treatment for them. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Peru) Feature Includes Photo 3-4-2009 El Salvador: "Safer Access" model successfully put into practice during 2009 elections In order to be able to respond quickly and effectively to any possible incidents during the presidential elections in March in El Salvador, the Salvadorean Red Cross implemented its Elections 2009 Contingency Plan, with the technical and financial support of the ICRC. The ICRC supported the National Society's prevention work and ensured that its operational and security guidelines were followed. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\El Salvador) Feature Includes Photo 6-3-2009 Mexico: the importance of supporting prisoners’ familiesWomen often face major problems when a member of their family is imprisoned, especially a man. Eva learned all about this when her husband was arrested for taking part in demonstrations in the Mexican city of Oaxaca during 2006. She agreed to tell us her story, recounting with great dignity her suffering and the difficulties she faced during this period of separation. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Mexico) Feature 4-3-2009 Haiti: midwives bring solace to women in Haiti’s slumsMidwives Marie Joseph and Françoise understand the suffering of women in Cité Soleil. Marie Joseph’s daughter and Françoise’s niece have been victims of the rampant sexual violence in Haiti’s sprawling waterside slum. Trained by the Red Cross, the two midwives help evacuate pregnant and sexually abused women to hospital. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Feature 2-2-2009 "United against dengue": the Red Cross and the residents of Rio join forces to prevent the disease The ICRC and the Brazilian Red Cross (BRC) mounted the campaign "United against dengue" in seven "socially vulnerable" districts of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil. As part of the campaign, more than 80 community workers, members of the health profession and BRC volunteers received training so that they could explain to the population how to avoid a dengue epidemic. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Brazil) Feature Includes Photo Field newsletter31-1-2010 Canada and the USA: News and Notes, January 2010Happy New Year! Thanks to all the readers who have already completed our feedback survey. If you haven't yet taken part, it's not too late, as we have decided to keep the survey open until 31 January. We begin this month's newletter with a word on the ICRC's response to the 12 January earthquake in Haiti. Next, we bring you an interview with the ICRC's head of delegation in Afghanistan, Reto Stocker, followed by the latest on ICRC operations in Yemen. We report on the international humanitarian law course co-hosted by the ICRC and Santa Clara Law School's Center for Global Law and Policy and wrap up with a peek into the ICRC's historical archives in Geneva, which go back to 1863. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\United States) Field newsletter ICRC Publication25-1-2008 Participation of American States in IHL treaties and their national implementation – 2007 ReportThis document summarizes the major developments that took place during 2007 regarding the national implementation of international humanitarian law in the Americas. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Humanitarian law) ICRC Publication Includes PDF International Review of the Red Cross31-12-2008 Interview with The Hon. Sergio Jaramillo Caro, Vice Minister of Defence in ColombiaThe Honourable Sergio Jaramillo Caro is Vice Minister of Defence in Colombia. Prior to this, he held several diplomatic and governmental positions, including adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (where he was in charge of diplomacy for peace), Political Counsellor of the Embassy of Colombia in France, and Adviser for Political and Strategic Affairs of the Ministry of Defence. (Info resources\International Review\2008 - No. 872) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 30-6-2006 Reflections on international humanitarian law and transitional justice: lessons to be learnt from the Latin American experienceThis article seeks to determine the influence of international humanitarian law on the transitional justice process. The author examines the specific experience of certain Latin American states that have been deeply affected by serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. (Info resources\International Review\2006 - No. 862) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF Interview2-2-2010 Haiti earthquake: no effort must be spared in reuniting children with their families The earthquake in Haiti has been particularly devastating for children who lost their parents. ICRC child protection adviser Kristin Barstad explains what the organization is doing alongside other agencies to find the best solution to the plight of unaccompanied children. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Interview Includes Photo 20-1-2010 Haiti earthquake: providing safe water and basic sanitation Last week’s earthquake seriously disrupted Port-au-Prince’s water supply. Robert Mardini leads the water and habitat unit at ICRC headquarters in Geneva. He explains what the organization is doing to restore water supplies and provide sanitation facilities. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Interview Includes Photo 19-1-2010 Haiti: helping restore family links severed by the earthquake Following the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti, thousands of people left with no news of their loved ones are living in anguish. Robert Zimmerman, deputy head of the ICRC's central tracing agency and protection division discusses the problem and what the organization is doing to help people trace missing relatives. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Interview 15-1-2010 Haiti earthquake: health priorities and challenges in large-scale disastersWhile the ICRC is focusing its efforts on bringing medical aid to the most vulnerable and assessing water needs, it is also struggling to support a health-care system in ruins. Elisabeth Le Saout, the deputy head of the ICRC's health unit, describes health priorities and challenges when disaster strikes. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Haiti) Interview Includes Photo 3-12-2009 Uruguay: an ex-detainee talks about his time in prison and the visits by the Red CrossUruguayan poet and playwright Mauricio Rosencof was imprisoned from 1973 to 1985 for his activism in the National Liberation Movement – the Tupamaros. Rosencof talks of his 13 years of isolation and what the Red Cross visits meant to him. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Uruguay) Interview Includes Photo 3-12-2009 Prison visits in Uruguay: an ICRC delegate shares his experiences, 25 years onHernán Reyes has been an ICRC doctor for 26 years. During this time, he has visited hundreds of prisons across five different continents. In 1984, during the period of military rule in Uruguay, he was finally granted access to nine detainees who had been kept in solitary confinement for over a decade. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Uruguay) Interview Includes Photo 28-9-2009 Honduras: "Red Cross must be able to work in safety"The ICRC and the Honduran Red Cross are working together to help people affected by the recent clashes between demonstrators and the security forces. Christoph Kleber, deputy head of the ICRC's regional delegation for Central America, describes Red Cross action on the ground in Tegucigalpa. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Honduras) Interview Includes Photo 3-4-2009 Colombia: providing access to water during armed conflict The lack of a reliable water supply is, for some communities, the result of isolation and poverty. Armed conflict can also limit people’s access to water. Honduras Motilona is a settlement in north-eastern Colombia, an area that has been severely affected by the conflict. Here, in 2008, the ICRC worked with the community and the local authorities to build an aqueduct. Paola Ximena Cárdenas, ICRC water and habitat specialist, describes the project in more detail. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Video 5-2-2009 Colombia: emotions flow as released captives are reunited with their families The ICRC is helping to prepare the release of former lawmaker Sigifredo López, currently held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Patricia Danzi, ICRC head of operations for Latin America, describes recent missions that enabled five other people to return to their families. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Interview Includes Photo 30-6-2008 Protecting people in situations of internal violenceIn January 2008, the head of the ICRC’s regional delegation in Buenos Aires, Michel Minnig, addressed the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs of the Organization of American States on the subject of internal violence. In this interview, he reviews the main points of his statement. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas) Interview Operational update16-9-2009 Colombia: ICRC activities from April to June 2009 The armed conflict in Colombia is having a major impact on public health. Attacks on medical personnel are hindering community access to basic health services, and many of those injured are not receiving effective and appropriate medical attention. In response to these concerns, in April the ICRC took part in the first national seminar on the delivery of medical services in wartime.
(The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Colombia) Operational update Includes Photo 7-5-2009 ICRC activities in 2008 in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay The ICRC strives increasingly to assist people caught up in internal violence and tensions, especially clashes in urban settings and strife related to social, indigenous and land issues in various parts of Brazil, Paraguay and Chile. It also promotes international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles throughout the region. (The ICRC worldwide\The Americas\Argentina) Operational update Includes Photo Photo Collection28-1-2010 Haiti earthquake: photo selection – 22 to 27 January Photos illustrating the situation in Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake and the ICRC's response. Media outlets are welcome to download and use these photos, which are also available in high resolution. (Info resources\Photos\The Americas) Photo Collection Includes Photo 22-1-2010 Haiti earthquake: photo selection - 18 to 21 January Photos illustrating the situation in Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake and the ICRC's response. Media outlets are welcome to download and use these photos, which are also available in high resolution. New photos will be added every day (Info resources\Photos\The Americas) Photo Collection Includes Photo 11-1-2010 Peru: 25 years of ICRC presence The ICRC has been assisting and protecting conflict victims in Peru since 1984 – those affected by the country's internal armed conflict (1980-2000) and those caught up in the international armed conflict between Peru and Ecuador (1995). The ICRC also strives to spread knowledge of international humanitarian law and of the basic humanitarian principles of the Red Cross throughout the country. (Info resources\Photos\The Americas) Photo Collection Includes Photo 16-10-2009 Colombia: more than 40 years on, the conflict continues – photo gallery The population of Colombia is still feeling the impact of a conflict that began in the 1960s. The ICRC continues to help ease the suffering of the most vulnerable – the injured, the displaced, detainees and families of missing persons. These photos were taken in February and March 2009 by war photographer Franco Pagetti, from the VII photo agency. (Info resources\Photos\The Americas) Photo Collection Includes Photo Report31-1-2007 Participation in international humanitarian law treaties and their
national implementation: achievements and activities in the AmericasThis report outlines the main developments concerning the national implementation of international humanitarian law in the Americas during 2006. (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\Other organizations) Report Includes PDF Video Collection1-2-2010 Haiti earthquake: medical aid for the survivors The need for urgent medical aid for earthquake survivors is desperate. Health care personnel from all over the world have joined forces to treat the wounded. Field hospitals and operating theatres have been set up for the most severe cases. Shortly after the disaster struck, first-aid posts were set up by the Haitian Red Cross and the ICRC, providing basic health care to tens of thousands living in makeshift camps. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video 29-1-2010 Haiti: water for earthquake survivors The water supply in Port-au-Prince was already in a critical state but the earthquake made the situation far worse as the supply network was crushed and fractured. Tens of thousands of people were left without safe water. Setting up self contained water storage and distribution systems was an immediate priority for the ICRC. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video 28-1-2010 Haiti: earthquake survivors reconnect In Haiti, thousands of people live in anguish, unsure whether their relatives are buried under the rubble or alive and unable to communicate. In the first two weeks following the earthquake, Red Cross tracing teams offered over 2,000 phone calls to survivors in the largest camps in Port-au-Prince, so they could get in touch with relatives abroad. Over 3,000 people have posted a "safe and well" message on a special website (www.icrc.org/familylinks), while 22,000 persons are listed as unaccounted for. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video 15-1-2010 Haiti earthquake: essential staff and goods on their way From the onset of the disaster, ICRC staff already in Haiti distributed medical items to hospitals. The relief effort is gathering pace with the departure from Geneva of specialized staff to Port-au-Prince. A cargo plane carrying 40 tonnes of relief supplies left Switzerland Thursday evening. Due to the prevailing chaos in Haiti, access and security are the biggest challenges the humanitarian community is now facing. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video  |
