Overview of the ICRC's operations in 2002: Middle East and North Africa

 Delegations  
 
 Egypt  
 
 Personnel: 6 expatriate and 20 locally hired staff

The ICRC focuses on promoting knowledge of international humanitarian law (IHL) and its incorporation into national legislation in Egypt and, through its cooperation with the Arab League, throughout the Arab world. The ICRC organizes and supports training in IHL for the armed and security forces and for civilian and military magistrates, and promotes the inclusion of IHL and related subjects in university and school curricula. These efforts are backed by technical and academic support for implementation bodies, the production and distribution of teaching materials and other dissemination tools, and by contributing to the capacity-building of trainers, including in the Egyptian Red Crescent Society. Regional media communication is also carried out from Cairo, where the ICRC’s first Arabic website will be launched in 2002.

 
 
 Iran  
 
 Personnel : 2 expatriate and 5 locally hired staff

Since the 1988 cease-fire agreed between Iran and Iraq, the ICRC has urged the two parties, in accordance with international humanitarian law (IHL), to release and repatriate all prisoners of war (POWs), to make progress in identifying and repatriating the bodies of those killed in the war, and to resolve the problem of the missing in action. The ICRC holds private interviews with the POWs it registered during the Iran-Iraq war so as to ascertain that they do indeed wish to return home, and supervises their repatriation. It is also working to develop a partnership with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRC) and to promote IHL. As part of the relief operation for Afghanistan, the ICRC has set up an office and logistics base in Mashhad in eastern Iran, in cooperation with the IRC.

 
 
 Iraq  
 
 Personnel: 35 expatriate and 353 locally hired staff

The ICRC in Iraq continues to focus on the humanitarian issues stemming from two international conflicts – the Iran-Iraq war and the Gulf war – now aggravated by 11 years of international trade sanctions. The organization places particular emphasis on assistance activities to alleviate the plight of the Iraqi population resulting from the sanctions. In northern Iraq, the ICRC continues its traditional humanitarian tasks in the context of the conflict between rival Kurdish groups.

 
 
 Israel, the occupied territories & the autonomous territories  
 
 Personnel: 54 expatriate and 109 locally hired staff

In Israel, the occupied and the autonomous territories, the ICRC works towards ensuring faithful application of and respect for international humanitarian law (IHL), mainly the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians in time of war and occupation. In the current climate of violence, it monitors the situation of the Palestinian civilian population, carries out visits to detainees and makes representations to the relevant authorities, both Israeli and Palestinian. It provides direct assistance to Palestinians whose houses have been demolished and people worst affected by the closure of towns and villages in the West Bank. The ICRC also supports Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) emergency medical services. As lead agency in this context, the ICRC is coordinating the relief response of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The ICRC backs the ongoing efforts of the Magen David Adom (MDA) and PRCS to spread know-ledge of IHL.

 
 Jordan  
 
 Personnel: 12 expatriate and 30 locally hired staff
 

In Jordan, the ICRC focuses on visiting detainees in order to monitor their conditions of detention, on restoring family links between civilians separated by conflict and on promoting international humanitarian law and the Fundamental Principles throughout Jordanian society, in close cooperation with the Jordan National Red Crescent

Society. The delegation provides logistical support for ICRC relief operations in Israel, the occupied territories and the autonomous territories and in Iraq.

 
 
 Lebanon  
 
 Personnel: 2 expatriate and 13 locally hired staff
 

Since the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, the ICRC has focused on monitoring the situation of civilians living in the former occupied zone, in particular that of former refugees returning from Israel, to where they had fled at the end of the occupation, and restoring and maintaining links between members of families still separ ated. Pending full authorization from the Lebanese authorities, the ICRC aims to start visiting detainees in Lebanon in accordance with its standard procedures. Promotion of international humanitarian law and cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross Society in emergency preparedness (first aid) and mine awareness are other important aspects of ICRC activities in the country.

 
 
 Syria  
 
 Personnel: 1 expatriate and 7 locally hir ed staff
 

The ICRC in Syria acts as a neutral intermediary in humanitarian matters for the Syrian inhabitants of the Syrian Golan Heights occupied by Israel, who are protected by the Fourth Geneva Convention. In particular, it facilitates the passage of Syrian nationals, mainly students and pilgrims, who have to cross the area of separation to complete their studies in Syrian universities or perform their religious obligations, and it restores and maintains links between family members separated as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The delegation also works to promote knowledge of international humanitarian law and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in close cooperation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

 
 
 Yemen  
 
 Personnel: 4 expatriate and 15 locally hired staff
 

In Yemen, the ICRC concentrates on activities for detainees, in particular on bringing about improvements in their conditions of detention, with a special focus on vulnerable groups, namely women, minors and the mentally ill. A second priority is to spread knowledge of international humanitarian law (IHL) and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in cooperation with the Yemen Red Crescent Society, and to support the national committee in promoting the adoption of national measures to implement IHL.

 
 
 
 Regional delegations and other offices  
 
 Kuwait  
 
 Covering: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates

 Personnel: 4 expatriate and 12 hired staff
 

The ICRC presence in the region is linked to conflict and aims at settling the humanitarian issues still outstanding from the Gulf war, but also issues regarding detention in Kuwait and Qatar. In addition, the ICRC focuses on communication strategies with a view to promoting International Humanitarian Law and its own role as a neutral intermediary in situations of armed conflict and internal violence. Reinforcing cooperation with the National Red Crescent Societies of the region is another priority.

 
 
 Tunis  
 
 Covering: Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco/Western Sahara, and Tunisia

 Personnel: 6 expatriate and 10 hired staff
 

The Tunis regional delegation fo cuses on the humanitarian issues arising from the aftermath of the Western Sahara conflict. It also visits detainees in Algeria and has developed its cooperation with the Algerian Red Crescent Society, which provides assistance to women and children who are victims of violence. The ICRC’s work in the countries of the Maghreb also involves promotion of international humanitarian law, spreading knowledge of ICRC activities, and humanitarian diplomacy.