Eritrea: ICRC priorities in 2003
31-01-2003 Operational Update
Overview of ICRC's operations, focussing on the humanitarian consequences of the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
In 2003, ICRC activities in Eritrea will focus on four main areas of concern, addressing unresolved issues arising from the armed conflict with Ethiopia. Three of these concern the application of the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions, for which the ICRC will:
follow up with the Eritrean authorities individual cases of presumed or alleged POWs not visited by the ICRC; by the end of 2002, 1,067 Ethiopian POWs, 5,055 Ethiopian civilian internees, 2,067 Eritrean POWs and 1,086 Eritrean civilian internees had been repatriated in a series of operations under ICRC auspices.
continue to monitor the treatment and living conditions of people of Ethiopian origin detained in Eritrea and make representations to the relevant authorities on their behalf; the ICRC currently visits some 160 people of Ethiopian origin detained in Eritrea.
keep making efforts to ensure that the rights of people of Ethiopian origin still living in Eritrea, regarding their living conditions and possible repatriation, are respected; it will ensure that both civilians and detainees are offered Red Cross message (RCM) and tracing services in order to re-establish and maintain contact with their families.
Aid for the displaced
An ICRC survey has found that the majority of some 64,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) still in camps will not return home until the physical demarcation of the border area is finalized, the infra structure rebuilt, mines cleared and procedures for the movement of populations clarified. A full-scale return of IDPs is, therefore, unlikely before the end of 2003.
As a result, the ICRC will maintain its role as the main organization providing them with non-food assistance (shelter, water, household items). The ICRC will also continue to help to bring some degree of normality back to war-damaged towns and villages by reconstructing water systems and basic health care facilities.
Promotion of the law
Another priority for ICRC will be to continue promoting the national implementation of the Geneva Conventions by urging the adoption of relevant laws, and disseminating international humanitarian law to the armed forces and the police.
In its field work the ICRC is assisted by the " Red Cross Society of Eritrea " (RCSE) in distributing RCMs and relief aid and ensuring the safe transit of Eritreans and Ethiopians across the border. To strengthen the society in the core areas of tracing, dissemination and conflict preparedness and emergency response, ICRC support in 2003 will emphasize staff training, making the ambulance service sustainable and increasing the volunteer base. RCSE is a society awaiting formal recognition and admission to the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement
The ICRC coordinates its activities with the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC), UN specialized agencies and more than 50 NGOs, both local and international.