On Friday (18 October), ICRC Head of Delegation in Syria Magne Barth said: "It's a very very simple appeal. I appeal from my heart in the name of humanity, on behalf of the families to release our colleagues safe and sound and unharmed."
Baghdad (ICRC) - As fighting intensifies around the Iraqi city of Mosul, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is increasing its presence in the field, in order to respond swiftly to new humanitarian needs.
Every day millions of people worldwide wage virtual war through video games. Children and adults, including enlisted soldiers and budding recruits, are enthralled by this kind of 'militainment' - war packaged for recreational consumption.
Many more Syrians could receive medical attention and other vital aid if the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent had full access to all areas of the country, says Magne Barth, head of the ICRC's Damascus delegation.
On Wednesday 11 September ICRC President Peter Maurer called on the international community to work together to ensure that assistance reaches people in dire need in Syria.
On Thursday (29 August) ICRC spokesperson Dibeh Fakhr said:"The situation in Syria is a human tragedy with alarming consequences. The human suffering has reached unprecedented levels and there appears to be no end in sight. The humanitarian needs are immense. There are acute shortages of vital medical supplies, food and water especially in areas that have been sealed off since months now and to which the ICRC and Syria Arab Red Crescent has not been given access.
Seven years after the end of the conflict between the Maoists and the government of Nepal more than 1,360 people are still reported missing by their families.
Thousands of people have taken refuge in Niger following fighting between the security forces and armed groups in north-eastern Nigeria close to the border with Niger.
During an official visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, held high level talks with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Simon Peres, and Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. During these talks, he focused on the need for a new balance to be found between Israel's security concerns and the impact of occupation on the lives of Palestinians.
The crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) is affecting hundreds of thousands across the country. People are desperate as armed violence continues and there is frequent looting. But despite the severity of the problems in CAR, this crisis has largely neglected been by both the international community and media.
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