The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which works in more than 80 countries all over the world, is asking its donors for 1.29 billion Swiss francs (1.05 billion euros, or 1.33 billion US dollars) to cover its activities in 2014.
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.
On World Red Cross Red Crescent Day (May 8) the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) marks 150 years since it was founded. Speaking from the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC, said, "This means 150 years of engagement in conflict in which ICRC brought assistance to millions of people."
After a full month of difficult negotiations between States at United Nations Headquarters in New York, delegates have not reached agreement to adopt a long-awaited and much needed Arms Trade Treaty.
Pierre Krahenbuhl, Director of Operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), confirms today the murder of its staff member Khalil Rasjed Dale, four months after his kidnapping in Quetta/Balochistan, Pakistan.
Women from opposing sides of the conflict unite to find their missing husbands. When the armed conflict in Nepal ended in 2006, some 17,000 people were dead and 3,100 reported to the ICRC as missing by their families. Today, while the fate of many is known, over 1,400 people are still on ICRC's list of missing persons.
Ten years on from the start of the present conflict in Afghanistan, fighting is widespread, particularly in rural areas. International troops are starting to withdraw. At the same time, security is further deteriorating and local armed actors are multiplying.
The floods that struck Pakistan in July 2010 went on for almost three months wiping out villages from the far north to the deep south of the country. Considered to be one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent times, around 11 million people were left homeless and 2,000 killed.
2010 to 2011 have seen a major series of crises which have affected ever increasing numbers of people. Demand for humanitarian assistance has reached an unprecedented level at a time when long term conflicts continue unabated, according to the ICRC's Annual Report launched in Geneva today (26th May 2011).
The ICRC in cooperation with the Japanese Red Cross Society has established a family links website to reunite families affected by the earthquake and the tsunami. This Public Service Announcement raises awareness of this vital service.