Fighting in Syria has affected tens of thousands of people.

Béatrice Mégevand-Roggo, head of ICRC Middle East operations, announces a $27 million appeal to our donors that will allow us and our Syrian Red Crescent partners to expand humanitarian operations within Syria as well as in Jordan and Lebanon.

Syria

April 25, 2012 by Simon Schorno

Syria - Syrian Red Crescent first-aid responder killed

One Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer was killed and three others were injured while on duty on yesterday.

Mohammed al-Khadraa was a first-aid responder working in the city of Douma, near Damascus. He was shot and killed in a vehicle clearly marked with the red crescent emblem.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the ICRC condemn the lack of respect for life-saving medical services in Syria.

"We are saddened and extremely shocked by the death of Mohammed al-Khadraa," said Dr Abdul Rahman al-Attar, the president of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. "This is the third fatal incident involving the Red Crescent in less than eight months."

The aim of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross is to bring life-saving assistance to those in need on a fully impartial and neutral basis. This humanitarian work must be respected by all and at all times.

April 05, 2012 by Simon Schorno

Syrian authorities agree on greater role for ICRC

Following a Damascus visit by ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger, Syrian authorities have agreed to an expended ICRC presence in the country.

"This means that we will have to rapidly build up our human resources and logistical capacity in Syria," said Mr Kellenberger in Damascus.

A procedure on how to trigger the humanitarian pause requested by the ICRC for areas affected by fighting was also agreed upon.

Procedures for visits to places of detention were also agreed upon and an ICRC visit to people held in Aleppo Central Prison should start soon.

Middle East

Syria

March 19, 2012 by Simon Schorno

Syria update - March 19th

The president of the ICRC, Jakob Kellenberger, met today with the Russian minister of foreign affairs, Sergei Lavrov, to discuss the humanitarian situation in Syria and the aid operations of the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. At the meeting, the ICRC received positive indications of support for its operational priorities and for its proposal that there be a two-hour cessation in the fighting every day to allow assistance to reach those who need it. The meeting also emphasized the importance of neutral and independent humanitarian action in Syria today.

Middle East

Syria

Update

March 19, 2012 by Simon Schorno

Dispatch - Treating the wounded in Abyan, south Yemen

Earlier this month, an Aden-based ICRC team spent two days in Ja'ar, in Abyan governorate, to treat persons wounded during fighting between Yemeni forces and Ansar Al Sharia.

The delegates and ICRC field officers who made that visit possible also provided medical materials to field health posts operating in the area.

Dr. Ken Barrand, a veteran ICRC surgeon, was part of the team who visited Ja'ar. He speaks about the importance of that visit, the need for the ICRC in Aden and Yemen at large to engage with all parties to the conflict and the issues faced by healthcare workers here.

Fighting is ongoing in Abyan governorate.

March 19, 2012 by Simon Schorno

ICRC president in Moscow to discuss Syrian humanitarian situation

The president of the ICRC, Jakob Kellenberger, is on his way to Moscow for a one-day visit during which he will meet Russian foreign affairs minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday 19 March.

Mr Kellenberger is visiting Moscow to discuss the ICRC's concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in Syria and to explain the work the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent have been doing since the beginning of the unrest.

This visit takes place against the background of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria.

“The humanitarian situation in Homs, Idlib, Hama, Deraa and other areas affected by the unrest remains extremely difficult and could deteriorate further. People have been suffering for several months in some areas, with women and children particularly affected,” said ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger.

Europe & Central Asia

March 13, 2012 by Simon Schorno

Dispatch - One year in Sa'ada governorate, north Yemen

I met with Ishfaq Khan in Sana'a, on the last day of his one-year mission as head of sub-delegation in Sa'ada, north Yemen.

During his tenure, the ICRC assisted thousands of people in Sa'ada governorate amidst clashes between Houtis, local tribes and the government.

As Mr. Khan reflects on a year spent in one of the world's most challenging contexts, the humanitarian situation remains precarious for many in and around Sa'ada.

Middle East

Yemen

Dispatch

March 07, 2012 by Simon Schorno

From the field - More Syrian refugees cross into Lebanon

Syrian families have sought refuge in Lebanon since violence broke out in their home country last March. There has been a sharp increase of arrivals in recent days, with many families fleeing Homs now arriving in the Bekaa valley, in Lebanon's northwest.

The Lebanese government has responded to the influx of Syrian refugees by mandating its High Relief Commission to assist families in the country's north. However, the commission does not have the mandate to operate in the Bekaa. There, incoming refugees are mostly left to the care of host communities. ICRC Lebanon is now supporting about 350 refugee families and their host communities in the Bekaa and stands ready to expend its action if more Syrian familiesdecide to cross the border.

March 05, 2012 by Simon Schorno

Syria update - Growing needs outside of Baba Amr

Today, joint ICRC-Syrian Red Crescent teams started distributing food, blankets and other aid in Al Tawzii and Al Insha'at, two Homs districts where many displaced Baba Amr residents are now staying.

The ICRC has not yet been able to enter Baba Amr. Negotiations for a daily two-hour ceasefire to allow humanitarian convoys in and out of areas affected by the violence are ongoing.

Many Baba Amr residents fled the district in recent days and weeks. Most are staying with relatives and friends elsewhere in Homs, including in the Al Tawzii and Al Insha'at districts. Most stores throughout the city remain close. Bread and other essential items are expensive and it is increasingly difficult for host families and their guests to cope.

Middle East

Syria

Update

March 02, 2012 by Simon Schorno

Syria update - Worrying situation despite ICRC efforts

As head of ICRC operations for the Near and Middle East, Béatrice Mégevand-Roggo has been actively involved in humanitarian negotiations with Syrian authorities and opposition groups to bring aid to Homs and evacuate the wounded and sick out of the Baba Amr district.

Here, Ms. Mégevand-Roggo provides an update of the humanitarian situation in Baba Amr and explains the challenges faced by the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) as teams in the field continue to seek access to victims of the violence.

Middle East

Syria

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Appealing for 27 million dollars to help Syrians

Syria - Syrian Red Crescent first-aid responder killed

Syrian authorities agree on greater role for ICRC

Syria update - March 19th

Dispatch - Treating the wounded in Abyan, south Yemen

ICRC president in Moscow to discuss Syrian humanitarian situation

Dispatch - One year in Sa'ada governorate, north Yemen

From the field - More Syrian refugees cross into Lebanon

Syria update - Growing needs outside of Baba Amr

Syria update - Worrying situation despite ICRC efforts

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