ICRC

In recent weeks in South Sudan, intercommunal clashes and repeated incidents on the northern border with Sudan have affected thousands of civilians. 

Head of South Sudan delegation Melker Mabeck explains how our teams are responding across the country, concentrating on access to healthcare and assistance to the the over 200,000 Sudanese refugees currently living in the country. 

An example of the emergency assistance delivered in the field is the response to fighting in Jonglei state, one of the country's most innaccessible, where the delegation is deploying a mobile surgical team to treat the wounded and sick.

Putting separated families in contact with each others is a priority. Since last November, working in close cooperation with the South Sudan Red Cross, tracing teams have helped nearly 1,500 people separated from other members of their families get back in touch with their relatives through Red Cross messages and satellite phone calls.

The North Kivu capital of Goma has seen intense fighting between rebels and Congolese troops over the last few days, raising fears about the welfare of civilians caught in and displaced by the fighting.

Annick Bouvier, ICRC spokesperson in the DR Congo, describes a city deeply affected by violence. ICRC assistance and protection teams are responding to the most urgent needs in spite of a significant security challenges, with a focus on health care and water provision.

Ms. Bouvier explains how in the last three days, delegates were able to recover mortal remains, support local health structures with medicines and surgical kits and remind parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Following the June 2012 outbreak of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, our Rangoon-based delegation rapidly set up a permanent presence in Sittwe, the state capital.

Working closely with the Myanmar Red Cross, we are today evacuating the sick and wounded who cannot get to health facilities on their own and giving first aid to the injured.

Joint ICRC-Myanmar Red Cross teams are also working in camps for displaced persons, renovating sanitation and supplying clean water for thousands.

Georges Paclisanu, who heads our delegation in Myanmar, recently returned from Sittwe. He describes our efforts to provide access to healthcare in areas where, despite communal tensions, ICRC-Myanmar Red Cross teams have been accepted and have developped a significant assistance response.