ICRC News 03 / 25-Jan-01


Philippines
Aid continues for displaced

While attention was focused on the dramatic events in the capital Manila
last week, Red Cross relief operations were continuing for the thousands of
displaced persons in central Mindanao.

Between 15 and 22 January, relief consisting of rice, beans and oil as well
as essential non-food items was delivered in a joint operation by staff
from the Philippine National Red Cross and the ICRC to 14,000 persons
living in 14 different camps. 

The distributions were part of a general programme for some 70,000 persons
who had fled their homes last summer as fighting raged between the armed
forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. As part of the programme,
water and sanitation work is being done to improve living conditions in the
camps and prevent the spread of disease.

Describing the camps he visited recently as part of an initial survey of
needs, relief delegate Scott Gardiner said that the material conditions
were no worse than in other such camps he had visited. "But there is this
sense of despondency and uncertainty among the people which is a striking
feature of refugee and displaced camps the world over."

For further information: Amanda Williamson, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++ 41 22 730
2678 


Georgia/Abkhazia
Abkhaz woman reunited with daughter

Olga (not her real name) is one of thousands of elderly people in Abkhazia
for whom survival has been a daily challenge ever since the region was
stricken by conflict and economic crisis over seven years ago. Living
conditions have been particularly harsh for this 70-year-old woman of
Russian origin because she has had no relatives living near her since the
outbreak of the conflict, when her two children left the country. Having no
means of support has made her dependent on humanitarian aid just to stay
alive.

In August 2000, Olga contacted ICRC delegates and asked them to help her to
leave for Greece to live with her daughter. Her request was forwarded to
the Hellenic Red Cross, who were able to get in touch with the daughter and
settle formalities with the Greek authorities. Six months later, it was
time for Olga to depart. Without the ICRC's help, however, her journey - a
simple matter under normal circumstances - would not even have begun. It
was the organization's delegates who not only took care of administrative
procedures for departure from Georgia, but also helped Olga get through the
unsafe Gali area under the protection of the red cross emblem. They then
helped her to cross the bridge that spans the river Inguri and thus
connects Abkhazia with the Zugdidi area, the two being separated by
conflict. A final hurdle was cleared in Tbilisi, where Olga received the
Georgian passport she needed to leave the country. It was not until she was
aboard the airplane that Olga could really begin to think about her new
life. At Athens airport, she fell into the arms of her waiting daughter.

Olga's case is not unique, and not everyone has the good fortune to be
reunited with their loved ones so easily, or even to discover where they
are. An important part of the ICRC's work in the Caucasus is to restore
contact between family members separated by conflict and to help them
reunite. Since 1993, the ICRC has handled 490,178 Red Cross messages
between separated family members and arranged for the reunification of 407
families.

Further information: Vincent Lusser, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 22 730 24 58


During the weekend of 27 - 28  January 2001, for all information please
call the press officer on duty Juan Martinez, on (mobile) 41 79 217 32 17