ICRC News 51 / 23.12.96
ICRC EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR 1997
After the profound shock and sorrow of hearing that six of its delegates had been murdered in Novye Atagi, Chechnya, on Tuesday, 17 December 1996, the ICRC owes it to the hundreds of thousands of victims all over the world to continue its efforts to relieve their suffering. Considerable thought will have to be given to analysing new ways of carrying out humanitarian operations, but in the meantime the ongoing operations in 25 conflict zones and 20 regional delegations need to be supported and financed. The appeals for 1997 were accordingly launched by ICRC President Cornelio Sommaruga in Geneva on 18 December 1996: a total of 142 million Swiss francs (107 million US dollars) is requested for the headquarters budget, and of 618 million Swiss francs (465 million US dollars) for the field budget. The field budget shows an increase of 8% compared to the initial budget for 1996, without taking possible operations in Zaire into account.
The largest proportion of the field budget is assigned to Africa, with 236 million Swiss francs (38% of the budget), followed by Eastern Europe and Central Asia with 128 million (20%) and Asia with 110 million (18%). The operations with the highest budget for 1997 are those in Rwanda with 67 million Swiss francs, followed by Afghanistan with 61 million and the former Yugoslavia with 57 million. In terms of specific activities the budget is divided up as follows: 29% relief activities, 26% tracing and detention-related activities and 15% health-related activities.
The headquarters appeal concerns two major areas: operational support for emergency activities conducted in the field and long-term activities aimed at ensuring greater protection for conflict victims; these tasks are backed up by administrative and communication activities. There are 665 permanent staff working at ICRC headquarters today.
Further information: Tony Burgener, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2317
Financial problems in 1996 54 million Swiss francs still lacking
The shortage of funds for the current year is a source of concern for the ICRC. A total of 54 million Swiss francs (41 million US dollars) is still needed to close the 1996 accounts without a deficit. Moreover, pledges amounting to 60 million francs and as yet unpaid still have to be honoured. If donors do not respond immediately to close the gap, the ICRC will most probably face an unprecedented financial situation at the end of the year.
ICRC activities from January to September 1996
Detention: over 100,000 prisoners visited in more than 1,500 places of detention in 52 countries.
Tracing: More than 1.3 million Red Cross messages forwarded between relatives separated by conflict; more than 4, 000 persons reunited with their families.
Relief supplies: more than 45,000 tonnes of relief supplies (food, clothing, blankets, tents, etc.) distributed.
Medical aid: medical supplies worth more than 18 million Swiss francs distributed.
Surgery: more than 7,000 patients admitted to six ICRC hospitals in Africa, Asia and Chechnya, where more than 14,500 surgical operations were performed. Two other ICRC-supported hospitals received medical supplies and technical assistance for more than 6,000 patients and carried out almost 10,000 surgical operations.
Assistance for the disabled: Involvement in 21 prosthetic/orthotic projects in 10 countries where more than 3,000 amputees were fitted with prostheses, while more than 1,000 people received orthopaedic appliances.
Should you require any information during the 24-25 December, please contact duty press officer Tony Burgener on ++ 4179 202 3670 (mobile phone) or from the 28 December to the 1st January, please contact duty press officer Kim Gordon-Bates on ++ 41 79 50 03 (mobile phone)