ICRC News 44 / 05.11.97** SHORT MENU....
SOMALIA: AFTER THE FIGHTING, THE FLOODS: The exceptionally heavy rains that have hit Somalia in recent days are causing extensive flooding in the Juba valley, making the land unfit for farming and thus depriving much of the area's population of its only means of subsistence.
COLOMBIA: OAS HOSTAGES FREED BY THE ELN: Two officials of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the coordinator of the human rights programme of the Department of Antioquia were released on 1 November after having been held for nine days by a Colombian armed opposition group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).
COLOMBIA: COLOMBIAN AMBASSADORS AT ICRC HEADQUARTERS: At the initiative of Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICRC invited the country's ambassadors in Europe to a one-day seminar on the Red Cross and international humanitarian law in Geneva on 31 October last.
CAMPAIGN FOR LANDMINE VICTIMS: UEFA-ICRC PARTNERSHIP: The fundraising campaign launched by the ICRC and the Swiss Red Cross in aid of victims of anti-personnel mines will reach its peak in the coming weeks with a series of TV phone-ins, made possible by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
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SOMALIA AFTER THE FIGHTING, THE FLOODS
The exceptionally heavy rains that have hit Somalia in recent days are causing extensive flooding in the Juba valley, making the land unfit for farming and thus depriving much of the area's population of its only means of subsistence. Deeply concerned by the situation, the ICRC is carrying out surveys to find the best way of coming to the inhabitants' aid.
For many of those concerned this is only the latest in a series of misfortunes. Indeed, a considerable number of people have been displaced from around Baidoa as a result of the wave of violence which swept through the region between last May and August and is still continuing, though in an abated form.
The ICRC is currently carrying out a relief programme in the area for tens of thousands of people displaced by the fighting. Since early October clothes, blankets, plastic sheeting, cooking sets and jerrycans have been distributed to over 7,000 beneficiaries in the Lower Shabele region, south-west of Mogadishu; a further 20,000 displaced persons are receiving similar aid in the western Bay region, and there are plans to assist 10,000 others in the region of Bakol, to the north.
The delegate in charge of ICRC activities in the area, Raymond Desarzens, notes that the hostilities - and now the floods - have hit the most vulnerable members of the population, farmers and their families. "Most of them have lost the little they had", he said. "Worse still, they no longer have access to their land, which was their sole means of subsistence."
Further information: Josue Anselmo, ICRC Nairobi, tel. ++ 2542 716339
COLOMBIA OAS HOSTAGES FREED BY THE ELN
Two officials of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the coordinator of the human rights programme of the Department of Antioquia were released on 1 November after having been held for nine days by a Colombian armed opposition group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).
Manfredo Marroquin, a Guatemalan national, and Raul Martinez, a Chilean national, both OAS election monitors, and a Colombian official, Juan Diego Ardila, were abducted by the ELN as they were travelling by car near Medellin on 23 October. The conditions for their release were agreed upon after lengthy negotiations between the ELN and a mediation commission comprising representatives of the National Reconciliation Commission (CCN), the Antioquia Peace Commission and the government.
The ICRC took part in the negotiation process and carried out the logistical arrangements for the release of the hostages, who were taken away in three helicopters bearing the ICRC emblem. They were later transferred to the town of Santa Ana, in Antioquia, where they met members of the CCN and the international election-monitoring commission.
COLOMBIAN AMBASSADORS AT ICRC HEADQUARTERS
At the initiative of Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICRC invited the country's ambassadors in Europe to a one-day seminar on the Red Cross and international humanitarian law in Geneva on 31 October last. The participants, who were accompanied by Colombia's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, included a former President of the Republic, several former government ministers and three former commanders of the Colombian armed forces.
The seminar covered the following main topics: challenges facing the ICRC and its humanitarian action, differences between international humanitarian law and human rights law, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, ICRC operations for conflict victims, and promoting knowledge of international humanitarian law among the armed forces. The ICRC also voiced its concern regarding recent developments in the armed conflict in Colombia and the growing number of uncontrolled armed groups there, and restated the offer of its services in seeking a negotiated solution to the conflict.
The participants were received by ICRC President Cornelio Sommaruga and by the organization's Delegate General for the Americas and the head of its delegation in Colombia, who all stressed the ICRC's good working relations with the parties to the conflict and the fact that its delegates had unimpeded access to the entire territory of the country.
Further information: Ruben Ortega, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2454
CAMPAIGN FOR LANDMINE VICTIMS UEFA-ICRC PARTNERSHIP
The fundraising campaign launched by the ICRC and the Swiss Red Cross in aid of victims of anti-personnel mines will reach its peak in the coming weeks with a series of TV phone-ins, made possible by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Under an agreement reached by UEFA and the ICRC, the Red Cross in Switzerland and 20 other European countries will be able to broadcast, free of charge, a TV spot at half-time in UEFA Champions League matches to be played on 5 and 19 November and 3 December next. The spot appeals to viewers to support Red Cross work in 45 limb-fitting centres throughout the world. UEFA itself has pledged a major contribution to ICRC activities for amputees in Georgia and in one African country.
Viewers in Switzerland will be able to pledge their donations by calling the following number: 0848 80 80 10 [if the regulations of your newspaper/radio-TV station permit, please include the above phone number].
Further information: Tony Burgener, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2384
During the weekend of 8 - 9 November 1997, for all information please call the press officer on duty, Suzanne Berger, on (mobile) 41 79 217 3203