** SHORT MENU....
RUSSIAN FEDERATION / NORTHERN CAUCASUS: RELIEF FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN DAGHESTAN: The two earthquakes that shook the western district of Kizliar in the republic of Daghestan on 31 January and 2 February 1999 severely damaged two villages, forcing nearly 1,000 inhabitants to flee their homes.
KENYA: SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE: As part of its ongoing effort to alleviate the plight of hundreds of amputees throughout Kenya, the ICRC in mid-February donated equipment and materials worth some US$ 10,000 to the Kenya Medical Training College's faculty of orthopaedic technology.
PERU: ICRC TAKES PART IN FIRST COURSE ON LAW OF WAR FOR ARMED FORCES: >From 15 to 19 February three ICRC delegates served as instructors in the first course on international humanitarian law to be held by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Peruvian armed forces.
** STORIES IN FULL...
RUSSIAN FEDERATION / NORTHERN CAUCASUS RELIEF FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN DAGHESTAN
The two earthquakes that shook the western district of Kizliar in the republic of Daghestan on 31 January and 2 February 1999 severely damaged two villages, forcing nearly 1,000 inhabitants to flee their homes. Some have found refuge with relatives and friends while others are sheltering in tents or greenhouses. With direct ICRC support, the local branch of the Russian Red Cross last week distributed food parcels, plastic sheeting, jerrycans, blankets, candles, and gas and kerosene stoves to homeless villagers.
There were reports of another earthquake in the same area on 22 February. Further assistance will be provided if the need arises.
These relief operations are carried out as part of the ICRC's cooperation programme with the local branches of the Russian Red Cross in the northern Caucasus, the main objective being to prepare these organizations to respond to emergencies.
Since 1996 the ICRC office in Khasavyurt, Daghestan has been staffed by national employees while overall ICRC activities in the northern Caucasus are coordinated out of Nalchik, in Kabardino-Balkaria.
Further information: Suzanne Berger, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++ 41 22 730 2307
KENYA SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE
As part of its ongoing effort to alleviate the plight of hundreds of amputees throughout Kenya, the ICRC in mid-February donated equipment and materials worth some US$ 10,000 to the Kenya Medical Training College's faculty of orthopaedic technology.
The gift comprises a full set of tools and machines as well as enough raw materials to produce 100 light-weight, low-cost and recyclable artificial limbs made of polypropylene.
Klaus Spreyermann, deputy head of the ICRC's Nairobi delegation, noted that the organization's physical rehabilitation service, set up 20 years previously, had a two-pronged approach that provided both material support for limb-fitting workshops and training for their staff.
"We are certain that the technologists' newly learnt skills will be put to good use", said Anastasia Kimeu, acting deputy principal at the Medical Training College.
With a view to the future, the ICRC has also provided the college with training opportunities. Two of its technologists recently completed a one-month course at the organization's physical rehabilitation centre in Addis Ababa. The ICRC programme of material support and training has also been extended to Kenyatta National Hospital, the Kangemi Rehabilitation Centre and the Kikuyu Hospital Ortho-rehabilitation Centre.
Further information: Nina Galbe or Bertha Owuor, ICRC Nairobi, tel. ++2542 728 387
PERU ICRC TAKES PART IN FIRST COURSE ON LAW OF WAR FOR ARMED FORCES
>From 15 to 19 February three ICRC delegates served as instructors in the first course on international humanitarian law to be held by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Peruvian armed forces. The course, which took place in Lima, was attended by 36 high-ranking officers of the armed forces and the national police.
The principal aim was to make participants aware of the importance of knowing the law and to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the need to train instructors from among members of the Peruvian military and police forces.
During the closing ceremony, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff expressed his wish to step up cooperation with the ICRC in order to spread knowledge of the law of war and stressed the duty of military authorities to train instructors in this field.
Further information: Corinne Adam, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2224 Graziella Leite Piccolo, ICRC Lima, tel. ++511 460 2719
During the weekend of 27 - 28 February 1999, for all information please call the press officer on duty Corinne Adam, on (mobile) 41 79 202 36 80