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COTE D'IVOIRE: MORE THAN 9,000 DISPLACED PERSONS RECEIVE ASSISTANCE: In recent weeks the ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Cote d'Ivoire have provided emergency assistance for more than 9,000 displaced persons gathered in four locations in the region of Bas-Cavally (south-west).
JORDAN: Humanitarian Law Week FOR the Armed Forces: >From 1 to 8 November, in coordination with the General Headquarters of the Jordanian Armed Forces, the ICRC delegation in Amman held a series of seminars on international humanitarian law for about 400 commanders, officers and NCOs from Jordan and other Arab, Asian and European countries.
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COTE D'IVOIRE MORE THAN 9,000 DISPLACED PERSONS RECEIVE ASSISTANCE
In recent weeks the ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Cote d'Ivoire have provided emergency assistance for more than 9,000 displaced persons gathered in four locations in the region of Bas-Cavally (south-west). In early November a land dispute sparked clashes between communities of indigenous Kroumen, who are in the majority in this region, and ethnic Lobi and Dangare immigrants. Over 15,000 farmers and agricultural labourers, mainly from Burkina Faso, were forced to flee their homes. Nearly two thirds of the those receiving assistance are children.
The assistance is being distributed on the spot by the Cote d'Ivoire Red Cross. It includes tarpaulins, mats and blankets and is meant to provide shelter, one of the most pressing needs. Five tonnes of food have been delivered as well. The food aid, which is sufficient to last 10 days, will be renewed if necessary.
A large number of displaced persons have sought refuge in Tabou and Grabo, the region's main cities. In the absence of any official arrangements for receiving these people, the local branches of the Cote d'Ivoire Red Cross have established a presence in four locations. From these transit centres, several thousand people have already returned to Burkina Faso. Other displaced persons are currently concentrated in the region's urban areas.
Further information: Juan Martinez, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 22 730 22 81; mobile phone: ++41 79 217 32 17
JORDAN Humanitarian Law Week FOR the Armed Forces
>From 1 to 8 November, in coordination with the General Headquarters of the Jordanian Armed Forces, the ICRC delegation in Amman held a series of seminars on international humanitarian law for about 400 commanders, officers and NCOs from Jordan and other Arab, Asian and European countries. The seminars, which took place at several military colleges and institutes, included presentations on the responsibilities of commanders in times of armed conflict and on how officers should apply the Code of Conduct for Combatants when preparing for and conducting military operations.
The first seminar, which was held at the Royal Staff and Command College, lasted two days. Others were subsequently held at the Royal War College, the highest military institution for staff commanders, and at Martyr King Abdallah Bin Al Hussein Infantry School. Talks were also given to a group of female recruits of various ranks and to officers from the General Intelligence Directorate.
The General Headquarters of the Jordanian Armed Forces provided its full support to ensure the success of these activities, in accordance with its wish to further enhance its cooperation with the ICRC so as to incorporate the Code of Conduct and the principles of humanitarian law into training programmes at all levels of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
Further information: Mu'in Kassis, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2547 Hassan Abaza, ICRC Amman, tel. ++96 26 5688 645
During the weekend of 27 - 28 November 1999, for all information please call the press officer on duty Chris Bowers, on ++ 41 22 779 33 22 or ++ 41 79 217 32 31