West Africa - Emergency Assistance - ICRC 2015

March 2015 - Security and displacement throughout the region of West Africa have continued into 2015. Across the Sahel insecurity and conflict have displaced 2.8 million people a drastic increase from 1.6 million in January 2014. Spiraling violence in north-eastern Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to force people from their homes and undermines livelihoods compounding the needs of the displaced people and their host communities in Nigeria Chad Niger and Cameroon. The situation in northern Mali remains highly unstable preventing the return of internally displaced people and refugees and the restoration of essential services. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is at the front-line of humanitarian emergencies working to help people affected by armed conflict and disasters in conflict zones. With the support of DFATD and other donors the ICRC is protecting and improving the health and living conditions of crisis-affected people in the region. Project activities include: (1) providing emergency food and essential household items; (2) providing protection in the event of new or increased conflict; (3) providing basic shelter; (4) providing clean water sanitation and hygiene; (5) providing access to medical care; and (6) promoting international humanitarian law with national authorities and weapons-bearers.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to protection food assistance health services livelihood support and other essential services to populations affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence in affected countries; (2) increased access to physical rehabilitation and orthopedic services for amputees; (3) increased access to interventions designed to promote greater self-sufficiency and reduce negative coping strategies; and (4) improved treatment and living conditions of detainees. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.