North Africa - Emergency Assistance - International Committee of the Red Cross 2015

March 2015 – The International Committee of the Red Cross’s (ICRC) primary mission is to help protect the lives and dignity of people affected by war and internal violence. The ICRC provides emergency assistance and prevents further suffering by promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. In North Africa other than the Saharawi refugee situation which will enter its 39th year in 2015 most refugees and asylum-seekers reside in urban areas. North Africa is also a transit area for hundreds of thousands of migrants asylum seekers and refugees including people fleeing the Syrian conflict. The ongoing unrest in Libya has also created greater protection needs in the North Africa region. It is estimated that two million people have been affected by the conflict and more than 150 000 people including third-country nationals have sought refuge abroad mainly in Tunisia and Egypt. With the support of DFATD and that of other donors the ICRC is contributing to improve living conditions and protection of conflict -affected people in North Africa. Project activities include: (1) protecting and assisting those who are vulnerable to abuse during hostilities by providing comprehensive hospital care and access to water and restoration of livelihoods; (2) providing National Societies with technical expertise in areas such as promotion of international humanitarian law restoring family links and health care provision in situations of armed conflict and violence; (3) ensuring that international humanitarian law is respected in the treatment of civilians not taking part in hostilities as well as for detainees; and (4) providing protection including the prevention of sexual violence.

The expected immediate outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to protection health services livelihood support and other essential services to populations affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence in affected countries; and (2) increased operational capacities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.