Southern Africa - ICRC Appeal 2010

October 5 2010 - The Southern Africa region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters (floods and cyclones) and debilitating rates of HIV/AIDS infection. Key regional issues include the recent displacement of thousands of Zimbabweans in South Africa. The region has also experienced an increase in voluntary repatriation of Congolese and Rwandan refugees from Zambia; and an increase in forced return of refugees in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo due to forced expulsions between the two governments. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial neutral and independent organization that draws its mandate from the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols of 1977. The ICRC’s primary mission is to help to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence. In 2010 the ICRC focuses on meeting the emergency needs of vulnerable populations in Southern Africa. Activities include the provision of basic health services and water and strengthening the capacity of national societies to help address the needs of refugees in the region.