Southern Africa - International Committee of the Red Cross 2011

September 2011 - The Southern Africa Region particularly Madagascar and Mozambique are highly vulnerable to natural disasters (floods and cyclones) and debilitating rates of HIV/AIDS infection. While most of the region remains stable tens of thousands of refugees remain and the effects of the 2009 global financial crisis are still palpable. Possible elections in the region could also result in violence and increased population movements. In 2011 the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) aims to focus on meeting the emergency needs of vulnerable populations in Mozambique Malawi Namibia Zambia and Zimbabwe. The objective of this operation is to save lives by addressing the basic needs of vulnerable populations in Southern Africa through improving access to humanitarian services the promotion of International Humanitarian Law and strengthening cooperation with National Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies to strengthen their capacity to address unmet needs.