Occupied Palestinian Territories - International Committee of the Red Cross Appeal 2011

24 March 2011 - 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. The ICRC seeks to provide these victims with assistance and prevent further suffering by promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Significant protection concerns remain in the region where there are serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The daily lives of civilians are affected by violence destruction of property and inadequate water sanitation and medical services. With CIDA support the ICRC continues to advocate respect for international humanitarian law in particular the provision related to the protection of civilians. Together with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) the ICRC aims to maintain a strong emergency preparedness capacity to address humanitarian needs arising from a potential deterioration of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It provides assistance to the Palestinian population through the rehabilitation of wastewater and water supply facilities serving 500 000 people in Gaza and over 100 000 people in the West Bank. It also boosts the capacity of the PRCS to respond to emergencies by providing equipment training and medical supplies.