Women with missing relatives: recognizing the plight of those left behind

ICRC News release 08/38

For hundreds of thousands of women one of the worst consequences of armed conflict is the long and agonizing wait for news about their missing relatives
Since the vast majority of those who are killed or disappear are men, the burden of trying to find out what happened to them usually falls to the women in their family. On International Women's Day (8 March), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) highlights its commitment to easing the plight of these women.
Ashwak, an Iraqi refugee now living in Jordan, has lost track of her husband. "We looked everywhere. We went to all the prisons and the forensic institute. We searched for more than four months," she says. "We looked in all the places we could think of, but we always received the same answer - that he was not there. Yet we still have hope."
For those who are left behind like Ashwak, not knowing the fate of a relative is emotionally devastating. No matter how difficult it is to mourn the loss of a loved one, it is even more distressing not to be able to mourn at all. Many women spend years and their life’s savings on a fruitless search. For those trying to trace a missing child, husband or father, peace in their country does not automatically bring peace of mind, because abandoning their quest would seem like a betrayal.
The missing person is often the family’s breadwinner or the sole owner of property. Women who lack skills and training are therefore left destitute and are often poorly prepared to take his place. In addition, the undefined legal status of a missing person's spouse or descendants can have an effect on property rights, guardianship of children, inheritance and the possibility of remarriage.

"On International Women's Day this year we want to draw attention to the particular plight of women whose male relatives have gone missing", says Florence Tercier, who heads the ICRC's programme to help women in war. "Everything possible must be done to prevent disappearances and to provide the women left behind with the support they need."

All too often the parties to an armed conflict make little effort to shed light on the fate of missing persons. The ICRC, acting on behalf of the victims and their family, endeavours to remind the relevant authorities of their duty in this respect. Together with the National Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies it accepts tracing requests from families who have had no news from their relatives during armed conflicts and tries to locate these persons by all possible means. The ICRC issues attestations to wives of the missing to enable them to claim welfare assistance and compensation. Depending on the needs and situation of the women and girls left behind, it also offers material support and psychosocial counselling.

Women prove to be resourceful and courageous in contending with the challenges they face when a loved one goes missing. They found associations many of which are supported by the ICRC and fight to obtain information. In many countries, the mothers, wives, grandmothers, sisters and daughters of the disappeared continue to exert pressure on the authorities long after a conflict has ended. For example, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina organized demonstrations for many years to demand answers from the government about the fate of their missing children.

For further information, please contact:
Anna Schaaf, ICRC Geneva, tel +41 22 730 2271 or +41 79 217 3217

It is a good common cause why we are here for Red Cross

Solomon Islands Red Cross is a non profitable humanitarian organization different from non governmental organizations established by the Solomon Islands National Parliament in 1983 as an auxiliary to public authorities in humanitarian assistances.
SI Red Cross as one of the 186 Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies (National Societies) has things in common with other National Societies: Observe the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement (Movement) 7 Fundamental Principles, Code of Conduct in disaster response, Observe the Movement’s Constitution, and carrying out voluntary service to all corners of its territory without any consideration nationality, sex, race, political or religious beliefs. While on Voluntary activities there are four core activities (Promotion of International Humanitarian Law and Fundamental Principles, Health and Care in the communities, Disaster Preparedness, and Disaster response) you can find anywhere in the Red Cross/Red Crescent family.
As Red Cross people we are ought to observe the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality. Prior to those, the action principles of Impartiality (no regard is given according to race, sex, nationality, political or religious beliefs. Help is given priority to the level of need only). We are expected to be neutral and be independent from any action or behaviors which can jeopardize the hope and confidence the needy people have on the Red Cross.
Naturally to follow those action principles especially in circumstance directly affecting us is difficult. But please look up to your principles as the working tools to reduce human suffering- as stated in the Principle of Humanity.
Weather it be a health promotion in our communities, promotion of disaster risk reduction from Climate Change, campaign for blood donors to give blood to those need it to see another sunrise, someone saved by our knowledge sharing about the rules of war to those fighting, efforts we put to raise funds to support those lost all their belongings in fires, or actively involving the vulnerable communities in our disaster preparedness, this is another expression of our caring and love to humanity.

This inner fire is what Red Cross asks from us.

This is an address given by Niniu Oligao (SIRC Dissemination & Information officer) to the two new SIRC staff during their dissemination briefing today.

New Business Development & Fundraising officer met with Fund raising committee

Aloysius Erobaea (new Business Development & Fundraising officer) called some of his new fund raising team members today lunch hour. Those new committee members are part of the existing SI Red Cross fund raising committee.
In his address Erobaea said the aims of the meet were to firstly, introduce his action plan for the first half of 2008. These include annual fund raising events and major special fund raising activities like Dine & Dance Cruise to Ngella. Second, to set up a Fund raising activities taskforce to spear head the fund raising activities.

"For long this fund raising program did not have a taskforce to effectively implement the activities. So there is a need for that", he said.

Since just a week when he took up the office he said confirmation of his palnned activities will be circulated to his committee members soon.

Iraq: Millions struggle to cope with the impact of five years of war

ICRC News Release No. 08/46
19 March 2008

Geneva (ICRC)- Five years after the out break of the war in Iraq, the humanitarian situation in most of the country is among the most critical in the world, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a report issued today. Because of the conflict, millions of Iraqis have insufficient access to clean water, sanitation and health care. The current crisis is exacerbated by the lasting effects of previous armed conflicts and years of sanctions.

“Better security in some parts of Iraq must not distract attention from the continuing plight of millions of people who have essentially been left to their own devices,” said Béatrice Mégevand Roggo, the ICRC’s head of operations for the Middle East and North Africa. “Among them are displaced and refugee families, and those who have returned to their homes, children, elderly people, disabled people, households headed by women and families of detainees.”

Although security has improved in some parts of the country, Iraqis continue to be killed or injured on a daily basis in fighting and attacks. Civilians are often deliberately targeted, in complete disregard for the rules of international humanitarian law. In many families there is at least one person who is sick, injured, missing or detained, or who has been forced to flee from home and live far away.

Health care, water and sanitation services and electricity supplies remain largely inadequate. Hospitals lack qualified staff and basic drugs, and therefore struggle to provide suitable care for the injured. Many health-care facilities have not been properly maintained, and the care they provide is often too expensive for ordinary Iraqis.

The water supply has continued to deteriorate over the past year. Millions of people have been forced to rely on insufficient supplies of poor-qualitywater as water and sewage systems suffer from a lack of maintenance and a shortage of engineers.

The ICRC regularly provides medical assistance and drugs for hospitals and carries out important repairs to water and sanitation systems. However, this is far from sufficient to ensure that all Iraqis have adequate access to these basic services.

“To avert an even worse crisis, more attention must be paid to the everyday needs of Iraqis,” said Ms Mégevand Roggo. “Everyone should have regular access to health care, electricity, clean water and sanitation.” The ICRC also called on those involved in the conflict and those who can influence them to do everything possible to ensure that civilians, medical staff and medical facilities are not harmed. This is an obligation underinternational humanitarian law that applies to all parties to an armed conflict – both States and non-State actors.

For further information, please contact: Serge Marmy, ICRC Suva, tel. +330 21 56 or +992 1151 or visit our website: www.icrc.org