| Focus on key humanitarian issues Section highlighting some of the main issues on the humanitarian agenda with which the ICRC and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement are involved: mines, biotechnology, role of the private sector, women in war, the protective emblem and others. 6-3-2006 8 March: meeting the specific needs of women in war The ICRC's field activities increasingly reflect the organization's commitment to provide an appropriate response to the specific needs of women exposed to armed conflict. Often, only female aid workers can talk to these women and therefore understand their reality. The presence of both male and female staff on ICRC teams ensures a diversity of views and makes it possible to act in greater proximity to all victims of war and armed conflict. (Focus) | 17-8-2004 The future of independent humanitarian action The decision by Médecins Sans Frontières to withdraw from Afghanistan, prompted by the killing of five employees in June, has again highlighted the new challenges and threats facing independent humanitarian action. In a speech delivered earlier this year, the ICRC's Director of Operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, considered the issue. See also photo gallery on independent humanitarian action (Focus) | 26-8-2005 The missing - helping families to know the truth Ahead of the International Day of the Disappeared (30 August), the ICRC called for renewed attention to one of the most serious humanitarian problems caused by armed conflict - the issue of missing persons and the suffering of their families.(Focus) | 30-3-2004 Biotechnology, weapons and humanity Developments in biotechnology have the potential to benefit people world-wide. Yet they may also be put to hostile uses as weapons of war or weapons which spread terror. The ICRC initiative on Biotechnology, Weapons and Humanity was prompted by the need to reduce the risk that biotechnology will be used to the detriment of humanity.(Focus) |
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