• an overview of the ICRC's operations in 2003
• a description of its presence in the field
• a breakdown of its operational organization
• a description of its target populations
• a concise description of its programmes
• a brief description of its 63 delegations
• overall budget amounts
• overall budget and budgets by programme for each delegation

In mid-1999, almost 1,800 million people were living in countries at severe risk of, affected by or emerging from armed conflicts. The "complexity" of these emergencies does not end when a formal cease fire is signed or political elections are held. On the contrary, the transition is a particularly difficult and fragile situation. For instance, in Afghanistan like in other post-conflict countries,

S/2002/1430
Letter dated 30 December 2002 from the Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia addressed to the President of the Security Council

The talks being held since 15 October under the auspices of the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) "will break for the Christmas holidays and the Kenyan elections

The Landmine Update is the International Campaign to Ban Landmines quarterly newsletter. This edition is followed by a calendar of upcoming events (available online). To date, 130 countries have ratified the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, and an additional 16 have signed it. The most recent accessions are Afghanistan (11 September), Comoros (19 September) and Central African Republic (8 November), while recent ratifications include Cameroon (19 September) and Gambia (23 September).

"Hunger threatens the lives of millions of people, most of them women and children. We are facing a disaster of such proportions that we have to do everything we possibly can to turn the tide," Van Ardenne announced.

Whenever a disaster of this kind occurs,

These are figures one might expect from a country ravaged by over a decade of war. But they would probably be even worse if it were not for a nationwide network of 49 Red Crescent clinics, which represent the only reliable source of basic health care for thousands of Somalis.