From Update N=B03 on ICRC activities in Iran/Iraq
In addition to playing an active role
in repatriating POWs still held as a result of the Iran-Iraq war, the ICRC
is strongly committed to pursuing its ongoing programmes linked to the
aftermath of both international conflicts. The ICRC has been present in
Iraq since the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980.
Since the Gulf war (1990-1991) and the subsequent imposition of sanctions, the ICRC has lent constant support to local engineers to maintain water treatment plants throughout the country, in order to provide clean water for the population. As well as running rehabilitation programmes for the war-disabled, the ICRC continues to deliver emergency medical supplies and non-food assistance to the victims of the ongoing hostilities in northern Iraq (to the wounded and persons displaced by the fighting) and, in the same region, visits detainees held for security reasons or as a result of internal violence.
The ICRC continues to act as neutral intermediary between Iraq and the Coalition States in an effort to settle the humanitarian issues still unresolved after the Gulf war.
Assessments of the increasing humanitarian needs in Iraq linked to the consequences of the sanctions are currently being carried out. Another ICRC update will follow shortly, outlining the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's response to the present deteriorating situation.