Focusing on armed groups as non-state actors engaged in violent action, this paper deals specifically with the role and responsibility of armed groups with regard to the implementation of international humanitarian and human rights standards in situations of internal armed conflict.

Addressing the need to develop effective strategies to enhance the receptivity and compliance of armed groups to international standards, various factors influencing the receptivity of armed groups are analysed, including military, political, economic and

Period covered: January - March, 2000

With the aim of helping relief agencies meet the special needs of older people in emergencies, these guidelines outline key approaches and actions to help the humanitarian community reduce the vulnerability associated with ageing, as well ways of enhancing the capacities and contribution of older people in emergencies.

In addition, wider issues relating to older people in humanitarian crises are explored, ranging from globally agreed principles of social and civil practice and global demographic changes, to the physical impact of the ageing process, common images and assumptions

These materials provide a useful tool for disaster managers engaged in planning and implementing relief operations for disaster victims. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Life threatening conditions and emergency indicators
- Site and shelter management guidelines
- Water and sanitation guidelines
- Medical management guidelines
- Food and nutrition guideline
- Capacities and characteristics of various aircraft
- Dosage and storage of vaccines

Generally agreed by most of the major relief