W elcome to the Nairobi Bulletin's secondedition this year. In this edition, we lookback over the first half of 2005 and take

stock of the Regional Delegation’s activities. Overthis period, we see a hive of activity, dealing withwhat we see as our permanent tasks, but also work-ing increasingly operationally.

The ICRC chose Nairobi as our hub for oper-ations in the region and, back in the 70's, estab-lished a Regional Delegation. A choice that hasallowed us ever since to react to the needs ofcivilian populations, victims of ongoing andemerging situations of armed violence and con-flict, enjoying the stability of Kenya in a troubledarea of the world.

Beyond purely operational terms, our presencein Kenya means employment for more than 800Kenyans and purchases from local companies inexcess of 1.2 Million US$ per month for reliefitems alone. With the exception of our GenevaHeadquarters, there is no location where the ICRCinteracts with local producers, traders and compa-nies more intensely than here in Kenya.

Kenya hosts the ICRC's largest Logistics Centre,providing material and other assistance to victimsin countries not only in the region but as far a fieldas Indonesia during the Tsunami disaster. In orderto allow our partners to understand the breadth ofactivities the Centre undertakes, the Delegationorganises familiarisation tours of the facility, and asyou will see in this edition of the Bulletin, we havehad many interested groups visiting the Centre,from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry

of Roads & Public Works, from the ImmigrationDepartment to Kenya Airways.

The Delegation enjoys excellent access to andrelationship with the Kenyan Government. Recently,I was able to meet with the Vice President, HisExcellency Hon. (Dr) Moody Awori E.B.S,E.G.H,MP, to discuss the Kenyan Government's involve-ment in and support for what turned out to be ahighly successful Commonwealth Meeting ofNational Governmental Committees on the imple-mentation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL),but also some of the activities that the Delegationis undertaking in Kenya.

The Kenyan National Committee onInternational Humanitarian Law (NACOI) isworking hard at getting Kenya to fulfil its obliga-tions under international IHL instruments and hasbeen invaluable in assisting with the organisationof the Commonwealth meeting.

The start of 2005 brought with it the end ofthe long war in southern Sudan and in May, theRegional Delegation said goodbye to the Sudanoffice it had hosted for many years. Currently, theICRC's Sudan sub-delegation in Lokichokkio,North-Western Kenya which runs LopidingHospital is transitioning to Southern Sudan andin this issue we reflect on some of the pro-grammes it has carried out to help the localTurkana population.

Unfortunately, remote areas of Kenya to theNorth, especially the Mandera and MarsabitDistricts, have recently seen episodes of armedviolence. The ICRC has been involved, along

with the national Kenya Red Cross Society, inalleviating the suffering of some of the victims ofthese events by providing food and other assis-tance to affected populations and surgical sup-plies to local hospitals and medical centres.

We have also opened an office in Zanzibar andhave been involved with those affected by pre-elec-tion violence that has taken place in parts of theislands there. Still in Zanzibar, the Delegation hasorganised a seminar for war surgeons.

Elsewhere in Tanzania, in Arusha, a coursefor NGOs about the law governing their work inconflict zones has been organised.

With this wide range of activities, the ICRCRegional Delegation has contact with many partsof Kenyan society in many parts of the country.With a busy last half of the year there is still a lotto accomplish before year's end and we shallreport on some of these activities in our next issue.

Pascal CuttatHead of Regional Delegation

BULLETINREGIONAL DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS IN NAIROBINo. 8, September 2005

Training Leaders of Tomorrow 2

Aid for victims of clashes in North Eastern Kenya 3

Promoting Respect for IHLin the Commonwealth 4 & 5

Boosting Livelihoods in Lokichokkio 6 & 7

News Briefs 8

For further information, go to www.icrc.org

Alleviating Human Suffering

A Somali woman and her child wait for food distribution in Warankara, Mandera A Somali woman and her child wait for food distribution in Warankara, Mandera

I n the Nairobi Regional Delegation,we have developed many activitieswith universities to create an under-

standing of International HumanitarianLaw (IHL) and to have students understandthe humanitarian work that the ICRC does.

One of the aims of the ICRC regionaldelegation is the creation of a "communi-ty" of IHL teachers and to that end anannual round table of IHL academics isheld in Nairobi, Kenya.

This year, the roundtable of IHL aca-demics from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzaniaand Uganda was held in Nairobi in June.Such a forum allows lecturers to exchangeinformation and experiences and to stan-dardise to some degree the teaching ofIHL in the region.

Another activity that we hope willbecome an annual event is an essay com-petition for students learning IHL. Thecompetition allows students to write on atopic of humanitarian concern, often witha legal aspect, with the aim of encourag-ing students to apply the knowledgegained through research to improve theirunderstanding of armed conflict and itsconsequences.

This year's essay competition attractedover 50 entries from students from a widerange of faculties including law, arts, inter-national relations, education, social sci-ences and the school of journalism. Thestudents were asked to write on the topic,"To what extent should humanitarian work-ers and the military cooperate in the pro-tection and assistance of victims in armedconflict and natural disasters?"

Four students received monetary prizesfor their work, which went towards theirschool fees. The prizes and certificates

were presented by His Excellency, theHonourable Vice President Moody Awori,at a ceremony to celebrate World RedCross Day, held at a Nairobi hotel on 5May 2005.

For the last four years, university stu-dents from the region have been involvedin the Annual International Moot CourtCompetition on IHL. Student teams fromuniversities from Kenya and Tanzania arejoined by those from Ethiopia, Nigeria,Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda, for acompetition on IHL. This year for the firsttime teams from Sierra Leone andZimbabwe are expected. The event is runin conjunction with the InternationalCriminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) andstudent teams compete against each otherin role play scenarios, with the final held inthe ICTR. In 2005 - the fifth anniversary ofthe competition, there will be 12 teamsfrom 9 African countries competing.

The enthusiasm of the universities inthe region and the talent of the teachersenables the ICRC to develop an excellentIHL programme.

Training Leaders of Tomorrow

UNIVERSITIES

2 - ICRC Bulletin m 6 March 2004

The ICRC works closely with institutions of higher learning in many countries of the world with the aim to sensitise students about Humanitarian Law because from these institutionsoften come the future leaders and opinion makers of society. Communication Coordinator

Leonard Blazeby talks about ICRC's cooperation with universities in Eastern Africa.

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IHL academics pose for a group photo during the round table

Linus Wang’ombe, a student at theUniversity of Nairobi receives the topaward from Vice President Moody Awori

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T o date, close to 20,000 personswho fled their homes between lastDecember and April this year due to

inter-clan clashes between the Murule andthe Garre remain entirely dependent onthe solidarity of residents of Mandera dis-trict and humanitarian aid. The addition of10,000 refugees from Somalia to theirnumbers in April aggravated the situation,"says Pascal Cuttat, the ICRC Head ofDelegation.

In July and August, two ICRC convoystook humanitarian aid items to the dis-placed persons and refugees.

"The ICRC with the support of KRCSvolunteers distributed a food ration ofmaize, beans and oil to 1470 families(8820 persons) in Borehole 11 and El wakin July. In addition, 1650 families (10,000persons) received blankets, kitchen sets,tarpaulins, mats, buckets, jerry cans, kan-gas and soap," explains NancyBeaudouin, the ICRC delegate overseeingthe operation.

A total of 11,500 persons in Lafey, Fino,Hareri, Sala, Warankara, Wargadud andMandera received household materialsduring a second distribution done in lateAugust. However, during this trip only1500 people received food. While the dis-tributions were done on the Kenyan side,the ICRC delegation for Somalia carriedout a similar operation across the border.

"There were reports that the distribu-tions apparently triggered mass weddingsin Elwak and as the ICRC off-loaded itemsin Fino and Lafey people referred to thekitchen sets as 'wedding sets'," addsBeaudouin.

"While the Red Cross would naturallycare for the IDPs, agencies mandated tocare for refugees were not in a position to

respond to theirneeds. ICRC thusagreed with theconcerned agen-cies to do a one-off food distribu-tion to the vulnera-ble people. A RedCross assessmentteam that visitedMandera in earlyJune had found theIDPs and refugeesliving in a precari-ous situation,"explains Cuttat.

Inter-clan clash-es from Somaliahave on occasion

spilled over to Kenya and their war-wounded often seek relief at Kenyan hos-pitals. The Mandera and Elwak hospitalsin Mandera district as well as four healthcentres have on several occasionsreceived ICRC donations of medical sup-plies.

When fresh clashes were reportedbetween rival clans in the Somali border-town of Bura hache in late July, the ICRCairlifted surgical materials for 50 war-wounded cases to Mandera and Elwakhospitals as well as dressing materials tocater for 200 war-wounded cases. Themedical supplies were aimed at reinforc-ing their capacity to cope with a possibleinflux of casualties from within Kenya andneighbouring Somalia.

Between February and August, theICRC with the support of the KRCS assist-ed 3,860 IDP and refugee families(approximately 23,000 persons) withessential household items and 1,720 IDPand refugee families (10,320 persons)with a one-month food ration.

Marsabit and Sololo hospitals receiveda donation of surgical materials for 60war-wounded cases from the ICRC, fol-lowing inter-ethnic clashes that saw thedeath of close to 90 persons in mid July.The Regional War Surgeon based inNairobi also visited Marsabit hospital toassess if it needed his technical support oradditional materials.

ICRC provides assistance to victims ofinternal disturbances without discrimina-tion and in proportion to their needs.

RELIEF

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Aid for victims of clashes in NorthEastern Kenya

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Since the beginning of 2005,the North Eastern region ofKenya which borders Somaliaand Ethiopia has been thescene of inter-clan clashes onseveral occasions. The need formedical supplies and shelter ofthe internally displaced people(IDPs) from the clashes hasbeen immense. Jessica Musila,the Media Officer reportsabout the concerted responseof the ICRC and Kenya RedCross Society (KRCS).

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Two women stuggle to fit a kitchen set box into their bag

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A Kenya Red Cross volunteer calls out a list of names before a distribution

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T he greatest challenge we face todayin the implementation of IHL issecuring respect and compliance

among States and other actors involved inarmed conflict. Faced with this prevailingsituation the international community mustmake every effort to ensure the widest pos-sible understanding, respect for, obser-vance and implemen-tation of IHL by bothStates and non-stateactors," Kenya'sAttorney General AmosWako, told theC o m m o n w e a l t hMeeting for NationalIHL Committees.

The three-dayC o m m o n w e a l t hNational IHLCommittees meeting inNairobi marked thehalfway point to the29th InternationalConference of the RedCross and Red Crescentwhich brings together181 countries and allcomponents of the RedCross Movement.

Thirty Commonwealth countries participat-ed in the meeting and were able share infor-mation concerning actions undertaken bytheir National Committees to implement theirIHL obligations. During the 28th InternationalConference held in Geneva in 2003, Stateshad committed themselves to meet their obli-gations under various IHL instruments.

Around 65 representatives of NationalIHL Committees from CommonwealthStates participated in the Nairobi meetingto which representatives of States interest-ed in starting similar committees were alsoinvited.

Betty Mould Iddrisu, the Director of theLegal and Constitutional Affairs division ofthe Commonwealth Secretariat encour-aged States that had not establishedNational IHL Committees to considerdoing so.

The ICRC's Vice President AnnePetitpierre attended the Meeting. Shereminded participants there was need todirect more energy to ensuring greaterrespect of existing IHL rules.

"Teaching and disseminating the law toall concerned parties and to the public ingeneral, as well as adopting nationalmeasures of implementation are veryimportant to ensure better respect of thelaw. Only States which have adopted com-prehensive legislation and regulation tothat purpose are in a position to correctlyapply the law," Petitpierre told the meeting.

"Kenya officially launched its NationalIHL Committee in October 2001 which hasmembers drawn from both the private andpublic sectors who have a vast knowledge

INTERNATIONAL HUMANIT

Promoting Respect for IHL in the CommonwealthIn mid July 2005, Kenya hosted a Commonwealth countries meeting of National InternationalHumanitarian Law (IHL) Implementation Committees to review the progress they had made in

meeting their obligations in regard to various treaties. The Communication Coordinator

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Swiss Ambassador Pierre Combernous, ICRC VicePresident Anne Petitpierre and Kenya Army Chief LegalAdvisor Brigadier Githiora and Solicitor General WanjukiMuchemi share a light moment

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Commonwealth meeting participants

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of IHL," Wako reported to the forum.Wanjuki Muchemi, the Solicitor General inthe Attorney General's chamber chairsKenya's National Committee.

Over the three days the participants'working groups discussed the structure andfinancing of committees, their working pro-cedures and sub-stance as well as thechallenges and obsta-cles and work plansfor 2005 - 2006.

Participants' alsoreviewed various IHLtreaties and their gov-ernments' obligations.IHL issues such childsoldiers, women andwar, small arms, theInternational CriminalCourt and theCustomary IHL studyrecently launched by the InternationalCommittee of the Red Cross were also con-sidered.

The thirty Com-monwealth States rep-resented at the meet-ing committed them-selves to give a higherpriority in their policyand programmes topublicise, apply andpromote respect forIHL; accede to treatiesto which they are notyet party to and imple-ment treaties theyhave already ratified.

Since 2000, the 53States of theC o m m o n w e a l t h

account for some 175 IHL treaty accessionsthough only approximately 30 laws havebeen adopted in about the same period. Todate, 19 Commonwealth countries haveestablished inter-ministerial committees.

The ICRC continues to provide the nec-essary advice ascountries move for-ward with ratifyingand implementingIHL treaties.National commit-tees are providedwith both technicaland material sup-port such as modellegislation thatwould assist in thedomestication oftreaties.

The ultimatebeneficiaries of the ratification and domes-tication of IHL treaties are the victims andvulnerable groups whose lives are disruptedby conflict and ravaged even further wherethere is little respect for humanitarian lawprinciples.

HUMANITARIAN LAW

HL in the Commonwealth

Martin Eaton addresses the conference as the Director of the Legal Division of theCommonwealth Betty Mould Idriddu, Attorney General Amos Wako and the ICRCVice President Anne Petitpierre listen.

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ICRC Head of Delegation Pascal Cuttat briefs Kenya’sVicePresident Moody Awori about the CommonwealthConference as Communications Coordinator Leonard Blazebylooks on.

"Teaching and disseminatingthe law to all concerned partiesand to the public in general, as

well as adopting nationalmeasures of implementationare very important to ensure

better respect of the law.”

ICRC Vice President Anne Petitpierre

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The International Committeeof the Red Cross works closelywith governments towards theestablishment of NationalCommittees on InternationalHumanitarian Law (IHL).National Committees are bodiesoffering advisory services to theauthorities with the aim of facili-tating the implementation of IHLat national level.

The evolution of conflicts haspresented IHL with certain chal-lenges with regard to its imple-mentation and repression. Inview of this, national committeesare vested with the enormousresponsibility of advising govern-ments in their commitment toupholding humanitarian law andfurther, updating the governmenton the current developments inthe law.

Governments are encouragednot only to sign and ratify IHLtreaties but also to proceed toincorporate the content of thesetreaties as part of their domesticlaw.

National Committees alsohave the important function ofdisseminating the provisions ofIHL during peacetime so as toensure respect for humanitarianlaw principles and compliance intimes of armed conflict.

The importance of the work ofnational committees in regionsriddled with conflict and postconflict societies cannot beoveremphasised. Many parts ofAfrica have been volatile for anumber of decades and the needfor the observance of IHLremains critical.

Role of NationalCommittees on IHL

PROJECTS

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T hough originally established totreat war-wounded from southernSudan, the hospital has been treat-

ing Kenyans living in Lokichokkio whorequire emergency surgery. BetweenJanuary and June 2005, the hospital hastreated 37 patients with gun-shot woundsfrom cattle raids, highway banditry attacksand domestic violence. Cattle raids are acommon phenomenon in Turkana districtand the nearest hospital is in Lodwar200km away.

"Our most recent patient with gunshotwounds was the District Officer (DO)Lokichokkio Michael Kibet who was shotwhile travelling to Lokichokkio fromLodwar. His right flank was hit by a bulletbut fortunately no organs were affected.He was immediately rushed to Lopidinghospital where he was operated on by theGeneva based ICRC Head of SurgicalUnit Chris Gianou who was visiting," saysthe Head of the Sub-delegation, RobDrouen.

In 1999, the ICRC joined forces withKenya's Ministry of Health and opened a22-bed medical ward in Lopiding to assistthe population of Turkana district. It servesas a referral ward for patients withobstructed labours and malaria. "In 2004,742 Kenyan patients were admitted in themedical ward having being referred fromthe AMREF and AIC health centres inLokichokkio," adds Drouen. Cooperationwith the two health centres dates back to1986 when the war in southern Sudanintensified and the ICRC started evacuat-ing patients into Kenya.

At first, the ICRC attended to patients atthe AIC and AMREF compounds until itsown structures were set up. "Since ICRCdonated to us a Land Cruiser ambulancethe health centre's referral system haseased," says the AIC Rural HealthSupervisor Bethwel Lochor.

Targeting livelihoodsDriven by a desire to assist communi-

ties living around the hospital, the ICRChas since 2003 worked closely with thecommunity in projects aimed at improvingthe water supply. The most recent project

Although for 18 years Lopiding hospital in Kenya has been the hub of the InternationalCommittee of the Red Cross (ICRC) medical services for the war-wounded from southern Sudan,

the ICRC has also worked on projects aimed at improving lives of the host community. As the ICRC prepares to withdraw from Lokichokkio in June 2006, the Media Officer

Jessica Musila talked with the local Turkana people about the impact it has made in their lives

Boosting livelihoods in Lokichokkio

Turkana women stuggle to fetch water from the deep in Lorus during the dry season

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Entrance to Lopiding hospital

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has been a solar cum wind powered waterpump installed in Lopiding village.

"The pump has boosted the amount ofwater available. Even though there used tobe a hand pump at the site, the water wasbut a mere trickle and women had to pushand jostle for water. Nowadays, we canalso send children to fetch it," commentsFrida Akatorot, a local community mem-ber in-charge of the Water Association forthis project.

Though the Turkana are traditionallypastoralists, Lopiding village residentscould easily become small scale horticul-ture farmers. The solar cum windmill pow-ered water pump has had a spill overeffect and the community has started avegetable garden using the drip irrigationsystem. They have planted tomatoes, kale,spinach and onions. "We hope to haveenough to eat and sell to the community,"says Henry Ayomo, a beneficiary.

On its own initiative, the communityhas also started a tree nursery on a plotnext to the vegetable garden. Ayomo saysthe money from the water points and gar-den will help to maintain the pump.

In times of severe drought, ICRC alsoprovides the people and livestock withwater using its trucks. In April, the ICRCtrucked water to residents of Lorus as mostwater points were dry.

While water remains a big problem inTurkana region which is mainly semi-desert, hygiene of the population is also ofconcern. In the last three years, the ICRCin cooperation with the authorities andNGO's in Lokichokkio, has mobilised thepopulation to participate in a yearly cleanup exercise. The main goal of this exerciseis to create awareness and sensitise thecommunity on health and hygiene. "Mosthomes do not have pit latrines and 'flyingtoilets' are a common phenomenon," saysthe Lopiding chief.

In addition, the ICRC has donated 80garbage bins made of old oil drums to thePublic Health Officer. Lokichokkio youthhave formed a group that collects thegarbage with a handcart for a small fee.

The Lokichokkio and Lopiding commu-nity and the ICRC have also cooperated torenovate and construct classrooms andoffices in some schools. The communityprovides the unskilled labour and locallyavailable materials. ICRC provides the

professional expertise and all other mate-rials necessary. Two of the schools -Napopongo'it and Nanam were handedover to the community in July 2005.

In most of the schools, the number ofpupils enrolled has risen tremendouslyafter the renovation and construction ofnew classrooms was completed. TheHeadmaster of AIC Lopiding primaryschool Paul Ochuka says, "the number ofpupils has risen to 351 from 219 in2004." Currently, renovation and con-struction is underway in three primaryschools - Songot, AIC Lopiding and St.Matthews.

Fires are common in Lokichokkio andthe ICRC, in cooperation with the KenyanArmy provides fire-fighting services as theyare the only ones with water cannons. Onan ad-hoc basis, the organisation has alsoprovided tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen setsand jerry cans to families whose housesand belongings were razed down by fire.

ICRC has been an elixir of life and asign of hope for the Turkana. As the ICRCprepares to close Lopiding hospital in June2006 and move into southern Sudan, theTurkana will feel the loss.

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Lorus, an elixir of life after the rainy season

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ICRC NEWS

ICRC Nairobi Regional Delegation, Denis Pritt Road, PO Box 73226, Nairobi, Kenya.Tel: (+254) 20 272 3963. Fax: (+254) 20 271 3003. E-mail: nairobi.nai@icrc.org

ICRC Dar es Salaam Mission, PO Box 23421, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tel: (+255) 222 668 552. Fax: (+255) 222 667 797. E-mail: mob_dar.nai@icrc.org

ICRC Djibouti Sub-Delegation, Rue Ras Mekonnen, Apt No 4, PO Box 2527, Dijbouti.Tel: (+253) 352 611. Fax: (+253) 352 156. E-mail: nairobi.nai@icrc.org

Editor: Jessica Musila, Media Officer Reporters: Jessica Musila and Leonard Blazeby,Communications Coordinator Graphic Design: Magnum Design House

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organizationwith an exclusively humanitarian mission to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and toprovide them with assistance. It also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian lawand universal humanitarian principles. The founding of the ICRC in 1863 led to the evolution of the International RedCross and Red Crescent Movement.

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Zanzibar office opensOn August 17, the ICRC opened an

office in Zanzibar ahead of the much antic-ipated Tanzanian general elections inOctober. The office is to serve as a liaisonpoint for contacts with national and localauthorities, politicians, the police, securityforces, hospitals and the media. An ICRCdelegate and field officer are stationedthere. The office will facilitate a faster andeffective response to any medical or protec-tion needs that may arise during the elec-tions.

War surgery seminarfor Zanzibari medics

Twenty five medics working in hospitalsin Zanzibar and Pemba attended a five-day war surgery course organised by theICRC in July. Participants were drawn fromMnazi moja, Allah Rakma, Wete, Mkoaniand Chake Chake hospitals. There werealso representatives from the Ministry ofHealth and the Tanzanian PeoplesDefence Forces. The training was to rein-force their capacity to cope with the needsof the injured in case of an influx of casu-alties during the general elections. TheNairobi based Regional Surgeon facilitat-ed the seminar and shared ICRC's experi-ence in handling surgical cases of theweapon wounded and the management of

medical establishments in case of a massinflux of casualties.

Seminar to special forces

The ICRC in mid-August organised athree-day seminar for Tanzanian specialforces on "Humanitarian rules in conflict sit-uations." The aim of the seminar was toinform and remind the special forces aboutsome basic humanitarian rules essential totheir work. The 25 participants were alsobriefed on the ICRC and its work. All themain Zanzibar Special Forces groups likeKikosi Maalum cha Kuzuia Magendo(KMKM), Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi (JKU),Kikosi cha Valantia Zanzibar (KVZ), the Fireand Rescue Unit and the Prison departmentattended the seminar.

Popular humanitariancourse

The first edition of this year's InternationalHumanitarian Law course for Humanitarianworkers was held in Arusha, Tanzania inMay. Twenty people from United Nationsagencies, international Non GovernmentalOrganisations, government agencies andnational Red Cross societies attended thecourse. The course remains very popularwith humanitarian organisations.

Air operations stafftraining

In early August, a six-day training coursefor ICRC national staff working in AirOperations (AirOps) units in various delega-tions was held in Mombasa. The 17 partici-pants were drawn from ICRC delegations inAfghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Jordan, SierraLeone, Democratic Republic of Congo,Somalia, Sudan and Kenya. All these dele-gations operate contracted aircrafts on afull-time basis.

The aim of the course was to give partic-ipants an opportunity to update their aviationknowledge and keep abreast of new devel-opments in terms of safety and regulation.Participants also explored new challengesarising especially in relation to security.

The ICRC Regional AirOps ManagerAhmed Hersi facilitated the training with hiscounterpart from Geneva.

"The context in which ICRC field opera-tions are conducted demands progressiveadaptation to new techniques and workingprocedures that continuously change withtime and situation. In the aviation field, newchallenges and developments often relate tosafety, security, modernisation of equipmentand changes in regulations," explains Hersi.

Last year, ICRC aircrafts carried close to60,000 passengers. Most of the passengersferried travelled in relation to the ICRC's tra-ditional tasks such as reuniting families,medical/casualty evacuations and repatria-tion of Prisoners of War (POW). In addition,the aircraft carried ICRC staff and personnelof other humanitarian agencies working toalleviate the suffering of people affected byconflicts.

"Apart from training, the course alsooffered psychological relief to our ICRC col-leagues who were coming from some of thehot spots in the world," adds Hersi.

ICRC uses aircrafts in its operations incases where the distances involved are vastor when there is poor or no transportationinfrastructure. Aircraft are also used in urgentoperations like medical evacuations or whenthere are security concerns. In 2004, ICRCaeroplanes did 18,000 departures from var-ious airports across the world.

The Regional AirOps unit is part of theICRC Logistics Centre in Nairobi and carriesout audits and safety assessment of aircraftsin delegations in Africa as well as staff train-ing. This is the first of three Air Operation

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Air operations course participants