ICRC resumes its activities in Aceh

ICRC resumes its activities in Aceh

JAKARTA: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
has resumed activities in conflict-torn Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
after four months of suspension.

The reopening of the ICRC office in the provincial capital of
Banda Aceh on Dec. 5 marked the reinstatement of its humanitarian
mission in the country's westernmost province, where a major
offensive against rebels is underway.

In its release made available to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday,
the ICRC said it planned to continue its activities of promoting
humanitarian law and Red Cross work, visiting people detained in
relation to the conflict, supporting the Indonesian Red Cross
(PMI) chapter in its efforts to assist displaced populations and
evacuate casualties throughout the province, and supporting the
PMI and provincial authorities in public health services.

In its absence, the ICRC has continued to support the PMI's
activities. Both the ICRC and the PMI take this opportunity to
recall the importance of respecting the Red Cross emblem: neutral
and independent humanitarian work.-- JP