Military

DATE=12/10/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=I-C-R-C / 2003 (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-297317

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

INTRO: The International Committee of the Red Cross says it will need nearly 650 million dollars to help victims of armed conflict and violence next year. Lisa Schlein reports the Geneva-based I-C-R-C runs humanitarian operations in some 80 countries.

TEXT: The International Committee of the Red Cross has operations in just about every trouble spot in the world, including Afghanistan, the Palestinian territories, the Caucuses region in Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.

However, it says it will have to expand its operations even more next year because of the deteriorating situations in Liberia, Colombia, and Ivory Coast.

The director of I-C-R-C Operations, Pierre Krahenbuhl, says his agency has been running regional operations for West Africa out of Ivory Coast for years and, therefore, is in a good position to expand its programs there.

Mr. Krahenbuhl says the Red Cross has been carrying out assistance and medical projects, as well as visiting prisoners held by the government or the rebels.

The Red Cross says Afghanistan remains its largest and costliest operation. However, it adds that it has cut more than 40 million dollars off last year's budget due to the improved situation in that country. Cuts also have been made in programs for Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone and Yugoslavia.

The president of the international committee, Jakob Kellenberger, says the Red Cross is asking for fifteen million dollars for Iraq for next year. He says the agency already has released eleven million dollars from its reserve funds to prepare for the humanitarian consequences of a possible war.

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These preparations included in particular the opening of additional logistic points in west of Iran, Kuwait and the pre-positioning of stocks inside and outside Iraq. And, to be in a position to meet the most urgent needs following an intervention during the first months.

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Mr. Kellenberger, says the Red Cross is not making a judgment on what will happen. But he says the organization would not be forgiven if it had failed to prepare for a humanitarian crisis. (Signed)

NEB/LS/KL/KBK