Secretary-general of the Federation, Didier Cherpitel, and Ruud Lubbers, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees shake hands on the agreement. (p9223) Signing the agreement in Geneva. (p9225)

Iraq crisis: International Federation, UNHCR sign cooperation agreement
21 March 2003

In light of the huge potential for population movements out of Iraq, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today signed a framework agreement outlining areas of cooperation in the region.

The agreement - signed in Geneva by the secretary-general of the Federation, Didier Cherpitel, and Ruud Lubbers, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees – covers cooperation in Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey.

“This partnership will be of crucial importance for national Red Crescent Societies as they engage with their governments within the context of the crisis,” Cherpitel said. “The mechanisms envisaged in this agreement will also allow all parties to act more effectively in bringing assistance to affected populations.”

The agreement foresees improved mechanisms for sharing information and expertise, coordinated contingency planning and programme implementation, maximising the use of resources, and avoiding any duplication of efforts.

For further information, or to set up interviews (ISDN line available in Geneva), please contact:
In Amman:
Sébastien Carliez, Information Delegate Tel: + 962 795 900 520 / + 9626 568 10 60
In Geneva
Marie-Françoise Borel, Press Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 43 46 / + 41 79 217 33 45

Related links
More on the Iraq crisis