Iraqi Red Crescent essential in rebuilding civil society
23 October 2003

The role of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is absolutely fundamental in the rebuilding of civil society in Iraq, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is participating in the International Conference on Reconstruction in Iraq, being held in Madrid on 23 and 24 October.

Referring to the International Federation’s plan of action for the next 18 months, Federation President Juán Manuel Suárez del Toro said: “We are not talking about war, we are talking about the future. The needs of the Iraqi population remain critical and urgent. The Iraqi Red Crescent is playing an essential role in helping the most vulnerable to have access to basic health care and proper nutrition.”

The Federation is appealing for 31 million Swiss francs (US$ 23 million) to support the re-building of the Iraqi Red Crescent, to reinforce its capacities and resources at all levels, from governance and management nationally and locally, to activities at branch level, especially in the area of health services.

Among the specific objectives of the appeal are the doubling of the number of IRCS volunteers, from 3,000 to 6,000, training these new volunteers in health education and disease prevention, first aid, disaster preparedness and response as well as psychological support, and upgrading the skills of current volunteers. “The role of trained volunteers is essential and effective in reaching vulnerable people, because they are working at the community level,” noted Dr. Jamal Al-Karbouli, president of the Iraqi Red Crescent. “Over the last three months, around 1,000 new volunteers have been recruited, that’s already 33 per cent of our target.”

The IRCS is setting up a nation-wide campaign to fight the spread of diarrhoea and communicable diseases. An estimated 900,000 people will benefit from this over the coming weeks. The IRCS also plans to resume community health activities in conjunction with other agencies, for example vaccination campaigns against polio and measles, in cooperation with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health.

“The Iraqi Red Crescent is also an important factor in social reconciliation in the vital task of rebuilding civil society,” underlined Ibrahim Osman, Federation head of delegation in Baghdad. “They provide humanitarian assistance to all, regardless of ethnic origin or religion, in accordance with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s Fundamental Principles.”

The Federation has supported the Iraqi Red Crescent through an office in Baghdad since 1991, especially in the area of primary health care centres.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

In Madrid:
Milagros Mateos Herrera, Director of Communications, Spanish Red Cross - Tel: + 34 607 88 09 17
Miguel Ángel Rodríguez García, Information Officer - Tel: + 34 610 29 68 49

In Geneva:
Denis McClean, Head, Media Service - Tel: + 41 22 730 44 28 / + 41 79 217 33 57
Media Service duty phone - Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.