Record International Red Cross Budget Reflects Explosion of Global Conflicts, Violence

Lisa Schlein
November 27, 2014

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is appealing for a record $1.68 billion to help millions of people whose lives are torn apart by armed conflict and violence. The Swiss humanitarian agency says an explosion of conflict and violence, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, is threatening regional stability and putting development prospects of impoverished countries at risk.

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Syria is the largest ICRC operation followed by South Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel and the occupied territories, Mali, the Central African Republic and Ukraine.

Maurer said conflict and violence not only kills people, it kills development. He said it is sad to see how even modest progress, which has been made in some impoverished conflict-ridden countries has been destroyed. He said health systems, water and sanitation systems, and habitats are being disrupted by violence.

“It is not limited, but exemplified with the conflict in the Middle East. But, we see the same phenomenon in the Sahel," he said. We see the same phenomenon in the Horn of Africa, with massive displacements and neighboring countries not coping with the number of displaced and, therefore, health, water, sanitation, housing systems disintegrating. States basically not capable any more to deliver basic services to people.”

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The Red Cross also plans to strengthen its response to sexual violence in places such as the Central African Republic, Central America, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Mali and South Sudan.