EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - Red Cross sending more aid to victims of armed conflict deprived of basic health services

Geneva (Agenzia Fides) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has just announced that it has decided to increase the funds allocated to health services for victims of armed conflicts. Health activities are to increase by 7.0%. "Millions of people affected by armed conflict have no access to basic health services, and many wounded die because they do not receive the necessary treatment," said Jakob Kellenberger, President of the ICRC, at the 2010 annual budget presentation. The extra funding will be used primarily to expand the capacity of suburban hospitals in Pakistan, to improve access to primary health care and first aid, and increase aid to orthopedic centers in countries like Afghanistan, which will be the biggest humanitarian operation of the ICRC, with 57 million Euros, 18% more than the initial budget for 2009. The next will be Iraq (56 million) and Sudan (50 million). At last count, in 2008, about 3.5 million people had been assisted by ICRC-supported health centers, with over 108,000 surgeries in hospitals in 21 countries. (AP) (3/12/2009 Agenzia Fides)