icrc-annual-report-2013

Local associations of disabled people help identifypotential patients for physical rehabilitationMore than 1,200 people accessed physical rehabilitation services atthe ICRC-supported physical rehabilitation centre in Bissau, but lessthan 50 needed prostheses/orthoses. Potential patients were thusencouraged to avail themselves of the centre’s services through leafletsand outreach programmes organized with local associations ofdisabled people. A study on communities’ capacity to independentlycover health care/physical rehabilitation costs was undertaken, witha view to developing support mechanisms for destitute patients.Staff and technicians at the centre in Bissau continued tostrengthen their abilities through ICRC presentations, on-the-jobtraining and courses abroad, thereby expanding Guinea-Bissau’spool of qualified professionals. Two ICRC-sponsored techniciansstarted their third and last year of training at a school abroad. InSeptember, the authorities signed an international conventionpertaining to the support due to persons with disabilities.AUTHORITIES, ARMED FORCES AND OTHER BEARERSOF WEAPONS, AND CIVIL SOCIETYPolitical, military and religious leaders facilitate people’sunhindered access to health careDialogue with Senegalese authorities, armed forces and the MFDCfostered respect for the population and unhindered access to healthcare (see Civilians), and support for the Movement’s humanitarianactivities. At a workshop abroad (see Suva), one military officerdiscussed challenges faced by health care providers with his peers.Senegalese religious leaders and other parties of influence fromWest Africa proposed recommendations on similar matters at anexpert workshop.Local authorities, international actors based in Dakar and othersbroadened their awareness of the needs of Casamance communitiesduring information sessions and themed events, such as aphoto exhibit on conflict-affected women, held in Casamance,at the ICRC’s IHL documentation centre in Dakar or elsewhere.Journalists learnt about IHL and specific issues connected withreporting on humanitarian affairs; 17 of them participatedin a workshop organized with the National Society and theInternational Federation of Journalists. In this way, people, particularlyin conflict-affected areas, were informed of and encouragedto support IHL and neutral, impartial and independenthumanitarian action by media representatives versed in both topics.Influential people from Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and other countriesdiscussed the similarities between IHL and Islam at a NationalSociety workshop in Senegal. Senegalese students, including thosestudying religion or journalism, added to their knowledge of IHLand the Movement at a moot court competition abroad (see Tunis) orat information sessions.Peacekeepers and law enforcement officers add to theirknowledge of IHL and other relevant normsReinforcing weapon bearers’ familiarity with IHL and human rightsprinciples remained a priority. One officer each from Senegal andGuinea-Bissau attended a course in San Remo. Senegalese troops–15 trainee officers and over 1,100 deploying to Casamance,Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Sudan – and international peacekeepersin Guinea-Bissau learnt more about these matters through training,briefings or manuals printed with ICRC support. Senegalesegendarmes – 60 in Casamance and 150 deploying to Mali – andinstructors at Guinea-Bissau’s new police academy built upon theirknowledge of international norms applicable to law enforcement.Meanwhile, over 30 Gambian police officers learnt about thesetopics from National Society first-aid trainers.Senegalese authorities and the ICRC discussed establishing anIHL office within the military. The Gambian military’s IHL officeclosed, halting planned activities with the armed forces.Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal take steps toregulate the sale and use of armsDialogue with the authorities stressed the importance of ratifyingand implementing IHL treaties, such as the African UnionConvention on IDPs and the Arms Trade Treaty, recently signedby Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. Senegalese officialsboosted their expertise at regional meetings on IHL and armscontrol (see Abidjan, African Union and Nigeria).In Senegal, the authorities, with ICRC input, revised the militaryjustice code to include pillage as a war crime and to protect theRed Cross emblem. Following discussions between the JusticeMinistry and the ICRC on creating a national IHL committee, thenational human rights committee was asked to include IHL in itspurview; therefore 45 members underwent basic training. At theirrequest, officials of the Extraordinary African Chambers reviewedthe application of IHL in international tribunals with ICRC help,in preparation for the trial of a former Chadian president.PEOPLE DEPRIVED OF THEIR FREEDOM GAMBIA GUINEA- SENEGAL SENEGAL-ICRC visitsBISSAUMFDCDetainees visited 9 733 12of whom women 18 3of whom minors 6Detainees visited and monitored individually 9 45 12of whom women 1 3Detainees newly registered 33of whom women 1Number of visits carried out 1 10 1Number of places of detention visited 1 5 1Restoring family linksRCMs collected 15RCMs distributed 9Phone calls made to families to inform them of the whereabouts of a detained relative 53Detainees visited by their relatives with ICRC/National Society support 2People to whom a detention attestation was issued 1232 | ICRC ANNUAL REPORT 2013