Back Now that the conflict is underway, the American Red Cross will implement emergency relief activities in Iraq in full coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (which is the lead agency for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in all conflict situations), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other National Societies (such as the Iraqi Red Crescent Society and the British Red Cross). However, the degree to which the American Red Cross is able to respond to the emergency and post-emergency phases in and around Iraq will depend largely on the availability of funding from outside sources. American Red Cross Actions The American Red Cross emergency response to the crisis in Iraq will be characterized by a multi-faceted relief operation focusing on -Providing technical expertise to the International Federation -Augmenting the ICRC and/or International Federation’s pipeline capacity with relief supply support -Supporting the ICRC and/or Federation appeals with cash contributions -Offering Family Tracing services in conjunction with the ICRC and relevant National Societies. Technical Expertise: Two American Red Cross International Response Team (IRT) members are now on loan to the Federation in support of Red Cross and Red Crescent response operations in the region. Relief Supplies: In Turkey, the American Red Cross has positioned 34,200 blankets, 14,500 kitchen sets, 20,000 water containers (worth $405,320) for use by the ICRC and/or the Federation in and around Iraq. In Bulgaria, 30,000 hygiene parcels, 30,000 blankets, 500 tents and 2,225 tarps are available. Cash Support: Jordan: $15,000 provided to the Federation in support of basic National Society disaster preparedness activities for refugees; Syria: $15,000 provided to the Federation in support of basic National Society disaster preparedness activities for refugees; ICRC Appeal: an initial contribution of $100,000 will be provided to the ICRC’s Emergency Appeal; additional financial and relief supply support will be provided based on available funding; Federation Appeal: An initial $100,000 will be provided in response to the Federation’s Emergency Appeal; additional financial and relief supply support will be provided based on available funding. International Family Tracing Services: The ICRC will deliver messages through the American Red Cross between American PoWs or detainees and their family members in the United States (or between refugees or displaced persons and their family members in the U.S.) for processing. ICRC Actions Roles: The ICRC has operated in Iraq since 1980 (Iran-Iraq War). Per the 1997 Seville Agreement regarding intra-Movement operational status during conflict, the ICRC will be the lead agency on behalf of the Movement for operations in Iraq. In accordance with its mandate to uphold International Humanitarian Law and family tracing/linking capacities, as well as its ability to operate during conflict, the ICRC will be the major Movement responder. Response: Given the war’s expected magnitude, the ICRC has reduced its expatriate field staff presence in Iraq from 35 to less than 10. The ICRC has sufficient stocks positioned in and around Iraq to provide for 7,000 war-wounded and up to 150,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and war-affected. The ICRC has issued an Emergency Appeal for Iraq, requesting approximately $80 million USD in cash and in-kind donations. International Federation Actions Roles: The primary functions of the International Federation are to provide strategic, technical, administrative and financial support to National Societies. In addition, the International Federation issues and manages operational and emergency appeals as requested by a National Society. Examples of the International Federation’s recent activity in the region include launching a nationwide polio eradication campaign with the Iraqi Red Crescent Society and supporting the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society’s disaster preparedness activities. Response: The International Federation will work with each National Society bordering Iraq to ensure coordination of resources and responses to any refugee flows. It is expected that the International Federation’s primary responses will be the provision of shelter, water and sanitation services, and essential food and non-food items for up to 300,000 refugees in the region (pre-positioned stocks in Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Jordan). Thirty “Emergency Response Units” (e.g., Referral Hospitals, Water/Sanitation, Logistics) are on stand-by for immediate deployment. The International Federation has launched an emergency appeal in response to the conflict in Iraq for approximately $80 million. National Red Cross/Red Crescent Society Actions Roles: A National Society that operates within its own borders, such as the Iraqi Red Crescent Society, is referred to as an Operating National Society (ONS). A National Society that operates in a country other than its own by offering their support to the ONS, the International Federation and/or the ICRC during response operations is referred to as a Participating National Society (PNS). The American Red Cross operates as a PNS in its overseas operations (e.g., Central America, Africa, India, etc.). Operating National Society Responses Iraqi Red Crescent: Non-food items for 55,000 vulnerable persons inside Iraq Jordan Red Crescent: Non-food items for 5,000 refugees and third-country nationals in Jordan Turkish Red Crescent: Non-food items for 80,000 vulnerable Iraqis Iran Red Crescent: Camp management (inside Iran) for up to 100,000 refugees Syrian Arab Red Crescent: Camp management (inside Syria) for a minimum of 5,000 refugees.

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