These decisions are almost always linked to the dangers faced by our colleagues in the field. As we don't generally work with armed protection, our security in conflict areas depends on everyone, especially those who carry arms, accepting our presence. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case, above all in places where crime is rampant and the authorities can't control it. 

But pulling out staff remains the exception rather than the rule. The ICRC always tries to stay as close as possible to the people worst affected by war. We are among the very few organizations permanently present on the ground in some of the most dangerous places, for example in Kandahar in Afghanistan or Baghdad.

So how do you manage to work in the most dangerous situations?

Basically we have to adapt our way of operating. In the most dangerous situations our international staff may at times face additional risks to those confronted by our local colleagues because as foreigners they attract more attention - including from criminals. To deal with this we have had to reduce field movements by international staff in some situations and to decrease the amount of time they spend in the most dangerous areas. In extreme cases we have even had to temporarily withdraw international staff, for example, following the bomb attack on our Baghdad office in 2003 or in Northern Yemen last year. 

In situations where international staff presence is limited such as much of Somalia and parts of southern Afghanistan our national staff assume more responsibility. It is our responsibility to strike the appropriate balance between relying on their knowledge of the context and doing everything possible to minimize the risks they face in the course of their duties. 

What else can you do?

In these situations the close partnerships we have with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is particularly vital. Their volunteers and staff often have strong roots in these areas. In places like Northern Yemen, for example, working with our local staff and the national Red Crescent has allowed us to help thousands of displaced people over recent months - in the absence of ICRC international staff . By now, ICRC delegates have returned to Sa'ada in Northern Yemen, continuing and supporting the work of our national colleagues and the Yemeni Red Crescent. 

For Somalia, even though widespread insecurity forces the ICRC to have its delegation in Nairobi rather than Mogadishu we have been able to assist an average of one million people annually over the past few years, largely thanks to the work of our Somali colleagues and to our excellent cooperation with the Somali Red Crescent on the ground. 

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