Red Cross, Arab Red Crescent body seek ways to boost cooperation in Middle East

ICRC is a vital partner for humanitarian work. (Supplied)

• ICRC’s code of conduct reflects its commitments to meet fundamental principles and rules concerning ethical conduct in all its organizational activities

RIYADH: Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Seheibani, head of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO), received a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at ARCO’s Riyadh headquarters on Sunday. They were briefed on ARCO’s humanitarian work.
The delegation was headed by ICRC’s representative in Riyadh, John Strick, and the ICRC’s regional coordinator of cooperation with national societies, Sahar Al-Hashem.
The two parties discussed ways to further develop cooperation in humanitarian and relief work.
During the visit, the delegation watched a short presentation which covered the most notable recent collaborations between the two parties in the Arab region, as well as the evaluation of common areas of work between the two parties — such as introducing and explaining international humanitarian law, the organization of joint workshops, media training, diplomacy and other related fields.
Strick expressed his thanks to ARCO for its continued humanitarian efforts in the Arab region, particularly at such a difficult time for the Arab world.
He said he hoped the visit would contribute toward further constructive cooperation between ARCO and the ICRC.
Al-Seheibani acknowledged that ARCO faces a number of challenges, working in a region where a number of countries are “ravaged by human tragedies.”
He stressed that the ICRC is a vital partner for humanitarian work. Al-Seheibani also praised the ICRC’s efforts to ensure Arab League compliance with international humanitarian law, which ensures people’s safety and dignity during crises and wars.
ICRC’s code of conduct reflects its commitments to meet fundamental principles and rules concerning ethical conduct in all its organizational activities.
It is about operational excellence with integrity — which is the core of ICRC’s identity.