A six member delegation of International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) led by Christine Cipolla, deputy head of operations for South Asia, ICRC, Geneva, paid a visit to state from January 19 to January 22.
ICRC delegation included Michael Rudiak, head of sector, South Asia, ICRC, Geneva; Simon Peter Brooks, Deputy Head of Delegation, ICRC, New Delhi; Brig. Gen. (Retd) Llyod Gillet, Regional Delegate to Armed and Security Forces, ICRC, New Delhi; Diganta Bujarbaruah, Co-operation Field Officer, ICRC, New Delhi; and Anukha Combernous, Focal Person for NE India, ICRC, New Delhi.
ICRC delegates visited district disability re-habilitation centre, Dimapur on January 20 which is being supported by ICRC. The next day the team visited office of IRCSN State Branch, Kohima, and had a meeting with members of Managing Committee, IRCSN.
In the course of their interaction with managing committee members, ICRC delegates reiterated the commitment of ICRC in the development of Red Cross branches. Stating that there was a strong commitment from Nagaland State Branch, Christine Cipolla, Deputy Head of Operations for South Asia, ICRC, Geneva, requested IRCSN to continue the same commitment.
Simon Peter Brooks who had earlier visited Nagaland, said ICRC in New Delhi felt strongly about developing and strengthening the emergency response of Red Cross branches and to strengthen the district branches of Red Cross. H. Hesso, vice-chairman, IRCSN, conveyed the desire of IRCSN to set up a junior and youth Red Cross and disaster management/ emergency response training centre. He also requested ICRC to help the state branch in achieving the goal.