The Secretary General of the East African Community Dr Richard Sezibera met with Mr. Thierry Meyrat, Head of Regional Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to discuss ways in which the two institutions can collaborate to safeguard human dignity in the region.
The that meeting took place at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania is in line with the EAC’s vision of creating a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East Africa. It is also aimed at easing the problem of refugees across the region.
‘By engaging with external stakeholders, ICRC gains a platform to inform and influence policy debates on key humanitarian issues with the exclusive objective of enhancing the protection and assistance of people affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence,’ an EAC release states.
Amb Sezibera requested Mr Meyrat to provide the Community with training in international humanitarian law for staff, Partner States and other members within the EAC. Other areas of cooperation will be stipulated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) being prepared by the two institutions.
“We are very keen on working in close collaboration with the EAC and in supporting it fulfil its mission on issues of concern to the ICRC,” said Mr Meyrat.
“We are also happy in supporting the EAC to enhance its capacity to address specific humanitarian issues and at the same time, seek EAC’s support to facilitate its humanitarian work among its member states,” he said.
