Kathmandu, December 15:

The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have signed four agreements of partnership for 2008.

The pacts are to ensure the International Committee of the Red Cross’s contributions for the Nepal Red Cross Society, further strengthening its capacity in the areas of dissemination of the International Humanitarian Law, re-establishing family links, First Aid services and Mine Action.

According to a press release issued by the Nepal Red Cross Society today, Mary Werntz, the Head of International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Nepal, said: “Signing of these agreements is to reconfirm the strong ongoing partnership between the Nepal Red Cross

Society and International Committee, it also re-confirms the International Committee’s commitment to support the Nepal Red Cross Society in its humanitarian endeavours”.

Speaking on the occasion, Dev Ratna Dhakhwa, secretary general of the Nepal Red Cross Society, said: “The Nepal Red Cross Society has been enjoying the partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross not only during the time of conflict, but also while carrying out development activities in the post-conflict situation”.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has been working with the Nepal Red Cross Society for protecting and assisting people affected by armed conflict since 1998 through operational partnership for various projects.

The partnership includes the micro-economic initiatives to support the livelihood of the families of missing people and those killed during the conflict and reconstruction of water system in number of affected communities.