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The best estimates show the numbers of internally displaced (minimally) rose 25% compared with last year. The ICRC acknowledged a likely undercount because too many parts of the country aren't safe to access.
In fact, however, safety is virtually nonexistent throughout the country. As conflict escalated and spread, civilian casualties soared. America's "grand illusion" indeed.
In one hospital alone, Kandahar's Mirwais Regional Hospital (serving an astonishing four million people), 2,650 wounded patients have been admitted in 2010 compared to 2,100 in 2009. ICRC's prosthetic/orthotic centers have fitted nearly 4,000 people with prostheses this year alone. However, conditions are so unsafe in much of the country that ICRC staff can't operate there even though it maintains dialogue with all belligerents to treat victims regardless of their allegiances.
Most are civilians in harm's way, suffering under America's presence. It's why US forces are so hated. In contrast, Taliban ones are freedom fighters struggling to liberate their country.
ICRC's health coordinator, Dr. Bart de Poorter, cites one of many issues:
"The number of mothers coming in with children from easily preventable diseases such as measles or chronic diarrhea is staggering. But what doctor....is brave enough to venture into (some) areas given the appalling lack of security and lack of respect for medical staff?"
Yet international humanitarian law mandates that noncombatants be treated humanely at all times. Article 51 of Geneva's 1977 Protocol I requires they be "protect(ed) against dangers arising from military operations," including "indiscriminate attacks." In addition, "constant care shall be taken to spare the civilian population, civilians and civilian objects."
Under Geneva's Common Article 3:
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