In 1963, the ICRC undertook a large-scale assistance action in the Yemen where fighting was taking place between Royalists and forces of the Arab Republic of the Yemen. As the conflict was prolonged, involving a considerable number of civilian and military casualties, it set up a field hospital at Uqhd in the northern part of the country; it also increased the number of its medical teams working in the interior. In addition, delegates visited prisoners of both sides, brought them relief and arranged for them to communicate with their families.