The ICRC started its activity in Cyprus on January 1, 1964 by sending a delegate to Nicosia. Two weeks later, owing to the spreading of the troubles, the ICRC decided to increase its representation and it now numbers two delegates and a secretary. Their mission is, in co-operation with the local Red Cross, to bring assistance and protection to the victims of the events, by basing themselves in particular on article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, relative to conflicts which are not of an international character.