Because of the armed conflict which broke out in the middle of July between El Salvador and Honduras and in response to an appeal made by the Red Cross Society of the latter, the ICRC sent out Mr. S. Nessi, Delegate-General for Latin America, and Mr. E. Leemann, Delegate, to investigate on the spot. Their assignment was to make all possible arrangements with the authorities and National Societies to come to the aid of the victims and ensure the application of the Geneva Conventions, to which the two countries in conflict are signatories.