Sierra Leone - ICRC-02: 03.Mar.98
Sierra Leone - ICRC-02: 03.Mar.98
International Committe of the Red Cross
Update No. 98/02
Sierra Leone
03 March 1998
General situation
In some parts of Sierra Leone, civilians and war-wounded are still caught up
in the fighting between Economic Community of West African States troops
(ECOMOG), Kamajors, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and other
forces allied to Major Johnny-Paul Koroma such as the Revolutionary United
Front. Between 5 and 14 February (when ECOMOG advanced on -- and finally
took control of -- Freetown, ousting Koroma's military junta), intensive
fighting caused chaos with large numbers of people either converging on the
town-centre or scattering throughout the countryside in an attempt to escape
the violence. Considerable population movements have been noted over the
last month but it is as yet impossible to give precise numbers. Whilst the
situation is now calm in the capital, renewed fighting between junta troops
and ECOMOG is again taking place in the country's interior.
On 17 February, President Kabbah, who has been living in Conakry since
Koroma's coup d'etat on 25 May last year, appointed a task force to take
charge of state affairs until his return. The task force is headed by the
country's vice-President, Joe Demby and carries out its functions with the
assistance of ECOMOG commander, Colonel M Khobe. ECOMOG is currently
controlling Freetown and very few security incidents have been reported this
week. The ICRC is making the most of the opportunities presented by this
more stable environment in order to carry out distributions of relief items
and assessments on behalf of the city's most vulnerable.
Elsewhere though, operations are severely hampered by considerable tensions
which look set to persist. Continued clashes and ambushes are reported from
north-east of Waterloo on the main highway to Kabala and Kambia District
(Northern Province) right across to Kono District and down to Bo (Southern
Province). Many villages have been pillaged, burnt to the ground and
destroyed and there are numerous reports of crimes such as rape and murder
being perpetrated against civilians. Several expatriates working in Lunsar
are still missing following their kidnap earlier this month by an
unidentified group. It was in anticipation of such systematic looting and
repeated physical threats that the ICRC was forced to evacuate its expatriate
staff from Segbwema, Kenema and Makeni on 11 February and finally, a further
delegate from Bo on 21 February.
ICRC ACTIVITIES
During the first wave of fighting (5-14 February)...
During ECOMOG's advance on Freetown, an estimated 4,500 people took refuge in
the ICRC delegation compound. Medical and first aid attention on the spot
provided treatment for over 200 war-wounded. After a week of confinement to
their base, ICRC delegates were finally able to resume activities on 13
February prior to ECOMOG forces taking full control of the capital the
following day. At this stage they managed to evacuate the most serious cases
of civilian wounded from the compound to Connaught hospital, taking fuel for
the hospital's generator and medical supplies with them. Sierra Leone Red
Cross Society (SLRCS) volunteers, who have been particularly active
throughout the crisis, assisted the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) team at
the hospital. Seven bodies were buried. A first-aid point was set up in
Kissy, treating some 35 wounded people.
Over 20 disarmed soldiers surrendered and asked to be handed over to ECOMOG
under the auspices of the ICRC. A memorandum reminding those involved to
respect international humanitarian law was also passed to the governments of
those countries seconding troops to ECOMOG forces. The ICRC has made initial
contact with the relevant authorities in Freetown with a view to gaining
access to people detained in connection with the fighting.
Segbwema - operations had to be abandoned on 11 February when expatriate
delegates were evacuated first to Liberia and then to Conakry.
Kenema - a medical post was set up in the delegation compound but again,
evacuation of delegates to Conakry (via Liberia) on 11 February forced the
suspension of operations.
Bo - a delegate remained on the spot and worked with SLRCS volunteers to
organize the transfer of the wounded to medical facilities and the evacuation
of the dead for burial before the new upsurge of violence.
Presently...
At the same time as dealing with damage caused to ICRC property and stocks in
the aftermath of looting and fighting, the ICRC has already made considerable
headway in alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable.
Relief assistance
Evaluations are being carried out to assess the need for medicines and food
at various establishments such as hospitals and orphanages. ICRC medical
teams have managed to resume support to some 10 clinics and other health
centres in Freetown. Whilst life is returning to normal in terms of security
and calm in the capital, trading and transportation by road are not.
Scarcity of food is the main immediate problem for the city's 650,000
population. Shops have been looted and many traders have left the town. In
addition, the lack of fuel and the closure of the main road to the rest of
the country will severely limit deliveries, a problem which is being
addressed by the government, the international community and humanitarian
organizations.
A ship loaded with 750 mt of foodstuffs donated to the ICRC by the WFP
reached Freetown on 19 February. Distributions have been ongoing since 24
February with the help of the SLRC and are being made to:
- 7,500 people in 65 institutions
- 6,000 people whose homes have been completely destroyed (families have
received food assistance for a month, plastic sheeting, blankets,
hygiene items and a kitchen set)
- 120,000 under-fives
- 20,000 Sierra Leonean displaced on the peninsula
- 5,000 Liberian refugees on the peninsula
A second ship chartered by the ICRC and various other NGOs arrived with
medical supplies on Monday 23 February. Deliveries such as this should
enable the ICRC to continue to support the Connaught hospital and various
other clinics with essential items.
Protection
ICRC delegates have already begun visiting detainees held by ECOMOG. The ICRC
team, including a doctor and a nurse, went to Freetown's central prison,
where several hundred people arrested in the course of February are being
held. The detainees include both combatants, notably regular members of the
Sierra Leone armed forces and the Revolutionary United Front, and civilians.
The ICRC also succeeded in securing authorization to visit all persons held
on territories under ECOMOG's control. Similar approaches have been made to
the governments of neighbouring countries to access any detainees possibly
held in conjunction with the conflict.
Perspectives
The fulfilment of ICRC's planned objectives for 1998 will depend upon how the
situation evolves. Currently the ICRC is responding to emergency needs in
cooperation with the SLRCS. Further activities are conditional upon the
prevailing security situation upcountry and on needs which have not been
addressed by other humanitarian organizations.
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