Guinea-Bissau - ICRC: 11.Aug.98
Guinea-Bissau - ICRC: 11.Aug.98
International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent
Guinea-Bissau
Report No. 4
11 August 1998
General situation
On 27 July, the government of Guinea-Bissau and the military junta
signed a ceasefire agreement following seven weeks of fighting. This
took immediate effect and has been fully respected by both parties to
the conflict. Negotiations for a more permanent solution recommenced
during the first week of August with the full participation of both
sides under the auspices of the Community of Portuguese-speaking
Countries and the Economic Community of West African States.
Humanitarian situation
Fighting in late June/early July has prompted an exodus from Bissau and
other towns. Thousands of people headed into the countryside whilst
others fled further afield such as to neighbouring Senegal or
Guinea-Conakry.
In the capital of Bissau
Fortunately, Bissau, which is now emptied of between 70-80 % of its
population, was only partially damaged by the fighting. Some
neighbourhoods are worse affected than others but the electricity plant
is still working and water supplies are practically guaranteed across
the whole city.
The majority of medical structures are still functioning. However,
Bissau's remaining inhabitants (now estimated at between 50-60,000
people) are subject to food shortages since supply lines have been
affected by the conflict.
In the regions
The internally displaced, who number some 250,000, now find themselves
scattered throughout Guinea-Bissau. The majority have found refuge with
"host" families (usually relatives or friends) or have returned to their
villages of origin. Fears that the new arrivals could put pressure on
water and sanitation facilities in their temporary homes have not yet
materialized but it is essential to be mindful of this potential problem
in order to avoid the usual associated health risks. Demand on local
food resources has also increased and, should the situation continue,
this could further destabilize host communities. From a local economic
perspective, disruption of the normal agricultural cycle means less
purchasing power.
ICRC priorities
Presently, the main objective of the ICRC operation in Guinea-Bissau is
twofold; to give those who were forced to leave their homes essential
support so as to limit the burden on their hosts and to help the few who
stayed at home who are subject to food shortages. To this effect, the
ICRC is targeting assistance at the internally displaced in Cacheu,
Quinara, Bafata, Tombali and Biombo, those who fled by boat to the
nearby archipelago of Bijagos and those who remained in Bissau.
The key focuses of the current ICRC action are:
- for the internally displaced in the regions of Cacheu, Quinara,
Bafata, Tombali and Biombo: to continue distributing essential food
assistance with the help of the Red Cross Society of Guinea-Bissau
(RCSGB). Since the beginning of the crisis, the ICRC and the National
Society have distributed more than 300 mt food donated by the World Food
Programme (WFP) to these areas and, during the coming three months, will
distribute a further 2,610 mt from WFP stocks for the 115,000 internally
displaced. Plans are now being made to deliver buckets and soap.
- for those who remained in Bissau itself or who took refuge on the
archipelago of Bijagos: again, to continue distributing essential food
assistance with the help of the National Society. Over the next three
months, 200 mt food will be distributed for 7,000 people on the islands
who should also shortly receive supplies of soap and plastic sheeting.
Up until the 15 July, the ICRC had distributed some 300 mt food in
Bissau and its surroundings. Since then, the ICRC has registered some
40,000 people in 43 districts of the capital who have benefited from
some 30 mt food and who should shortly receive some plastic sheeting.
- for those who moved abroad and seeking news from their relatives in
Guinea-Bissau: with the RCSGB, to continue to set up a network allowing
people in Guinea-Bissau to stay in touch with their relatives abroad
through Red Cross messages. The ICRC is presently training personnel
from the National Society to join forces with them in this venture.
- for those arrested in connection with the conflict: to continue
visiting ICRC-registered detainees and to pursue representations with
both parties to gain access and regularly visit those arrested or
detained in connection with the conflict.
- for unaccompanied children: to continue to identify these children
and, with the relevant authorities, set up procedures to reunite them
with their families. The ICRC has already identified more than a dozen
such cases and is now training RCSGB staff in order to work jointly on
this.
- for the sick and wounded: to continue to support health structures in
Bissau, Oio and Bolama. So far, an estimated 1.5 mt medical material has
been delivered.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(the Federation) is also working in the country and is concentrating its
efforts on the reinforcement of the capacity of the National Society. It
is working in close coordination with the ICRC which is the lead agency
in this operation.
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