ICRC News 26 / 09.07.97
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CAMBODIA: HOSPITALS SHORT OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES: Following the clashes that broke out in Cambodia on Saturday 5 July, a number of hospitals, particularly in Phnom Penh, have almost run out of medicines and other medical supplies.
KENYA: RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS ASSIST OVER 130 VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE: The Kenya Red Cross Society, with support from the ICRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, took 75 wounded people to various hospitals during the riots which broke out in Nairobi on Monday 7 July.
UGANDA: AID FOR CIVILIANS IN THE WEST: Following the recent clashes in Bundibugyo, teams from the ICRC and the Uganda Red Cross Society went to the town to launch a relief operation for civilian victims of the conflict.
SOMALIA: WRITERS JOIN FORCES FOR "GOOGOOS" PROJECT: Some of Somalia's leading writers and poets have joined the ICRC and the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) in developing a new series of plays focusing on humanitarian issues.
ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINES: ASIAN EXPERTS MEET IN MANILA: Some 30 military experts are expected to attend an Asian Regional Seminar on Anti-Personnel Mines, to be held from 20 to 23 July in the Philippine capital Manila.
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CAMBODIA HOSPITALS SHORT OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Following the clashes that broke out in Cambodia on Saturday 5 July, a number of hospitals, particularly in Phnom Penh, have almost run out of medicines and other medical supplies. The situation remains uncertain in the areas of Battambang and Siem Reap, with tension running high and security conditions still hazardous along the main access routes. While some diplomatic representations in the Cambodian capital are trying to arrange for the evacuation of their nationals, the ICRC is pursuing its efforts to deliver the necessary supplies to hospitals, to transfer the wounded and to ensure the protection of detainees.
Since the beginning of the events, the ICRC delegation in Phnom Penh has remained in constant radio contact with the teams deployed by the various National Red Cross Societies working in the capital (in particular the American, Australian, French and Japanese Red Cross Societies), and is doing its utmost to meet the most pressing humanitarian needs. On Sunday 6 July a convoy delivered medicines and other medical supplies to the city's main hospitals with surgical facilities. Other convoys evacuated Cambodian and foreign civilians trapped in the Tuol Kork neighbourhood near the airport, where heavy fighting was taking place, to the city centre. People wounded in the clashes were transferred from the Kossamak hospital, which had been hit by shells, to the Calmette and Sihanouk hospitals. A survey conducted on 7 July in these three hospitals showed that their medical stocks had almost completely run out; 98 war-wounded - nine of whom have since died - had been admitted since the fighting broke out. The Calmette hospital, which saw a particularly large influx of casualties, is in urgent need of antibiotics, antitetanic serum, surgical kits, sutures, surgical gloves and dressing materials.
On Tuesday 8 July the ICRC requested access to persons detained in Phnom Penh, and made the rounds of the PJ, T3 and Tuol Sleg prisons.
In Battambang, the prison came under mortar fire on 7 July and four detainees were wounded. ICRC delegates, working with staff of Midecins sans Frontihres, organized first aid and transferred two of the wounded to the local military hospital. The ICRC also provided food for the detainees held in Sisophon, who had been left to fend for themselves.
The ICRC has been working in Cambodia since 1979. Its tasks include visiting detainees, restoring family links and promoting awareness of international humanitarian law. The ICRC also runs an artificial limb-fitting centre in Battambang, and a factory for manufacturing prosthetic components and a blood bank in Phnom Penh.
The ICRC delegation in the Cambodian capital and its sub-delegation in Battambang are staffed by 16 expatriates, including a representative of the Japanese Red Cross, and 150 Cambodian personnel. On Sunday 6 July, part of the staff not involved in operational activities were transferred to Thailand.
Further information: Joerg Stoecklin, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2906
KENYA RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS ASSIST OVER 130 VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
The Kenya Red Cross Society, with support from the ICRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, took 75 wounded people to various hospitals during the riots which broke out in Nairobi on Monday 7 July. Another 58 people were given first aid on the spot and then discharged. Among the casualties were 31 security personnel and 12 university students.
"We try and do our best", said a volunteer as he took a well-deserved break with his team in a Land Cruiser whose stretcher was stained with blood. His team had already carried out nine evacuations that morning.
The ICRC provided additional vehicles and funds for the entire first-aid operation in the country, and the International Federation supplied radio handsets and vehicles. The ICRC's support forms part of a disaster preparedness programme launched in 1996 to help prepare the Kenya Red Cross to come to the aid of any victims of violence in the country. With assistance from both the ICRC and the International Federation, the National Society will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to provide the necessary services should similar events arise in the future.
Further information: Josui Anselmo, ICRC Nairobi, tel. ++2542 716 339 Michael Kleiner, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2281
UGANDA AID FOR CIVILIANS IN THE WEST
Following the recent clashes in Bundibugyo, teams from the ICRC and the Uganda Red Cross Society went to the town to launch a relief operation for civilian victims of the conflict. On 21 and 24 June, they delivered supplies of maize flour, beans and vegetable oil for 1,800 people.
The ICRC subsequently extended the operation to destitute civilians living in the conflict-stricken areas of Kasese and Kabarole, distributing blankets, jerricans and soap. This brings the number of people who have received aid from the ICRC and the National Society in western Uganda to over 3,500.
The ICRC has staff permanently based in Kasese. In cooperation with the Uganda Red Cross, they are closely monitoring the situation from the humanitarian standpoint and are standing ready to take action should further needs arise in the region.
Further information: Josui Anselmo, ICRC Nairobi, tel. ++2542 716 339 Michael Kleiner, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2281
SOMALIA WRITERS JOIN FORCES FOR "GOOGOOS" PROJECT
Some of Somalia's leading writers and poets have joined the ICRC and the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) in developing a new series of plays focusing on humanitarian issues. Over the past few months, literary figures all over the country have been invited to create "googoos", or traditional short sketches, drawing on a number of themes that include the use of weapons, women and war, dependency on aid, clan rivalry, and the effects of the local drug "kat".
The ten best contributions, which were selected by a panel representing all regions of the country, are currently being filmed and recorded for wide distribution throughout Somalia. The "googoos" will form part of the joint ICRC/SRCS campaign to raise awareness of the Red Cross/Red Crescent in Somalia; they will also serve to generate discussions on humanitarian issues among both Somali youth and militia groups and to promote respect for traditional Somali rules in times of conflict.
Further information: Laura O'Mahony, ICRC Nairobi, tel. ++2542 723 963/4/5
ANTI-PERSONNEL LANDMINES ASIAN EXPERTS MEET IN MANILA
Some 30 military experts are expected to attend an Asian Regional Seminar on Anti-Personnel Mines, to be held from 20 to 23 July in the Philippine capital Manila. The objective of the seminar, which is being organized by the ICRC in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine National Red Cross, is to initiate an informal dialogue among independent Asian analysts on issues central to the future of anti-personnel mines in the region. Participants will discuss current international political and legal initiatives regarding these weapons, the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law, the military effectiveness of anti-personnel mines, regional and international cooperation in mine clearance, and possibilities for regional initiatives to tackle the anti-personnel mines problem. The seminar is expected to issue recommendations to States in the region, with particular emphasis on the military utility of anti-personnel landmines.
Further information: Paul Bonard, ICRC Manila, tel. ++632 892 89 01 Peter Herby, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2729
During the week-end of 12 - 13 July 1997, for all information please call the press officer on duty, Joerg Stoecklin, on (mobile) 41 79 202 36 80