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ANGOLA: ASSISTANCE FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE: The ICRC has strengthened its operational capacity in Angola so as to be able to respond to the new humanitarian needs created by the resumption of hostilities, particularly in Huambo and Bie provinces.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: CONGOLESE CIVILIANS ARRIVE IN BANGUI: The deteriorating situation in the northern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has prompted several thousand people to flee their homes and cross the river Oubangui.
IRAQ: ICRC REHABILITATES DAMAGED HOSPITAL: During the recent military action against Iraq, Saddam General Hospital in the town of Tikrit (300 kilometres north of Baghdad) was damaged by several nearby explosions.
GUINEA-BISSAU: ICRC REHABILITATES SIMAO MENDES CENTRAL HOSPITAL: Since the signing of a cease-fire in Guinea-Bissau in early November 1998, the ICRC has begun to rehabilitate the country's main medical facility, the 500-bed Simao Mendes Central Hospital, which employs 600 people in the capital, Bissau.
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ANGOLA ASSISTANCE FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE
The ICRC has strengthened its operational capacity in Angola so as to be able to respond to the new humanitarian needs created by the resumption of hostilities, particularly in Huambo and Bie provinces. On 2January it sent 2,000 tarpaulins, 3,000 blankets, 1,500 kilos of soap and 700 kilos of medicines to Huambo.
This assistance is to be distributed within the next few days. The medicines will be used to treat wounded civilians who have been admitted to the Huambo hospital since the shelling began on 30 December 1998.
In Huambo, five ICRC expatriates and 60 Angolese employees are striving to meet the needs of the displaced and the most vulnerable. The ICRC is also in daily contact with its team of nine Angolese employees in Kuito, where assistance will be provided as soon as possible to thousands of displaced people and local residents.
Further information: Marjolaine Martin, ICRC Luanda, tel. ++ 244 23 644 54
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CONGOLESE CIVILIANS ARRIVE IN BANGUI
The deteriorating situation in the northern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has prompted several thousand people to flee their homes and cross the river Oubangui. On the other bank, in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, some of them have found shelter with relatives and about 1,300 others have been received in open-air centres.
With the help of the ICRC, the Central African Red Cross Society, which has mobilized 40 volunteers, has begun to provide these people with food and material assistance. It is also setting up kitchens where meals of rice and beans will be prepared and distributed directly to the refugees. Four wounded people, including one child, have been hospitalized in the capital.
The ICRC has been working on a permanent basis in Bangui since 1997. It is following the situation closely with a view to taking further action if necessary.
Further information: G. Valery Mbaoh, ICRC Yaounde, tel. ++237 22 58 59
IRAQ ICRC REHABILITATES DAMAGED HOSPITAL
During the recent military action against Iraq, Saddam General Hospital in the town of Tikrit (300 kilometres north of Baghdad) was damaged by several nearby explosions. The ICRC has hired two local contractors to rehabilitate the hospital under its supervision so as to ensure that the 400-bed facility can function properly again. Work started on 26 December and should be completed within two months.
The heating system has already been repaired and shattered windows have been replaced to protect the patients from the cold weather. Further repairs will be carried out on the false ceilings and lights. As for the air-conditioning system, it will have to be restored to working order by early spring, when temperatures in the region start rising above 40 degrees.
ICRC activities are proceeding normally again with a staff of 12 expatriates in Baghdad and 11 in northern Iraq.
Further information: Suzanne Berger, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++ 41 22 730 2307
GUINEA-BISSAU ICRC REHABILITATES SIMAO MENDES CENTRAL HOSPITAL
Since the signing of a cease-fire in Guinea-Bissau in early November 1998, the ICRC has begun to rehabilitate the country's main medical facility, the 500-bed Simao Mendes Central Hospital, which employs 600 people in the capital, Bissau.
The hospital was hit by artillery fire when clashes broke out between government troops and rebels on the outskirts of the capital on 7 June. The buildings housing the operating theatre, the maternity and radiology departments and the administration were the most severely damaged and these services had to be moved into makeshift premises. The radiology building was destroyed by a shell but the equipment is still in working order.
A local company has been entrusted with the repairs, which are being carried out in agreement with the Ministry of Health and financed by the ICRC. The work will ensure that the population, which is trying to recover from several months of conflict, can once again have access to adequate health care.
Further information: Michael Kleiner, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 22 730 22 81
During the weekend of 9 - 10 January 1999, for all information please call the press officer on duty Corinne Adam, on (mobile) 41 79 202 3680