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ANGOLA: REKINDLING HOPE: On 4 February three ICRC delegates and three local employees evacuated 73 orphans from the town of Kuando, in Huambo province, to the city of Huambo.
SENEGAL: FOOD AID FOR 6,000 DISPLACED PEOPLE: On 27 January the ICRC, working with the regional committee of the Senegalese Red Cross Society in Ziguinchor, carried out a food distribution for displaced people in the Ziguinchor and Bignona departments of Casamance.
IRAQ: RELIEF AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE SOUTH: Last week 20 families whose houses were partially or totally destroyed when a stray missile hit Basra on 25 January received kitchen sets, kerosene heaters, tarpaulins and food parcels following an assessment of needs by ICRC delegates.
MOROCCO/WESTERN SAHARA: URGENTLY NEEDED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ARRIVES: An ICRC shipment of 1.5 tonnes of essential medical supplies and 1,000 blankets arrived last week in Oran, Algeria, and was delivered to the Polisario Front near Tindouf by the Algerian Red Crescent.
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ANGOLA REKINDLING HOPE
On 4 February three ICRC delegates and three local employees evacuated 73 orphans from the town of Kuando, in Huambo province, to the city of Huambo. The children had been trapped in the orphanage of the Catholic mission, situated in an area that had become particularly dangerous. They were evacuated at the request of the orphanage's management.
The children, who had been left in the care of the church, were placed in Catholic institutions in Huambo. A convoy of four vehicles carried out the operation under the protection of the red cross emblem.
The ICRC is continuing to provide non-food assistance to victims of the fighting in Angola. Blankets, soap, kitchen utensils and plastic buckets have been given to 635 displaced people from Katchiungo and Vila Nova who have taken refuge on the premises of a private hospital in Huambo.
Further information: Francoise Zambellini, ICRC Luanda, tel. ++24 42/36 66 67-36 66 66 Juan Martinez, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++ 41 22 730 2281 or ++4179 202 4200
SENEGAL FOOD AID FOR 6,000 DISPLACED PEOPLE
On 27 January the ICRC, working with the regional committee of the Senegalese Red Cross Society in Ziguinchor, carried out a food distribution for displaced people in the Ziguinchor and Bignona departments of Casamance. The beneficiaries had fled their villages because of the insecurity that prevailed following clashes between Senegalese government forces and the separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC).
According to a count made by the National Society last December, 558 families, or 6,211 people, are receiving food aid. Some 31 tonnes of rice and 15 tonnes of millet were handed out in the latest distribution.
Despite the improved climate of the past few weeks, when for the first time since 1993 President Abdou Diouf met Fr Augustin Diamacoune Senghor, the historic leader of the MFDC, many of those displaced are still afraid to return to their villages.
Further information: Gilbert Delechat, ICRC Dakar, tel. ++221 8 241 293 Juan Martinez, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 2281 or ++4179 202 4200
IRAQ RELIEF AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE SOUTH
Last week 20 families whose houses were partially or totally destroyed when a stray missile hit Basra on 25 January received kitchen sets, kerosene heaters, tarpaulins and food parcels following an assessment of needs by ICRC delegates.
An emergency stock was also set up in the city to enable the ICRC and the Iraqi Red Crescent Society to respond immediately to any future needs. The stock comprises 1,000 blankets, 70 tents, medical kits for 500 war wounded, 100 tarpaulins, kitchen sets and soap.
Further information: Suzanne Berger, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 23 07
MOROCCO/WESTERN SAHARA URGENTLY NEEDED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ARRIVES
An ICRC shipment of 1.5 tonnes of essential medical supplies and 1,000 blankets arrived last week in Oran, Algeria, and was delivered to the Polisario Front near Tindouf by the Algerian Red Crescent. The beneficiaries will be Moroccan prisoners and local medical facilities.
The decision to send in medical supplies was taken following the visit late last year of an ICRC team to Moroccan prisoners held by the Polisario Front, a number of whom suffer from chronic illnesses.
In 1998 ICRC delegates visited a total of 1,729 Moroccan prisoners and a further 84 former prisoners who were released in April 1997 and are still awaiting repatriation.
The ICRC is extremely concerned about the situation of these men, most of whom were captured between 1978 and 1982. The organization is stepping up representations to the parties involved in order to bring about a humanitarian solution as soon as possible and remains available to supervise the repatriation of all prisoners held in connection with the Western Sahara conflict.
Further information: Suzanne Berger, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++4122 730 23 07 New on the ICRC Public Server - http://www.icrc.org : - Update No 99/02 on ICRC activities in Angola, dated 5.02.99. - Update 99/02 on ICRC activities in Iraq, dated 8.02.99.
During the weekend of 13 - 14 February 1999, for all information please call the press officer on duty Francoise Derron, on (mobile) 41 79 217 32 03