Nairobi/Geneva (ICRC)
– In response to ongoing armed clashes in the area of Kismayo (southern Somalia), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sent urgently needed emergency medical supplies to
various medical facilities in Kismayo, Marheere,Dobley, Afmadow and Jilib.
"This weekend the Somalia Red Crescent Society sent two war surgeons and an anaesthetist to Kismayo to support
the local hospital," said Dr Ahmed M.
Hassan, the Somali Red Crescent president.
"They took 400 kg of surgical supplies from the ICRC with them which were urgently needed for the
treatment of war-wounded patients." Local clinics in the Kismayo, Marheere, Dobley, Afmadow and Jilib areas were provided with dressing kits for treating up to 500 war-wounded patients.
Last week the ICRC sent a truck from Mogadishu to Kismayo with 1,800 kg of surgical and other medical supplies to cover the needs of 100 war-wounded patients.
This week, in cooperation
with local medical facilities, the ICRC is continuing to closely assess surgical and other medical needs.
The ICRC and the Somali Red Crescent call on all parties to the non-international
armed conflict to comply with the rules of international humanitarian law by taking constant care in the conduct of military operations to spare the life and dignity of those not or no longer taking
part in the hostilities, including civilians, captured fighters and the wounded.
Moreover, all parties to the conflict are reminded of their obligation to respect and protect medical staff
and medical facilities and vehicles being used to care for the wounded and sick.
For further information, please contact:
Pedram Yazdi, ICRC Somalia, tel: +254 722 51 81 42 Nicole Engelbrecht, ICRC Nairobi, tel: +254 722 512 728 or +254 20 2723 963
Anna Schaaf, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 22 71 or +41 79 217 32 17
Gunmen from Hizbul Islam head for Somalia's southern port of Kismayu October 1, 2009. Rival Islamist rebels battled in southern Somalia's Kismayu port on Thursday, killing at least 20 people and ...
