News - Increased medical aid in Somalia
Source: British Red Cross Society - UK
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has stepped up its medical support in Somalia as the fighting increases and has called for all
parties to respect international humanitarian law.Since the outbreak of hostilities two weeks ago, the ICRC has distributed 16.5 tonnes of first-aid kits, surgical supplies and medicines to
medical facilities in central and southern Somalia, 23 clinics run by the Somali Red Crescent Society and three hospitals in the capital Mogadishu.To date more than 850 wounded people – both
civilians and fighters – have been admitted to these facilities.An ICRC team consisting of a surgeon, an anaesthetist and a nurse – all expatriates – is currently working in
Somalia alongside Somali medical staff.Trust"One big problem is lack of trust and fear of possible harm," explained Oscar Avogadri, an ICRC doctor. Many of the injured had left
hospitals before their treatment was complete, he said.Others were unable to reach a medical facility owing to the ongoing fighting and generally poor security conditions.Following a series of natural
disasters and the heaviest fighting in a decade, the situation of the civilian population in Somalia has sharply deteriorated. Most people are dependent on humanitarian aid and civilians have also
fled their homes, some of them towards border areas. ConcernRos Armitage, operations manager for conflict at the British Red Cross, said: "The Red Cross is one of the few
humanitarian organisations still working in Somalia but the needs are massive. There were already widespread shortages of essential items before the outbreak of the recent fighting. "With the
number of victims growing, the British Red Cross is deeply concerned about the plight of the civilian population, people wounded in the hostilities, and detainees."The ICRC has been carrying
out humanitarian activities in Somalia since 1977. Each year it distributes relief to more than 500,000 people displaced by the protracted conflict and implements over 300 water, health, agricultural
and livelihood projects.
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