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Côte d'Ivoire: Red Cross assists victims of violent demonstrations in Abidjan

26-03-2004 News Release 04/44

First-aid teams of the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire, backed up by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have been mobilized in response to urgent needs arising from the violent demonstrations that broke out in Abidjan on 25 March.

Eight teams of 10 paramedics each were deployed in the various neighbourhoods of the city along with two doctors to provide medical assistance for the injured. By early afternoon, more than 45 people had been transported to various medical facilities in the economic capital, some of them after receiving first-aid treatment on the spot. Emergency medical supplies were also delivered to the city’s hospitals.

Approaches have been made to the authorities concerning the difficulties faced by the medical teams in carrying out their duties, especially as regards access to injured persons and the respect to which the injured are entitled.

The ICRC stresses that medical personnel, facilities and vehicles, in particular those displaying the Red Cross emblem, must be spared the effects of violence in all circumstances.

 For further information, please contact:  

 Monique Nanchen, ICRC Abidjan, tel. ++225 22 40 00 70 / 05 39 16 02