Côte d’Ivoire: ICRC and Ivorian Red Cross treat 80 and help thousands in Duékoué

Geneva/Abidjan (ICRC) – The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire have treated almost 80 people injured during recent clashes in Duékoué, in the west of the country, where they are continuing to help 12,000 displaced persons.

Despite difficult security conditions, volunteers from the Ivorian Red Cross have been attending to casualties day and night since violence broke out in the town. "We've been working continuously since Monday. At the same time, I'm also trying to find part of my own family," said Ivorian Red Cross volunteer and first-aid coordinator Christine Dehe Mahan.

The ICRC has provided medical supplies for the treatment of casualties at the hospital and other medical facilities in the town. Meanwhile, Red Cross first-aiders have delivered to the morgue the bodies of 14 people killed during the clashes

The number of people fleeing the violence has swamped the Catholic mission in Duékoué. "We estimate that some 12,000 people are spending the night at the mission, but the number changes with the situation," explained ICRC delegate Edmond Corthésy. An assessment of the situation is under way in two other areas of Duékoué, where displaced persons have just arrived.

Today, the Red Cross has installed several dozen large tents for displaced families. The organization will be distributing essential supplies to some 5,000 people over the next few days. ICRC teams have repaired the pump that serves the water tower at the Catholic mission, and plan to provide displaced people with a 45,000-litre water reservoir.

Following the first clashes north of Duékoué at the beginning of December, the ICRC and the Ivorian Red Cross had already built 16 latrines and 10 showers, repaired water points and handed out blankets and plastic sheeting. This type of assistance will be extended to meet the needs of the second wave of displaced persons.

Since 26 November 2010, the Red Cross has treated almost 670 casualties and evacuated some 300 of them to medical facilities. The ICRC has donated 18 dressing kits to 12 medical facilities, each kit containing enough supplies for staff to treat 100 casualties. The two organizations are also helping displaced persons elsewhere, particularly in Bangolo, which lies to the north of Duékoué.

The ICRC has visited over 370 detainees right across the country. The organization is also helping Ivorian refugees recently arrived in Liberia by providing water, covering basic hygiene needs and helping the refugees re-establish contact with family members still in Côte d'Ivoire.

For further information, please contact:
Kelnor Panglungtshang, ICRC Abidjan, tel: +225 09 399 404
Steven Anderson, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 20 11 or +41 79 536 92 50