Central African Republic: More than 30 injured taken to Bambari Hospital
26-06-2014 News Release 14/110
Bangui/Geneva (ICRC) – Tensions remain high in the streets of Bambari following an outbreak of inter-community violence in the region. On 23 June, so many injured patients were arriving at Bambari Hospital that the facility was overwhelmed within a few hours. With support from the Central African Red Cross Society, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) rushed more than 30 people, some with severe injuries, to the hospital. Most were civilians with stab wounds.
"The most fundamental standards of humanity must be upheld: civilians must be spared, and their dignity respected," said Francine Roy, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Bambari. "A number of injured people came directly to the ICRC's offices, or called us by phone. And our staff criss-crossed the city for several hours to attend to people with injuries."
The situation in the city is still very tense. "It is essential that medical staff and other emergency personnel be allowed to work in safety so that they can bring aid in an impartial manner and without discrimination to everyone who needs it," said Ms Roy.
On 23 June, the staff in Bambari Hospital had to work late into the night by torchlight, as there was no fuel for the generator. The following day, the ICRC delivered 200 litres of fuel so that the operating room and X-ray room would be able to function. In addition, medicines and sterile wound-dressing materials were brought in from Bangui to support patient care. Two patients had to be transferred to Bangui's Community Hospital to receive the care they needed. Mortal remains were taken to the hospital mortuary and later handed over to the families.
For further information, please contact:
Germain Mwehu, ICRC Bangui, tel: +236 75 64 30 07
Marie-Servane Desjonquères, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 574 06 36 Twitter @MsdjkrICRC