ICRC News Release No. 08/81

12 May 2008

  
 

Sudan: Medical aid for victims of fighting in Khartoum

 
 

Geneva/Khartoum (ICRC) – In response to fighting over the past two days in Omdurman, part of greater Khartoum, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delivered medical supplies to the main hospital there on Sunday.

 
 

An ICRC team, accompanied by members of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, reached the Omdurman hospital on Sunday afternoon thanks to cooperation from the authorities, who had ensured easy, unimpeded access. The team delivered medical supplies sufficient to treat some 100 wounded patients. These included surgical material, dressing sets and medicines. The hospital had so far admitted 87 wounded, 51 of whom remain hospitalized, and received 24 bodies.

 
 

“Dozens of people have been injured, but exact figures are very difficult to estimate,” said Cleto Chashi, the ICRC’s medical coordinator in Sudan, who was part of the team. “The fighting has been taking place in densely populated areas, and more wounded may arrive at hospitals in the coming hours.” ICRC staff were preparing to deliver further medical supplies on Monday to two other hospitals, in western and northern Omdurman, which could not be reached on Sunday because of the security situation in those areas.

 
 

Since fighting erupted on Saturday, the Sudanese Red Crescent has mobilized some 120 volunteers, who have given first aid and helped evacuate the wounded and the dead, showing great dedication to their humanitarian mission. The ICRC provided Red Crescent teams with first-aid kits, stretchers, fuel, body bags and jackets marked with the red crescent emblem. ICRC staff and vehicles will continue to support the volunteers’ efforts in the coming days.

 
 

The ICRC reminds the parties involved in the fighting of their obligation to make a distinction between individuals taking a direct part in hostilities and individuals not involved. It urges them to take every precaution to spare the civilian population and civilian property, and to protect them against the effect of hostilities.