Red Cross Assisting Victims of Jos Violence in Nigeria

11 Mar 2010 03:26 Africa/Lagos


Nigeria / Red Cross assisting victims of Jos violence


ABUJA, March 10, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- In the wake of last Sunday's violent attacks south of Jos, in northern Nigeria, the Nigerian Red Cross Society is distributing food and water to about 5,000 displaced people (IDPs) who have taken refuge in various police stations in the area and to some 300 detainees.

An additional 3,000 people have fled from Jos to camps in the neighbouring state of Bauchi, where some 3,800 people displaced by violent clashes that occurred in January were already sheltered. Nigerian Red Cross volunteers are currently registering the newly displaced in Bauchi and assessing their situation in coordination with the National Emergency Management Agency.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is working alongside the Nigerian Red Cross to evaluate further needs of those harmed by the clashes. So far, some 50 individuals have been reported missing. A Red Cross team is collecting their names and photographs with the aim of finding them and reuniting them with their families.

The violent attacks that occurred in five villages 30 kilometres south of Jos in Plateau state left hundreds of people dead and forced thousands more to flee their homes, according to government estimates. Nigerian Red Cross volunteers evacuated 28 injured persons to Jos University Teaching Hospital and gave first aid to 137 wounded detainees at the city's police headquarters.

The ICRC has been working closely with the Nigerian Red Cross for several years and supporting its efforts to prepare for and respond to emergencies of all kinds, including situations of violence.


Source: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)