Abuja/Geneva (ICRC) - With support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Nigerian Red Cross Society has been assisting people affected by outbreaks of violence in the northern city of Jos in PlateauState. The clashes between Christian and Muslim youths have claimed at least 160 lives over recent days and left thousands more displaced.
"During the violent clashes and their aftermath, Nigerian Red Cross teams administered first aid to over 250 people with machete and gunshot wounds, bruises or fractures, and evacuated 150 casualties to nearby hospitals," said Umar Mairiga, a Nigerian Red Cross disaster management director on the spot in Jos. "In addition, a Red Cross team treated 15 injured persons at the Police Staff College clinic and donated first-aid and dressing materials."
The ICRC and the Nigerian Red Cross also provided emergency food and water supplies for some 290 people held at police headquarters following the violent clashes. Among them were 22 wounded people who received immediate medical attention.
So far about 18,000 people have been displaced from their homes by the clashes. Most have taken refuge in churches, mosques and makeshift camps. The ICRC and the Nigerian Red Cross are assessing the situation and registering displaced persons. They are also searching for people separated from their families by the clashes, especially children and elderly people.
For further information, please contact:
Robin Waudo, ICRC Abuja, tel: +234 703 595 4168
Anna Schaaf, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 22 71 or +41 79 217 32 17
or visit our website: www.icrc.org