International Federation denies abducted report and regrets harassment in Harare
27 April 2001

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies today denied a local press report that the son of its Head of Regional Delegation for Southern Africa, based in Harare, Zimbabwe, had been abducted on Wednesday. The family member concerned was assaulted and robbed by unknown assailants and was brought yesterday to Geneva for medical treatment.

The Head of the International Federation's Africa Department, Mr. Bekele Geleta, said today it was a matter of deep regret that there appears to be a campaign of harassment against the International Federation's Delegation whose premises were recently invaded by the War Veterans with threats against some expatriate staff and family.

He confirmed that the International Federation has passed on two security reports on these incidents to the police and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Family members of delegates working for the International Federation have been re-located.

The International Federation has had a Delegation in Harare since 1985, supporting humanitarian assistance programmes in ten countries throughout the region. Most recently, the Delegation has played a vital support role in response to the floods which affected Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Support is also provided to thousands of refugees in Zambia and Namibia. The Delegation is also deeply involved in implementing programmes to tackle HIV/AIDS in the region which is the worst-affected on the continent.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Denis McClean, Head of Media Service, Tel.: +41 22 730 4428/ + 41 79 217 3357

Marie-Francoise Borel, Information Officer Tel: +41 22 730 4346/ + 41 79 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.