Noora Kero in Dakar
The Nigerian Red Cross, with 70 of its volunteers, is working around the clock to help people wounded and displaced by post-election violence in the city of Jos, capital of Plateau State.
Violence broke out between supporters of the two main political parties following local government elections in the city on 27 November. The leadership of the two parties belong to each of the area’s major religious groups.
More than 60 people have been reported dead and more than 300 have been injured. Many churches, mosques and houses have been burned, and thousands of people have fled from their homes. More than 11,450 displaced people have taken refuge in six different camps where Nigerian Red Cross volunteers are providing humanitarian assistance such as first aid.
Curfew declared
After three days of violence, tension has slightly decreased in Jos due to the reinforcement of the security by the government and the declaration of a curfew.
“The humanitarian situation is beginning to be of serious concern as more and more injured persons are being discovered and evacuated to hospitals,” says Attah Benson, head of the Nigerian Red Cross’ disaster management department.
“At the same time, the number of displaced people continues to increase at the camps where water and sanitation facilities are insufficient and people are in serious need of food and other relief items.”
Receiving treatment
Nigerian Red Cross emergency and first aid teams from other states across the country are on standby to be deployed in support of the Plateau team as the situation evolves. Any eventual deployment will take place in coordination with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ regional office in Lagos.
A total of 147 injured persons are currently receiving treatment at eight different hospitals in the Plateau State. The Nigerian Red Cross has donated dressings and materials from its first aid stocks to support the hospitals.
Nigerian Red Cross teams are evacuating those in critical condition to the University of Jos teaching hospital, where better facilities are available. Red Cross Red Crescent vehicles have also been deployed from other states to reinforce the facilities in Jos.
The Nigerian government is providing temporary shelter and protection to more than 4,000 displaced people in police and military barracks and other government premises.