The Deputy Director of the International Red Cross for Africa is drawing the attention of the International community to the humanitarian situation in the restive English regions of the country.
Patrick Youssef who ended a week-long evaluation visit to Buea and Mutengene in the South West regions says there’s an urgent need to reach out to the growing number of IDPs fleeing the separatist conflict.
At a press conference in Douala, the Senior Red Cross official explained that he was in the country to better understand the humanitarian crisis which has emanated from the separatist conflict and see how the body can coordinate assistance effort to victims.
Far from Government’s view, Patrick Youssef says the humanitarian situation is disturbing as there’s an acute shortage of food, shelter and health facilities for the growing number of victims.
He emphasized, that, the International Red is more concerned with the humanitarian situation of the conflict and if the warring parties put the interest of the affected victims to heart, it will set the country on a good platform for a peaceful solution to the problem.
“We call on all weapon bearers to respect the lives, properties and dignity of their brothers and sisters in Anglophone regions,” Youssef said.
While awaiting the political dialogue, Youssef has urged Government and Separatists fighters to engage a humanitarian dialogue, insisting the Red Cross is ready to mediate so that IDPs in the forest and other inaccessible zones can have aid.
The Red Cross has reached out to 580 families in the South West regions since it began relief operations in Mutengene and Ekona in the South West regions.
By: Nsoesie Peter
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