The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, on Wednesday, said that around 90 patients from the accidental bombing of an internally-displaced persons camp remained in Rann, out of whom 46 were severely injured and needed to be evacuated to Maiduguri as a matter of urgency.
It lamented that patients were attended to in an open-air space in a precarious environment.
Dr. Laurent Singa, who is an ICRC surgeon in Rann, in a statement by the organisation said that conditions for post-operative care were not adequate.
H said, “We started medical work in Rann shortly after the incident. The conditions for post-operative care are not adequate, so all the patients must be evacuated to Maiduguri as soon as possible.”
Also speaking, Eloi Fillion, who is the Head of Delegation for the ICRC in Nigeria said that it was unacceptable that so many civilians were killed and wounded in the incident.
According to him, all measures must be put in place to ensure that such a tragic incident never happens again.
He however noted that the organization remained committed to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the persons affected by the conflict in the North East.
In the statement, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of all those killed or injured, including those affiliated to the Médecins Sans Frontières.
The statemen quoted Elder (Chief) Bolaji Akpan Anani, who is President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society as having said that the group was shocked by the deaths of civilians including six aid workers from the Nigerian Red Cross following an airstrike on the town of Rann, near the border of Nigeria and Cameroon.
He said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our six colleagues and shocked that an incident of this magnitude has occurred in a civilian area
“Our hearts and prayers are with the bereaved and the wounded as we remain undaunted and focused on our commitment to those who need help
“The six Red Cross workers were in Rann as part of a humanitarian operation bringing food to more than 25,000 displaced people.
“Hours after Tuesday’s airstrike, a surgical team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) deployed to Rann, and another ICRC surgical team in Maiduguri, prepared to support the Ministry of Health in receiving casualties.
“The team in Rann triaged around 100 patients, while nine patients in critical condition were evacuated by helicopter to Maiduguri on Tuesday.
“The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement reminds all that aid workers must be able to operate safely and be allowed to deliver vital assistance where it is needed, without fear of losing their lives.
“Parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure that civilians are not affected by the hostilities.”
and then