Nairobi/Geneva (ICRC) – During the month of February armed clashes in Mogadishu have increased in frequency and intensity, leaving dozens of people dead and many wounded and driving civilians from their homes.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 430 war-wounded have been admitted to two of the city's three hospitals.

In February alone, Keysaney hospital, run by the Somali Red Crescent Society, and Medina hospital have admitted more than 200 wounded, including at least 30 women and 24 children.

The death toll, estimated at several dozens, cannot be confirmed.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned about the plight of civilians caught up in the fighting and calls on all warring parties to comply with the rules of international humanitarian law, and to take constant care in the conduct of military operations to safeguard the lives and dignity of the civilian population.

The organization is also worried about the fate of people who have allegedly been arrested in connection with the conflict and whose whereabouts remain unknown to their families.

The ICRC urges all parties to take every measure to ensure that the wounded have access to medical facilities and that humanitarian workers, medical staff, hospitals and clinics are spared and protected.

The ICRC has stepped up its regular support to Keysaney and Medina hospitals, where medical staff is working tirelessly to save lives under difficult circumstances.

It is also providing support for other medical facilities in the Somali capital.

The ICRC has been in Somalia since 1977 and is one of the few humanitarian organizations still working in the country.

It provides more than 500,000 displaced people with aid each year, runs over 300 water, health and agricultural projects and helps bring children who have been separated from their parents by the conflict back together with their families.

In central and southern Somalia, the ICRC provides medical facilities, including the three hospitals in Mogadishu and 23 clinics run by the Somali Red Crescent Society, with surgical equipment, medicines and training for doctors and nurses.

For further information, please contact:
Pascal Hundt, ICRC Somalia/Nairobi, tel.

+254 20 271 9301
Marco Yuri Jiménez Rodríguez, ICRC Geneva, tel.

+41 79 217 3217

Source: ICRC