Umar Idris Shuaibu – Kano
The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, has expressed her deep concern regarding the intolerable level of human suffering in Gaza.
She is currently in Gaza to advance efforts that alleviate the devastating humanitarian toll the ongoing conflict is taking on civilians.
In a statement issued by the ICRC’s team in Gaza and disseminated to the press by Aliyu Dawobe, Public Relations Officer, ICRC, Abuja Nigeria, President Spoljaric called for the protection of civilians in Gaza and respect for the laws of war.
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She also reiterated the ICRC’s call for the immediate release of hostages.
During her visit to Gaza, President Spoljaric will spend time with the ICRC team on the ground and visit the European Hospital, where ICRC medical teams have been conducting life-saving surgery alongside local healthcare workers.
“The ICRC has been providing medical and other supplies to healthcare facilities as well as livelihood support to displaced people.
“The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has been providing ambulance and other core healthcare services in extremely dangerous circumstances in Gaza since the fighting escalated,” It revealed.
According to the statement, many humanitarian and health workers, including members of the PRCS, have been tragically killed in the conduct of their duties over the last weeks.
“The purpose of my visit is to advance efforts that alleviate the desperate humanitarian situation.
“I will convey my deep concern for the plight of civilians and underline the ICRC’s utmost commitment to doing everything we can to ease their suffering.
“We have urgently appealed for civilian life to be protected and respected on all sides, in line with international humanitarian law, and I reiterate that appeal today.
“An unimpeded and regular flow of aid must be allowed to enter Gaza. All those deprived of liberty must be treated humanely.
The statement, however, noted that the last week provided a small degree of humanitarian respite, a positive glimpse of humanity that raised hopes around the world that a path to reduced suffering could now be found.
President Mirjana Spoljaric maintained that as a neutral actor, the ICRC stands ready to support further humanitarian agreements that reduce suffering and heartbreak.
It is worth noting that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial, and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.