1,500 Deaths Recorded In 2017 By Explosives – ICRC

Red Cross Reveals Figure Of Deaths Through Explosive Devices

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), today said at least 1,500 deaths were recorded in 2017 from explosives, while 66 per cent of the deaths were civilians.

This was noted by Myriam El Kholi, Deputy Head of Delegation, ICRC Nigeria, at the Surgical Skills for Casualties of Armed Violence, Weapon Wounded Surgery Course in Abuja.

She said the armed conflict in the North-East and Middle belt has left many in need of humanitarian services.

She said that the mortality rate of persons injured by weapons is on the increase with inadequate resources and skills.

She noted that one of the biggest reason for this is the state of the healthcare system, hence, the need to equip and train medical professionals on life saving and surgical skills.

“In the North-East where access to healthcare has not always been a strong point, the armed conflict has in some areas made it a near impossibility or a process wrought with challenges of security.

” The evolution of weapons and its use in the crises has also constituted a challenge to healthcare as hospitals have been shut down and staff evacuated in a bid to preserve life.

“This is why it is important that the available medical professionals are able to cope in an efficient and lifesaving manner with the stream of weapons wounded casualties coming in,’’ she said.

El Kholi said the seminar was the 8th since it began in 2012, and it had trained over 400 healthcare professionals with skills in surgical and trauma management.

“In the past 30 years, ICRC had worked in Nigeria within its mandate to protect and assist victims of armed conflict and violence.

“In the North-East, the desire to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to best healthcare, led ICRC to support 20 primary healthcare centres in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

“We also offer first aid training programmes that cut across 17 states in the North-East, Middle Belt and Niger Delta,” she said.