Hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk: ICRC

KABUL (Pajhwok): Hundreds of thousands of civilians are at risk as fighting escalates in the capitals of three Afghan provinces and other cities, an international humanitarian organisation warned on Tuesday.

Kunduz, Lashkargah, Kandahar and other cities have been in the grip of fierce fighting over the past few days. Many civilians, in addition to suffering casualties, have been displaced.

In a statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urged both parties to the conflict to exercise immediate restraint.

The ICRC called for civilians and vital infrastructure such as hospitals to be protected from attack and any collateral damage caused by fighting in populated areas.

Since August 1, the statement said, 4,042 patients wounded by weapons had been treated at 15 ICRC-supported health facilities, an indication of the intensity of the recent violence.

The head of the ICRC delegation in Afghanistan said: ““We are seeing homes destroyed, medical staff and patients put at tremendous risk, and hospitals, electricity and water infrastructure damaged.”

Eloi Fillion noted: “The use of explosive weaponry in cities is having an indiscriminate impact on the population. Many families have no option but to flee in search of a safer place. This must stop.”

Even as medical services are heavily strained due to damage to health facilities and a lack of staff, fierce clashes in Kunduz City, Lashkargah and other cities over the last few days have injured hundreds of civilians.

The statement added electricity was out across several contested cities and water supply systems were barely operational in some places.

“Many families are trying to leave but cannot find transport to escape or simply do not have the financial means,” the organisation continued.

It said the ICRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) were doing all they could to evacuate the wounded and transport the mortal remains of those killed as a result of the conflict.

In July alone, the ICRC helped nearly 13,000 patients suffering from weapon-related injuries across the country, and the number could rise this month.

Fillion stressed: “Health-care facilities, medical workers and ambulances must be spared at all cost.

“We also call on all fighting parties to allow humanitarian organisations like the ICRC and ARCS to safely evacuate the injured and bring much-needed assistance to the civilian population.”

pr/mud