Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Gullet. KRCS staff in Mandera came under fire Friday as heavy fighting on the Kenyan border with Somalia and Ethiopia entered the third day February 25, 2011. FILE
By WALTER MENYA
Friday, February 25, 2011
According to the KRCS Secretary General Abbas Gullet, their offices in the border town were hit by gunshots.
There were six members of staff holed up in the offices at the time but Mr Gullet said there were no casualties in the incident.
"Several gunshots flying in the air across the border have hit the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) offices in Mandera, where six members of staff are holed in, like many other residents of Mandera town,” Mr Gullet said in a statement.
The KRCS boss, however, reported that there has been a female casualty who has been reported dead at Border Point One and 10 other victims are being treated at Mandera District Hospital.
"The fighting began at 10 am today (Friday), and gunshots have since rocked the town, keeping residents and refugees indoors,” he said.
Mr Gullet narrated that he could hear gunshots from the background when he spoke to KRCS branch coordinator in Mandera at 3pm.
The continued fighting, he added, has put in danger the lives of humanitarian workers and other residents of Mandera town.
“We have reported this latest incident to the Government and hope the KRCS offices, which have a Red Cross emblem flag hoisted on the rooftop, will be protected. The Red Cross emblem is a protected symbol, under the Geneva Conventions, and all warring parties are required to respect it,” he said.
In the recent past, and in the current situation, KRCS and other humanitarian agencies have been assisting the populations fleeing conflict in Somalia. Hundreds of refugees are now scattered on the Kenyan side of the border, as it is risky to gather in camps until fighting ceases.
Mr Gullet said the fighting has delayed humanitarian response as refugees who require food and shelter cannot access any relief aid under the prevailing situation.
Source: Daily Nation