Libreville/Geneva, 4 February 2015 – While meeting with Gabon head of state Ali Bongo Ondimba, the president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr. Tadateru Konoé, today called on African governments to provide greater support to National Societies so they can truly fulfill their auxiliary role in the face of increasing numbers of disasters and crises.
“The many emergencies currently happening in Africa clearly show that communities should always be at the center of our work. Our volunteers play a crucial role in creating the essential link with these communities so that we can tailor our response to their exact needs,” said President Konoé. “The Red Cross is actively involved in West Africa in the fight against Ebola, in Central Africa with the dramatic humanitarian consequences of the Central African Republic conflict, and in southern Africa, with the massive floods in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. In all these situations our volunteers are making the difference.”
During his visit Mr Konoé also participated in a continental meeting of African French, Spanish and Portuguese-speaking National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (ACROFA). In a globalized world and in a fast growing continent, ACROFA aims to reinforce partnerships between African National Red Cross Societies for them to better respond to the increasing number of crises and emergencies they face.
This solidarity was recently demonstrated during the Ebola virus disease outbreak when several African Red Cross societies sent trained professionals to West Africa to help their sister countries. Burkina Faso, Rwanda and Botswana were among the first to fly in responders. The Gabonese Red Cross Society itself donated medical equipment and logistical support in response to the current conflict in Central African Republic.
While in the region, President Konoé also revealed his growing concern regarding the situation in Central African Republic and its direct impact on neighbouring countries. In the last months the number of refugees fleeing violence in the country has dramatically increased, leaving more than 240,000 people seeking refuge in bordering Cameroon – already dealing with substantial numbers fleeing violence in Nigeria – and thousands more in Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Congo.
“We are deeply concerned by the conflict in Central African Republic and its dramatic humanitarian consequences on civilian populations,” said President Konoe. “The conflict has forced half a million people to flee their homes inside the country and the same number to seek refuge outside their country. These communities are in need of everything. We need to make sure that we help them now.”
The humanitarian situation in the region, caused by the conflict in Central African Republic and other long-running conflicts, are of great concern for the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The consequences of these conflicts pose a major threat to the entire Central African region. “People affected by violence have suffered in silence long enough. We cannot keep our eyes closed to what has become one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. We all need to take action now,” added President Konoé.
In Geneva:
Benoit Carpentier, Team leader, public communications, IFRC Mobile : +41 79 213 24 13 E-mail : benoit.carpentier@ifrc.org
In Yaoundé:
Mirabelle Enaka, Regional communication officer Mobile: +2376 77 09 31 18 E-mail: mirabelle.enaka@ifrc.org