Assistance to the victims of the civil war in Nigeria

Recommendation 532 (1968)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 24 September 1968 (13th Sitting) (see Doc. 2459, report of the Committee on Population and Refugees). Text adopted by the Assembly on 24 September 1968 (13th Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Expressing its grave concern at the development of the civil war in Nigeria and in particular at the many serious reported cases of starvation, illness and injuries among the civil population of Biafra ;

2. Considering that any further delay in the aid to the victims of the civil war in Nigeria will result in a catastrophe shameful to humanity ;

3. Welcoming the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross, with vigorous support from its National Societies as also of other voluntary organisations, to relieve the suffering of the population, in particular women and children, in the civil war areas ;

4. Grateful for the contributions in cash and in materials which have been made by the governments of the member states of the Council of Europe in support of the first aid measures ;

5. Deploring, however, the fact that the transport of food and medical supplies by the International Committee of the Red Cross and other voluntary organisations for relief in certain areas has been made extremely difficult ;

6. Learning with concern that the International Committee of the Red Cross will be compelled to give up all relief work after 15 October 1968, unless it immediately receives large contributions in cash and in materials ;

7. Deeply distressed by the fact that, as a consequence of this terrible civil war, between 5,000 and 10,000 women and children are dying every day,

8. Recommends the Committee of Ministers :

a to urge member governments to continue and extend food and medical supplies for the victims of the civil war in Nigeria and to support the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross with large financial contributions, and to facilitate its initiatives and those of other voluntary organisations;

b to urge member governments to make prompt and forceful approaches, separately or jointly, to the Nigerian Government and any other appropriate authorities which would permit the rapid transport of food and medical supplies and also medical staff to all areas where there are victims of this civil war.