The following comes from the Salesian News Agency:
Confirmation of the bloody events taking place in the Ivory Coast comes from the “Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus” Salesian community, which is the only Catholic mission in Duékoué. Conflicts between the two faction in the field have now reached the level of the rounding up and killing of adversaries.
Almost single-handedly the Salesian house is providing refuge and help but the situation seems to be developing into a humanitarian crisis, following attacks, witnessed by the Salesian missionaries by supporters of Ouattara, who for months has been in contention with Gbagbo for the Presidency of the country.
Yesterday afternoon, 30 March, the “Carrefour” district was completely looted, when attackers forced residents to leave their houses and all their belongings behind. The houses were then ransacked and set on fire.
Many witnesses report that the refugees were told to go to the Salesian mission. These same witnesses also speak about young men being executed on suspicion of taking part in the fighting or of belonging to the local armed militia.
The flow of refugees is extraordinary. The arrival of those from the Carrefour district together with those from other parts of the city means that the courtyard of the parish has quickly become totally occupied. The Salesians are no longer able to offer the least covering and during the night it rained for about 40 minutes. In addition, for three days the mission has been without electricity or running water.
To cope with this tragic situation, the Salesians and the refugees are in urgent need of help from the main humanitarian aid agencies.
More on the tragedy here.
No comments:
Post a Comment