OCHA on Sierra Leone Government request to ICRC to withdraw its delegates

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is very concerned by a report that ICRC had to withdraw its delegates from Freetown following a request to do so by a member of the Sierra Leonean Government. OCHA shares ICRC's regret of this development given the protective role that ICRC was playing for civilians in its compound.

It is important for all parties involved in the conflict in Sierra Leone to recognise the neutrality and impartiality of international humanitarian organisations and agencies and the critical relief and protective services that they provide. The civilians in Freetown continue to bear the brunt of the violence, making humanitarian assistance rendered by organisations like ICRC all the more vital.

OCHA

14 January 1998