The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said urban violence contributed to high rate of homicide, sexual violence and destruction of health services in the Niger Delta.
It said violence dominated the waterways and urban settlements.
Speaking yesterday at a workshop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Dissemination Field Officer for ICRC Port Harcourt Sub-delegation, Mr. David-West Egede, said ICRC activities in the Niger Delta focused on strengthening the resilience of communities affected by violence.
He said the group ensured the promotion of respect for humanitarian principles and support for the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS).
Egede said 516 persons in 22 communities in the Niger Delta were trained in first aid, adding that lack of safe access to health care was one of the most significant but unrecognised humanitarian challenges in armed violence.
He said: “Violent communal clashes have devastating consequences ranging from displacement to loss of life and property and long-term psychosocial impact.”