The indiscriminate use of force also puts in peril relief personnel and jeopardizes their efforts to help civilians who are in peril. Death of Red Cross and NGO relief workers makes the toll much higher. It is the reality of so much avoidable death and human suffering which makes the case for restricting the availability of weapons which are used to harm civilians. The task before us is great but not insurmountable. Should the same international interest, resources and efforts be dedicated to small arms as the international community has brought to bear in recent years on issues such as landmines, the impact would be considerable.
Action is required to restrict supply as well as demand.
The merchants of death would find their trade less profitable if there was more attention given to the underlying causes of instability and tensions which erupt into armed conflict. The humanitarian community will continue to do its utmost to alleviate suffering wherever and whenever this is possible. This is true now for the situation in the former Eastern Zaire where there is no humanitarian presence in North or South Kivu. The only answer is to stop the madness of warfare and to create the conditions which will give peace a chance. Restricting the lethal trade in small arms will go a long way in creating and nurturing the conditions essential for peace.