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| There are SOS Children's Villages in Cairo, Alexandria, and Tanta, Egypt |
February 3, 2011: The SOS Children's Villages in Cairo and Alexandria were broken into Tuesday. Although children and SOS Mothers are unharmed and no damage to the SOS Villages has been reported, the Village Director in Alexandria was injured while forcing trespassers from the premises. He later returned to the SOS Village after receiving treatment at a local hospital, said Mr. Amr Aboelazayem, National Director of SOS Children's Villages in Egypt.
Groups of young men scaled the fence and entered the SOS Children's Villages in Cairo and Alexandria on Tuesday. They were quickly ousted from both SOS Villages but, in the process, the Village Director of Alexandria was injured. He suffered a wound which required stitches in the hospital. All the children and SOS Mothers are safe and unharmed, and no structural damages are reported. The situation has calmed down at the two locations, but as the general situation in Egypt worsens, SOS staff have begun to store food in anticipation of potential shortages and limited access to markets.
Insecurity increases in Egypt
Looting of businesses, residences and banks increased on Sunday and Monday. Citizens are wandering the streets with firearms and have organized neighborhood patrols. Violence has spilled over into side streets.
Demonstrations still planned as crisis deepens
Estimates of 8 to 11 million protesters are reported to have gathered across Egypt on Tuesday, with 1 million in Cairo at Tahrir Square. Marches took place in Alexandria and several cities throughout the country. The military has stated that it would not use force against protesters unless provoked.
Supporters and opponents of President Hosni Mubarak clashed in Tahrir Square on Tuesday causing many injuries. Some protesters were even killed by gunfire. Army tanks are reportedly being used to separate rival demonstrators and personnel have fired warning shots in the air.
Anti-government protesters have called for a so-called departure demonstration on Friday and a march to the presidential palace in the capital's eastern Heliopolis suburb after midday prayers. The police have been redeployed across the country in preparation for the demonstration.