Geneva/Мoscow, 10 April 2015 – The second phase of provision of humanitarian assistance to displaced civilians from eastern Ukraine is starting in Rostov Region. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has handed over to the local branch of the Russian Red Cross (RRC) food parcels and hygiene kits for further distribution. In April alone, 12,000 most vulnerable displaced people will receive them. The ICRC plans to provide such assistance every month.
Tens of thousands of people who fled hostilities in eastern Ukraine found refuge in the south of Russia. Many of them have been far away from home for many months and are in need of such basic items as food, clothing and hygiene kits. "These people often stay with relatives and friends, but the resources of their hosts are limited," said Pascal Cuttat, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in Moscow. "This is where the ICRC comes in, providing assistance in cooperation with branches of the Russian Red Cross and complementing the efforts of local authorities."
Last week, the displaced people in Krasnodar Krai and Adygea already started benefiting from the ICRC assistance. It will target 11,500 people in these regions. The primary recipients of this aid are multi-child and single-parent families, the elderly, families who count disabled people among their members and others.
Besides, anticipating the return of displaced people to places of their permanent residence in eastern Ukraine, the ICRC, in support with the local authorities, launched a public awareness campaign on hazards of mines and unexploded ordnance in the eastern Ukraine in order to prevent civilian casualties. People are informed of the way mines and unexploded ordnance look and of behavior to adopt to avoid accidents.
In addition to relief efforts, the ICRC, together with the RRC Tracing and Information Centre, helps to restore contacts between family members separated as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.
For further information please contact : Victoria Zotikova, ICRC Moscow, tel. +7 903 545 35 34 Zara Amatuni, ICRC Geneva, tel. +41 22 730 25 02