Red Cross offers assistance to ship's asylum seekers
29 August 2001

IMembers of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are offering humanitarian assistance to 438 asylum seekers on board a Norwegian freighter, the Tampa, which is in waters north-west of the Australian mainland and south of Indonesia.

Both the Australian and Norwegian Red Cross have made offers of assistance to their respective governments.

The President of the International Federation, Dr. Astrid Heiberg, said today: "States owe a duty of protection to these people and it is imperative that a solution is found which can end their suffering and enable them to get entry into the asylum process."

The Australian Red Cross has informed the Australian Government of its wish to provide humanitarian assistance to the people on the boat in accordance with its global humanitarian mandate. The Government has acknowledged this offer and will consider it in the context of the undertaking it has already made to provide humanitarian assistance to the people on the boat and its offer of assistance in supporting the captain and the crew.

Dr. Peter Walker, Head of the International Federation's Regional Delegation for South Asia said that the Red Cross Red Crescent network in the region would be activated to respond to the needs of the asylum seekers once a humanitarian intervention becomes possible. "It is important that immediate needs are met. Wherever these vulnerable people finally put into port, we can be there to support and assist the appropriate authorities in rendering assistance," said Dr. Walker.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Geneva
Denis McClean, Head of Media Service Tel.: +41 22 730 4428/ Mobile +41   79 217 3357

Jemini Pandya, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4570 / Mobile +41 79 2173374

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.