Red Cross Red Crescent calls for urgent action to avert humanitarian crisis
8 October 2001

A rapid and urgent response is required from the donor community if humanitarian aid is to reach Afghans fleeing military strikes in time, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warned today.

"Although donors have responded generously with material aid, we need more cash in order for us to get aid to people when they need it most. Now that air strikes have begun on Afghanistan, there is an urgent need for action - action that will ensure people are protected adequately from the bitter winter that is approaching," says Jean Ayoub, Director of Disaster Operations at the International Federation.

Other essential needs for the overall Red Cross Red Crescent operation include replenishing the 48 health clinics run by the Afghan Red Crescent with support from the International Federation. Despite the crisis, these clinics have continued operating. However, medical supplies will last for less than a month and the clinics will soon need restocking. A plane carrying 50 medical kits that could treat 250,000 people for between 3-6 months, is due to leave for Pakistan in the coming days. It is the first phase of a restocking plan for the Red Crescent health clinics inside Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, contact has been made with Kabul today confirming the 10 health Red Crescent clinics in the capital are still operating, with life in the city resuming as normal after the overnight air strikes. Staff in Herat, Mazar-i-sharif and Kandahar, where there are more clinics, have also been contacted.

"We are doing everything we can to make sure that help is there not only for refugees fleeing Afghanistan, but for those who remain behind. The support our programmes provide there is critical and we need to ensure that help will continue," says Satoshi Sugai, programme coordinator for Afghanistan at the International Federation. Last year alone, the 48 health clinics treated 1.9 million people.

The International Federation has begun to implement plans to aid up to 500,000 people both inside and outside Afghanistan by pre-positioning relief supplies in the countries surrounding it. Last week, it increased an appeal to 40 million Swiss francs for a relief programme providing shelter, food, health care and clean water and sanitation to Afghan refugees as well as continuing health care for those who stay behind.

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

Geneva
Denis McClean, Head, Media Service: Tel: +41 22 730 4428// + 41 79 416 3881
Jemini Pandya, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4570/ + 41 79 217 3374

Islamabad
Patrick Fuller, Regional Information Delegate: Tel: + 92 320 4506 285
Andre Neascu, Information Delegate: Tel: + 92 300 8568 202
Eva Calvo, Information Delegate: Tel: + 92 300 8568 201

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.