16 September 2011, Geneva - The Movement of the Red Cross Red Crescent is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Hakam Sibai, one of three first aiders who succumbed to his severe injuries after a Red Crescent ambulance was struck by 31 bullets in the city of Homs on Wednesday 7th September.
The incident took place while the volunteers were on duty taking an injured person to hospital. Two other Syrian Red Crescent volunteers were wounded in the incident.
Every day, volunteers and staff of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent provide critical humanitarian assistance and work to save the lives of people across the country, including in the remotest areas of Syria.
The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies join together in calling all those involved in the violence to strictly respect and facilitate the work of the Red Crescent staff and volunteers at all times in order to enable them to carry out their urgent humanitarian mission in an impartial manner.
The Movement expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the family of Hakam Sibai and its full solidarity with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society.