First displaced people arrive at Red Crescent camp in Jordan from Iraq
20 March 2003

A group of 26 Sudanese nationals fleeing the conflict in Iraq have arrived at a Jordanian Red Crescent camp today. They are the first group of displaced people to reach the camp, arriving just hours after the first US missiles struck the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Another 250 Sudanese nationals who had valid documents with them, transited through the camp after receiving assistance from the Red Crescent and will be returning to Sudan.

The camp at Ruweshid, 50 kilometres from the Iraqi border, can accommodate up to 25,000 people seeking shelter. The Jordanian Red Crescent, supported by the International Federation, will provide shelter, water and non-food emergency relief supplies.

“Work has been continuing around the clock in the past few days to finalise preparations at the camp,” said Christer Aqvist, head of the International Federation’s regional delegation in Amman.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent has additional relief supplies and tents in Jordan that can assist another 20,000 refugees in Syria or if need be elsewhere. In total, Red Crescent Societies in the region, including Iraq, will be able to assist 305,000 refugees. An appeal has been launched today by the International Federation for 111 million Swiss francs (US$ 80 million) to support this work.

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

In Amman
Sébastien Carliez, Information Delegate - Tel: + 962 795 900 520

In Geneva
Denis McClean, Head, Media Service - Tel: + 41 22 730 44 28 / + 41 79 217 33 57
Marie-Françoise Borel, Press officer - Tel: + 41 22 730 43 46 / + 41 79 217 33 45
Media Service Duty Phone - Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81

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.