Senior officials to visit Indian disaster zone as Red Cross airlift continues
02 February 2001

Mr. Didier Cherpitel, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, will join the Secretary General of the Indian Red Cross, Dr. Vimala Ramalingam, tomorrow in New Delhi for a field visit to the earthquake devastated town of Bhuj this weekend. Mr. Cherpitel will also meet with Indian officials and express his sympathies to the Indian people on their loss and suffering.

"There is tremendous solidarity among our member National Societies for the Indian Red Cross Society and we are prepared to do all we can to support them and the Indian people during the difficult days and months ahead," he said.

The International Federation airlift into Bhuj and Ahmadabad is continuing. To date, 16 cargo planes have landed (including three in Ahmadabad) with some 600 tonnes of relief items including a field hospital, a mobile clinic and a water purification unit.

Additional aid supplies that have already arrived are on their way include 250,000 blankets, 130 tonnes of high-energy biscuits, 40,000 tarpaulins and 6,500 tents.

The airbridge and additional truck convoys are being supported by over thirty National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from around the world.

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

Bhuj: Jemini Pandya Tel: +41 79 308 9811 Sat phone: 873 761242825

Delhi: Patro Bijoy, information assistant, Tel: +91 11 685 8671/2

Geneva: Christopher Black, Information Officer, Tel.: +41 79 416 3881

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.