Geneva (ICRC) – Amid the ongoing violence in eastern and southern Ukraine, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is asking donors for an additional 8.2 million Swiss francs (approximately 9 million US dollars).

The ICRC’s response to the current crisis includes support for medical facilities. Eight hospitals in the Luhansk region, in the eastern part of the country, recently received medical supplies provided by the ICRC in cooperation with the Luhansk branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.

"We are ready to provide more aid should the need arise," said Jacques Barberis, deputy head of the ICRC delegation in Kiev. "However, we have to have the cooperation of everyone involved in the violence along with security guarantees to reach some cities, such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, where medical aid is urgently needed."

Since the beginning of May, 1,000 people injured in fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions have been treated in 20 hospitals that have been given medicines required for emergency treatment as well as wound-dressing materials by the ICRC.

With these additional funds, the ICRC will continue to expand its contacts with those who can influence the situation and to respond to the humanitarian needs of civilians, including those arrested, displaced, detained or wounded. It will also further increase its support enabling the Ukrainian Red Cross to strengthen its emergency response services and the level of its preparedness, particularly in terms of administering first aid, providing psychosocial support and restoring contact between family members.

The ICRC has had a permanent presence in Ukraine since the end of 2013. It currently has some 25 staff based in Kiev, Kharkyiv, Donetsk, Odessa and elsewhere in the region.

For further information, please contact:

Marie-Servane Desjonquères, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 79 574 06 36 Twitter @MsdjkrICRC

Ashot Astabatsyan, ICRC Kiev, tel: +380 67 118 24 81