Red Cross calls for humanitarian corridor for Ukraine’s Mariupol

Kyiv, Apr 24 (EFE).- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Sunday called for a humanitarian corridor to be set up in Mariupol to guarantee the evacuation of civilians and wounded from the besieged Ukrainian contested port city and the Azovstal steel plant, the city’s last defense stronghold.

“The ICRC is deeply alarmed by the situation in Mariupol, where the population is in dire need of assistance,” the ICRC said in a statement.

“Immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access is urgently required to allow for the voluntary safe passage of thousands of civilians and hundreds of wounded out of the city, including from the Azovstal plant area,” it added.

Since late February, the ICRC has been working to help civilians trapped in Mariupol, which has been surrounded by Russian troops since the early days of the February 24 Russian invasion.

The international committee said that it had repeatedly called for a safe passage for civilians in the conflict zone, as well as to ensure access of humanitarian aid there.

“As a neutral and impartial intermediary, the ICRC stands ready to help the parties to the conflict agree practical and workable arrangements to ensure the voluntary evacuation of those in need,” it added.

“Teams are in place to facilitate safe passage operations as soon as such agreement is reached and security guarantees are provided,” it concluded.EFE

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