The Ukrainian Red Cross of and the International Committee of the Red Cross condemn the attack on the base of the Emergency response team of the Ukrainian Red Cross in Sloviansk

Since April 2022, the premises have been used by the Emergency response team of the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Its volunteers worked tirelessly to help evacuate hundreds of seriously ill patients, the elderly, children and the disabled away from the front lines. The building and vehicles were clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem and the GPS coordinates were duly communicated to the parties.

There were no volunteers in the building at the time of the shelling. But their work to support war-affected communities will be greatly hampered, as buildings and materials are severely damaged. Volunteers of the Emergency response team deliver the most necessary things to residents: food, drinking water, hygiene products, medicine, and also provide support with repairs and restoration of damaged buildings.

International humanitarian law provides protection, among other things, to civilians, as well as medical units and humanitarian organizations that help them personnel and volunteers, vehicles and premises of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the Ukrainian Red Cross. Any attack on them is a violation of international humanitarian law.

The Ukrainian Red Cross and the International Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross work in areas near the front line to help the wounded and those who are not taking part in the war. In order for us to fulfill our mandate, we remind the parties of their obligations to ensure the safety of volunteers, humanitarian personnel, humanitarian facilities and vehicles.