ICRC calls for immediate access to Mariupol to facilitate safe passage of civilians and wounded

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for an immediate and unhindered access to the city of Mariupol to facilitate the safe passage of civilians and the wounded out of the city.

The relevant statement was made by the ICRC’s press service, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“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,” the report states.

Since the end of February, the ICRC has been continuously working to reach civilians in need, in Mariupol and other cities where civilians are trapped.

The ICRC has repeatedly called for the voluntary safe passage of civilians out of these areas and for impartial humanitarian relief to be allowed in, urging for respect for the principle of humanity and international humanitarian law.

“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. Teams are in place to facilitate safe passage operations as soon as such agreement is reached and security guarantees are provided,” the ICRC noted.

A reminder that about 1,000 civilians and Ukrainian servicemen, including about 500 wounded, are staying within the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. The Ukrainian side demands that Russia immediately ensure a humanitarian corridor.

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