The head of the international Department of the red cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer on the first day of the week, February 23, starts its own two-day visit to the Russian Federation.

As stated Last news in the press service of the organization, head of the ICRC wants to hold a meeting With Russian President Vladimir Putin, head of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Deputy defense Minister Anatoly Antonov and other senior officials.

Press Secretary of the head of state, Dmitry Peskov, for his part, said Last news That Putin's meeting With the head of the ICRC, which has the ability to be discussed the humanitarian situation in South-Eastern Ukraine, worked out.

From the capital of Russia Maurer will go to Kiev, 25-27 February will also hold a dialogue at the highest level. The plans of the head of the organization also includes meetings With representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian communities of the red cross, With which He plans to discuss strengthening cooperation to combat the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.


The President's visit to the capital of Russia was preceded by a dialogue in Geneva With the head of EMERCOM of Russia Vladimir Line last week." They talked for more than an hour discussing the humanitarian situation in the East of Ukraine, How can we help the people of East state that there remains, as well as the refugees in the Russian Federation ", - said in an interview Last news the Head of the ICRC regional delegation for the Russian Federation, Belarus and Moldova Pascal Kutta.

He told about the overall humanitarian situation in the East of Ukraine, and also about what kind of help the residents of the East of Ukraine is needed most." the story is about the most immediate needs of residents, which is already more than one month living in conditions of continuous bombing. Under such needs I have in mind the need for food, hygienic supplies, and of course, water and power. In addition, you need to assist health care institutions, " said Cotta.

according to his statement, the ICRC has assisted 45 clinics in Donetsk and Lugansk regions, using the materials that we had prepared in advance in this region." He also said That the organization was able to supply more than 10 thousand people drinking water.

Kutta described the daily life of the population of Eastern Ukraine, covered by the "full-scale military operations With the use of modern weapons, when literally destroyed everything. "" you have to understand That in winter, If the result of the explosion had shattered Windows, the house gets cold. If there is water, people have nothing to drink. If the power goes out, citizens do not have the ability to heat the water just to wash. That is, there are a number of issues, in Addition to providing food, water and hygiene supplies ", - told the Head of the regional delegation.

How it will look like the future work of the organization, according to him, " it will be Possible to say later, when you made an assessment of the "." It has the ability to be the construction of water towers, pumping stations, Some infrastructure projects, recovery of medical institutions. Maybe that will give people a window glass and similar materials, " explained Kutta.

With all required works in the field, according to him, the current budget of the ICRC mission in Ukraine in the amount of 46 million Swiss francs (almost $ 50 million) may not be enough to help the residents of the East of the state, the organization will prepare an appeal to the financial donors about the rate increase. As explained Kutta, such appeal will be made when the time is right ".

Head of the regional delegation also stated That increasing the payment will increase and the number of employees " mission." today we have on the whole territory of Ukraine has about 170 employees. They are subject to the delegation in Kiev. In addition, We have offices in Kharkiv, Severodonetsk, Ukraine, Mariupol, Lugansk, Donetsk and Odessa. Less than half Of the total number of mission workers in Ukraine are in the East of the state, " He explained.

As for the problem of Ukrainian immigrants, Cutta said That "impressed" by Russia, and called it a good example of the effective work of the authorities in a similar position. According to the summary data, the total number of immigrants who are in the Rostov region, is more than 39 thousand people in the Krasnodar region is about 38 thousand.

"Speaking of tools, we will also need a budget increase and to work in Russia. We would like to increase the number of people who receive our assistance in the territory of the Russian Federation, up to 40 thousand people, but for this we currently insufficient funds ", - He explained.

Kutta also said That the Red Cross plans to continue its humanitarian activities in the Crimea. Now, the ICRC is the only international organization working in the region. From June 2014 in the total difficulties about 50 thousand people in the Crimea received assistance from the ICRC.

sections: Politics