ICRC president cites Russia's special role in meeting humanitarian needs to Donbas residents
MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax) - Russia can play an extremely important role in facilitating the settlement of the humanitarian problems of people who live in eastern Ukraine, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer said in an interview with Interfax on the eve of his visit to Moscow.
"Ukraine is among our largest operations in terms of staff and budget - the 8th biggest worldwide," Maurer said.
"Russia can play a critical role in helping to resolve some of the most pressing humanitarian issues for people living there, as well as supporting those who have fled from the fighting to southern Russia," the ICRC president said.
"Indeed, the situation in Ukraine is high on the agenda for my visit, along with the devastating situation in the Middle East," Maurer said.
"The humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine itself is of serious concern. Despite a new agreement in September to reinforce the cease fire, shelling is occurring on a daily basis, mostly at night but even during the daytime in some areas which were previously calm. This, clearly, is a very worrying development and we are concerned about its effect on civilians trying to go about their daily lives."
"First, the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area in densely populated areas should be avoided," the ICRC president said.
"Second, beyond the immediate effects of the fighting, people living in some villages on the front line are cut off from supplies and from adequate health care - often, the aid we provide is their only means of survival. It's a grim and difficult existence for many," Maurer said.
Maintaining a reliable supply of water and electricity for people living in areas affected by the conflict is a huge humanitarian problem, especially with the freezing winter arriving, the ICRC president said.
"In October, the ICRC exceptionally stepped in to pay electricity bills in Luhansk region in order to resume the water supply to 600,000 people that had been cut off owing to unpaid electricity bills, but it is urgent to find a sustainable solution to ensure people have access to water," Maurer said.
"We are calling upon the parties to intensify their discussions on the provision of and payment for water," the ICRC head said.
The full interview will be published on the website www.interfax.com on November 22.
