Kyrgyzstan: first ICRC relief flight arrives

Kyrgyzstan: first ICRC relief flight arrives in Bishkek

Bishkek (ICRC) – An ICRC flight delivered over a tonne of medical and mortuary supplies to the Kyrgyz capital on Saturday 10 April. The flight left from Peshawar (Pakistan) and landed in Bishkek around 4 p.m. local time. Its contents included a medical kit for treating approximately 50 people wounded by weapons, dressing kits, vaccines and body bags.

"Our first humanitarian flight since the events of last Wednesday complements the assistance that local health facilities have provided, with our support, in response to the needs we have been assessing," said Claudia Azzolini, head of the ICRC mission in Kyrgyzstan. "This delivery will help cover the remaining needs."

The ICRC has been supporting Kyrgyz health facilities since the internal disturbances started in Bishkek, causing the first influx of casualties. The organization has been delivering medicine, blood bags and other medical supplies to local hospitals and, along with the Kyrgyz Red Crescent Society, to the capital's main blood transfusion centre, helping these facilities treat over 500 casualties. On Friday 9 April, an ICRC team that included a health specialist travelled to Talas, in the north of the country, to deliver aid and assess the situation.

The ICRC currently has 35 staff in Kyrgyzstan, based in the capital Bishkek and the south-western city of Osh. Additional staff are expected to arrive in the country in the coming days.

ENDS

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