New Delhi-Geneva (ICRC) - the Assam
State Branch of the Indian Red Cross Society and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) are delivering aid to over 20,000 people who had to flee their homes when communal violence flared up
in the Udalguri and Darrang districts of Assam.
"The humanitarian situation in the camps housing the displaced is quite worrying," said Thomas Russell, an ICRC delegate who visited the
area.
"The people there had to run for their lives.
They couldn't take anything with them.
Their houses burned down, they lost their cattle, and now they can no longer
fend for themselves." After assessing needs, the Assam Branch of the Indian Red Cross, in cooperation with the ICRC, proceeded with a distribution of blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen sets,
tarpaulins, clothing, hygiene items and other supplies.
Assam Branch Red Cross volunteers also promoted good hygienic practice and proper sanitation.
"Together with our
colleagues from the ICRC, we will keep on monitoring the humanitarian situation of the displaced population," said Ms Renuka Devi Barkatak of the Indian Red Cross.
"That way, we'll be able
to meet their most urgent needs." For further information, please contact:
R.M.
Talukdar, Indian Red Cross Society, Assam State Branch, tel.
0361 2665114 or
09864208272
Stéphanie Bouaziz, ICRC New Delhi, tel.
+91 11 422 110 00 or +91 98 717 98385
Simon Schorno, ICRC Geneva, tel.
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