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Red Cross calls attack on aid convoy "attack on humanity"

Xinhua, September 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Tuesday issued a joint statement expressing their outrage over Monday night's air strike on a UN/Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) aid convoy.

"From what we know of yesterday's attack, there has been a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, which is totally unacceptable. This is an attack on humanity," said ICRC president Peter Maurer.

He added that failing to respect and protect humanitarian workers and structures might have serious repercussions on ongoing humanitarian operations in the country, hence depriving millions of people from aid essential to their survival.

According to the joint statement, around 20 civilians and one SARC staff member were killed, as they were unloading trucks carrying vital humanitarian aid.

Initial media reports said that 18 out of 31 trucks carrying life-saving supplies were destroyed by warplanes in Urum al-Kubra, northwest of Aleppo.

A UN spokesperson indicated Tuesday that the convoy had received clearance from all required parties to deliver critical supplies of food, medical supplies as well as non-food items including blankets and clothes to some 78,000 people.

"The Red Cross and Red Crescent is in mourning. In solidarity with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, we are calling on the international community to ensure the protection of humanitarian aid workers and volunteers," said Tadateru Konoe, the president of the IFRC.

According to figures of IFRC, during the past six years, 54 staff and volunteers of SARC have lost their lives whilst carrying out their duties. Endit