Ukraine: safe passage operation out of Mariupol is ongoing

A convoy of buses and ambulances left on 29 April, travelled some 230 kilometres and reached the plant in Mariupol on Saturday morning, local time.

This complex operation is conducted in coordination with the parties to the conflict and the United Nations.

As a neutral and impartial humanitarian intermediary, the ICRC has been facilitating the dialogue between the parties on the safe passage of civilians since late February.

Note to editors and producers:
1. The ICRC is not sharing more details about this operation to avoid jeopardizing the safety of the civilians and the convoy. Relevant local authorities are communicating with people in Mariupol about practical details.

2. Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. A neutral, independent and impartial organization, its mandate stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. it is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and works in more than 100 countries.

3. The ICRC has been working in Ukraine since 2014 with a team of over 600 staff members. Working closely with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and our Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners, we are increasing our response to the vast and growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine.

For further information, please contact:
Chris Hanger (French, English, German), ICRC Kyiv changer@icrc.org, +41 79 731 0403
Mirella Hodeib (Arabic, English, French), ICRC Kyiv mhodeib@icrc.org, + 380 952628422
Galina Balzamova (Russian, English) ICRC Moscow gbalzamova@icrc.org +7 903 545 35 34
Florian Seriex (French, English), ICRC Geneva fseriex@icrc.org, +41 79 574 06 36