Russian tragedy, how Ossetia hospitals are coping, Red Cross report

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 04 Sep 2004 - 21:00 PDT

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International Committee of the Red Cross continues to provide assistance to hospitals.

As the full scale of the tragedy unfolds, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) teams this morning continued to bring aid to the hospitals treating the victims of the hostage taking.

At Beslan hospital, doctors today reported that basic needs were covered. Many wounded had been evacuated to neighbouring Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia, as well as to Moscow.

In Vladikavkaz this morning, the ICRC delivered additional aid to the Republican hospital and is currently visiting other medical structures in the area to assess their needs. A truck containing medical stocks including anaesthetics, antibiotics, syringes, infusions, sterile bandages, surgical material and bed linen has arrived in Vladikavkaz. These materials will be distributed according to each hospital's specific needs.

The Russian Red Cross continues to provide psychological assistance to the families of the victims.

The ICRC wishes to express its hard felt sympathy to the victims and their families at this tragic time.

For further information, please contact:

Vincent Lusser, ICRC Moscow, tel. +7 095 926 54 26 or +7 095 79 631 22
Anastasia Isyuk, ICRC northern Caucasus, tel. +7 903 545 35 34
ICRC Press Office, tel. +41 22 730 23 09
International Committee of the Red Cross