Muristek
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff were preparing on Thursday, March 31, for the evacuation of civilians from the southern port city of Mariupol after Russia agreed to open a route on Friday. Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk said the ICRC had received confirmation from Russia that it was ready to open a humanitarian corridor from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia, about 130 miles northwest of Mariupol. Forty-five buses were being sent to the city to collect evacuees, Vereshchuk said. Routes were also agreed upon for aid deliveries and evacuations from the southern cities of Melitopol and Energodar, she added. Footage released by the ICRC on Thursday shows vehicles leaving Dnipro for a pre-positioning area in Zaporizhzhia, the humanitarian organization said. Staff member Lucile Marbeau said two trucks had been loaded with food, medicine, and relief items for civilians who choose to stay in Mariupol. “For logistics and security reasons, the team is ready to lead the safe passage operation tomorrow, Friday, provided all the parties agree to the exact terms, including the route, the start time, and the duration. It’s desperately important that this operation takes place. The lives of tens of thousands of people in Mariupol depend on it,” the ICRC said. Credit: ICRC via Storyful
Most Read