OFFICIAL POSITION REGARDING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UKRAINIAN RED CROSS IN THE KHERSON REGION

The media published an interview in which the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that there is no Red Cross in the Kherson region. In response to the accusations, we would like to emphasize once again that the Ukrainian Red Cross does not have access to territories not under the control of Ukraine, as we are a Ukrainian humanitarian organization that can conduct its activities in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and exclusively on the territory controlled by Ukraine.

After Russian troops blew up the dam of the Kakhovskaya HPP, volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross immediately began evacuating people, including those with reduced mobility, from the territories under the control of the Ukrainian government. The evacuation was carried out jointly with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine.

Currently, 6 crews, which are more than 50 volunteers, rapid response units of the Ukrainian Red Cross, together with rescue services continue to evacuate people. 140 people have already been evacuated, most of whom are disabled. These are the people who could not leave their homes on their own, and our help saved their lives. They were sent to places of temporary accommodation located in Ukraine.

The delivery of food and drinking water is also organized for people. In addition, more than 200 volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions provide humanitarian aid to the victims: drinking water, food, and clothing in places where evacuees are temporarily accommodated and at train stations. If necessary, they also provide first aid and psychological first aid. We continue to work 24/7, because the most important thing for us is to save people's lives.

We also maintain contact with international partners, talk about needs and call on them to help Ukrainians.

We emphasize once again that the Ukrainian Red Cross is a Ukrainian humanitarian organization, in which employees and volunteers are Ukrainians. We help people in all emergency situations, primarily those who need help the most. Adhering to the legislation of Ukraine, our volunteers help only in territories controlled by Ukraine. We coordinate all rescue operations with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine and other bodies of the central and local authorities of Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we have already helped more than 10 million people.

Our partners from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and benefactors from around the world help us in our response. We report on all support and funds received from benefactors and partners to help Ukraine on the official website.

We are close!