RCRC Movement deplores attack on aid workers in Myanmar

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement said on Wednesday they are deeply saddened to learn that two volunteers from the Myanmar Red Cross Society were wounded yesterday when an aid convoy came under fire. The eight vehicle convoy, which was marked with the Red Cross emblem, was evacuating civilians displaced by fighting in the Kokang region of northern Shan state.
One volunteer suffered head wounds and the other abdominal wounds. They were taken to Kunlong public hospital, where one of the volunteers underwent surgery overnight, and later transferred to Lashio hospital. Their medical condition is described as stable, the RCRC Movement said in a common press release.
Professor Tha Hla Shwe, President of the Myanmar Red Cross, said: "It is very sad to hear that our Red Cross volunteers were wounded while carrying out a strictly humanitarian function to help the victims of this fighting. The volunteers and convoy were marked with the protective red cross emblem. They should be respected and not be the object of attack." The Myanmar Red Cross is providing assistance to more than 3,000 people displaced by intense fighting that broke out in Shan state in early February. Large numbers of displaced families have arrived in Lashio, Pyin-Oo-Lwin and Mandalay.
Red Cross volunteers are also donating blood to injured people in Pyin-Oo-Lwin. In addition, they are providing household items and family kits to those displaced and in need. Red Cross volunteers in the area are receiving additional first aid kits to assist the injured together with red cross flags and vests for the volunteers' clear identification and protection.
The Myanmar Red Cross Society, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) call on all parties involved in the fighting to respect the work of the Red Cross and guarantee the safety of aid workers and their unimpeded, immediate access to people in need of humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the Movement calls upon all parties to spare all civilians and refrain from targeting civilian areas.