Red Cross offers to help Ships Asylum-Seekers

The President of the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent societies, Dr Astrid Heiberg said today: "States owe a duty of protection to these people and it is imperative that a solution is found which can end their suffering and enable them to get entry into the asylum process."

The passengers are believed to be originally from Afghanistan and are on board the cargo-ship which is in the sea north-west of mainland Australia and south of Indonesia. Both the Australian Red Cross and their counterparts in the Norwegian Red Cross have advised their respective governments of their willingness to aid the refugees.

The Australian Red Cross has informed the Australian Government of its wish to provide humanitarian assistance to the people on the boat in accordance with its global humanitarian mandate. The Government has acknowledged this offer and will consider it in the context of the undertaking it has already made to provide humanitarian assistance to the people on the boat and its offer of assistance in supporting the captain and the crew.

Dr Peter Walker of the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies IFRC, said that the Red Cross/Red Crescent network in the region would be activated to respond to the needs of asylum seekers once a humanitarian intervention becomes possible.

Dr Walker who is the Head of the Regional Delegation of South Asia for the IFRC, went on to say: "It is important that immediate needs are met. Wherever these vulnerable people finally put into port, we can be there to support and assist the appropriate authorities in rendering assistance."

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