International Red Cross says Belarusian society did not warn about visit to occupied Luhansk and Donetsk

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has stated that the Belarusian Society did not warn about visits to the temporarily occupied Luhansk and Donetsk.

The IFRC published a statement on its website.

The organisation added that they had not participated in any activities, including those with children.

These visits by the Belarusian side were not coordinated with other organisations, as required by the organisation's internal rules.

The IFRC has referred the case to the Compliance and Mediation Committee, an independent body that investigates and reviews alleged breaches of integrity.

"We have contacted the Belarus Red Cross to express our grave concern and to stop any similar activity in the future. It is important to note that the Secretary General of the Belarus Red Cross does not speak on behalf of the IFRC or any other component of the Movement, and his statements do not represent our views," the organisation adds.