ICRC asks Canada not to mix Ukraine aid promises with military support, sanctions
CTV
The International Committee of the Red Cross is asking Canada not to mix promises of humanitarian aid in with announcements about military support and sanctions when it comes to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Lumping promises of humanitarian assistance with military support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia threatens the neutrality that aid groups require to safely operate there and elsewhere, said ICRC director of operations Dominik Stillhart.
"When you communicate publicly, don't lump humanitarian action together with the rest of the support for political reasons that you offer to Ukraine," Stillhart said in an interview on Sunday.
"The danger is that humanitarian action may be perceived as a tool or as a weapon in supporting one side or the other."
While Stillhart did not identify any specific examples, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday announced $50 million in additional humanitarian aid for Ukraine alongside new sanctions against 160 Russian officials.
