The first international Red Cross Red Crescent relief flight arrived in Grenada on Sunday bringing essential humanitarian assistance for those affected by the violent hurricane that hit the country last week. Hurricane Ivan has left at least 60 people dead and thousands homeless across the Caribbean .

A Red Cross flight, provided through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies/DHL partnership, flew in 22 tonnes of humanitarian aid including plastic sheeting, jerry cans, hygiene parcels and generators. Also flown in were a British Red Cross logistics emergency response unit and an assessment team to coordinate the Red Cross assistance.

Additional Red Cross flights carrying relief goods are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica and Grenada in the coming days. On Wednesday, the Canadian Red Cross, with Canadian government assistance, will fly in relief goods which include generators, jerry cans, pick axes, a prefabricated warehouse, water and sanitation equipment and supplies, plastic sheeting and shovels.

On 10 September, the International Federation launched an appeal for 1.75 million Swiss francs (US$ 1.39 million) to provide assistance for up to 10,000 people. This appeal will be revised according to the needs assessments.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

In Grenada: Solveig Olafsdottir, Information delegate Tel: +871762 737 943

In Cuba: Cristina Estrada, Information delegate Tel +537 269 0103

In Jamaica: Marko Kokic, Information delegate Tel: +1 876 466-6057

In Geneva: Eva M. Calvo, Media Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 43 57 / + 41 79 217 33 72

Duty phone: Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81