The aircraft carrying 40 tonnes of high-energy biscuits was met by an ICRC team of specialists. The ICRC team, consisting of a medical doctor, two tracing experts and one relief specialist, will work together with the Red Crescent Society of Uzbekistan to ensure that supplies are delivered promptly and to further assess the needs of the refugees who fled the recent violence in southern Kyrgyzstan.

"The arrival of this first planeload is one of the initial steps in the urgent delivery of assistance to the tens of thousands of refugees who crossed the border over the past few days," said Pascale Meige Wagner, the ICRC’s head of operations for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Another flight carrying humanitarian cargo, including 650 tents and 10 medical kits is planned for tomorrow.

The ICRC closely coordinates its operations with the Uzbek Red Crescent and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Red Cross and Red Crescent partners are committed to supporting the Uzbek authorities in their efforts to deal with this major refugee crisis.