The shipment follows a joint medical assessment by World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Swiss Development Cooperation on Saturday, 4 September. The assessment team visited three hospitals in Vladikavkaz and one in Beslan. Most of the wounded and traumatised children (215 of the 330 hospitalised) are in the Children’s Republican Hospital, Vladikavkaz.

The first truck carrying the bulk of the supplies left Moscow yesterday, 6 September, and is due to reach the area tomorrow, Wednesday, 8 September. Supplies will be delivered directly to the hard-pressed medical staff of four local hospitals. The second truck will reach the area on Thursday, 9 September.

The supplies include:

-- 30,000 bandages

-- 90,000 syringes

-- 3,000 catheters

-- 10,000 pairs of surgical gloves

-- 1,000 items of bed linen

-- 100 blankets

-- 100 mattresses

-- 20 hospital beds

-- 1,500 bars of antibacterial soap.

Also on Saturday, 4 September, UNICEF workers delivered limited quantities of basic medical supplies, including painkillers, antibiotics, bandages and other urgently needed items to two hospitals in Vladikavkaz.

Pending requests for assistance from the Russian authorities, UNICEF is looking at an Emergency Response Plan in three areas: provision of basic medical supplies, psycho-social support for children and families, and support for education