New York: UN humanitarian chief has warned that around 13 million people in Ukraine are in dire need of humanitarian assistance amidst continuous displacement and destruction of basic services, inflicting huge damage on civilians.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Tom Fletcher, the Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, called on the international community to double efforts to protect civilians who are under constant bombardment. He delivered this urgent appeal during a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine's peace and security late Tuesday.
Fletcher highlighted how the Russian raids on Ukrainian cities have led to increased human casualties and inflicted damage on vital infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, housing, schools, and playgrounds. He emphasized the need for the protection of civilians and infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law, stressing that the killing of civilians and destruction of populated areas must cease.
"The war is still causing mass displacement with around 3.7 million Ukrainians displaced, and seven million others as refugees," Fletcher noted. He also pointed out the challenges faced by relief workers, who are unable to reach approximately 1.5 million civilians in Russian-controlled areas such as Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, and Zaporizhzhia.
Fletcher reminded the Security Council members of the international humanitarian law, which stipulates that warring parties should allow the immediate passage of relief supplies. He also drew attention to the UN's $2.6 billion appeal, of which only 17 percent has been received. Without adequate funding, he warned, humanitarian programs would be reduced, leaving millions of people without food, healthcare, or shelter.
In his closing remarks, Fletcher urged the international community, "If you cannot stop the attacks on civilians in Ukraine and other areas, then at least provide us with the security we need and the necessary materials to save the largest number of survivors."