Civilian lives must be protected even amidst war [EN/UK/RU]

HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR UKRAINE DENISE BROWN CONDEMNS ATTACKS IN KHARKIV CITY AND REGION, KILLING AND INJURING CIVILIANS

I am deeply disturbed by the news from Kharkiv City and the Kharkiv Region, where, yet again, attacks by the Russian Armed Forces killed civilians, caused injuries, and destroyed homes, businesses, transport and other civilian infrastructure.

My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones due to the strikes.

These appalling attacks in the Kharkiv Region have been going on for almost two weeks nonstop. Thousands of civilians, including older people and people with disabilities, have been forced to flee, leaving their entire lives behind. People who were seeking safety have faced, once again, the trauma of seeing homes destroyed and people injured or killed.

UN and humanitarian partners support evacuated people and those affected by strikes, providing urgent assistance.
Yet, the war across Ukraine continues to ruin lives and deepen humanitarian needs. International humanitarian law is clear — the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure must be guaranteed.

Kyiv, 23 May 2024

For further information, please contact:

Adedeji Ademigbuji, OCHA: +380 50 341 07 98, adedeji.ademigbuji@un.org

Viktoriia Andriievska, OCHA: +380 50 419 63 23, viktoriia.andriievska@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int