Statement attributable to Matthew Hollingworth, Humanitarian Coordinator (a.i.), on the latest attacks impacting aid facilities in Ukraine [EN/UK/RU]

Yesterday, the humanitarian community in Ukraine woke up to find out, once again, that another aid facility had been damaged during airstrikes. A warehouse of the national NGO Proliska was hit in the early hours of the morning in Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region. The facility has served as a hub from where the organization and other partners – including the United Nations – would send relief supplies to people enduring heavy hostilities in Bakhmut, Avdiivka and other front-line communities. It was also a centre where civilians would gather to receive assistance in Chasiv Yar. Fortunately, no one was injured.

This was the third attack impacting facilities used to distribute humanitarian assistance in only two days. The day before, a warehouse of the national NGO Tarilka was struck in Kherson, injuring an aid worker. The incident compromised the logistics of Tarilka and other organizations working to support people in the front-line communities across the Kherson region. On the same day, another airstrike impacted a facility used by various relief groups in Kostiantynivka, in the Donetsk region.

We also continue to receive horrifying reports of homes, schools and hospitals being hit day in, day out, across front-line areas.

Civilian infrastructure, including aid and health facilities, are vital for the people of Ukraine. Constant care must be taken to spare them from harm. They are not a target.

Kyiv, 16 February 2023

For further information, please contact:
Saviano Abreu, OCHA: +380 504 223 943, deabreuisidoro@un.org
OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int.