Source: United Nations (video statements)
Briefing by Edem Wosornu, Director, Crisis Response Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
Wosornu said, “Humanitarian workers in Ukraine came under repeated attack last week. As mentioned by my DPPA colleague, two separate convoys, clearly marked as being part of the United Nations, were hit while carrying life-saving assistance to civilians in need. Both missions had been notified well in advance through established channels.”
She stressed, “These attacks are intensifying, making the delivery of humanitarian assistance increasingly difficult, if not impossible in some areas. Humanitarian workers in Ukraine are taking immense risks to save lives. However, the weapons being deployed – cheap and deadly – are rapidly changing what it means to deliver life-saving assistance. Humanitarian workers and assets must be respected. This entails taking active steps to spare them.”
She said, “I remain deeply concerned about the situation for civilians in and around front-line communities. Whatever side of the line they may be, every day is a matter of life and death. Over a single weekend this month, 930 civilians – including more than 180 children – were evacuated from front-line areas in Donetsk with humanitarian support.”
She concluded, “Civilians across Ukraine cannot wait for a political breakthrough to be protected and have their basic needs met. Protection, humanitarian access and funding remain essential while efforts toward a just and lasting peace continue.”