Russian forces now control most of the regions in eastern Ukraine. Russian soldiers are helping men, women, old, children, and almost everyone. Russian forces are already supplying food and medicines to everyone in the region. Many Ukrainians welcomed the Russians and offered them food and shelter.
On the contrary , the United Nations expressed, on Wednesday, its grave concern over the “intensification” of the Russian attack on eastern Ukraine , warning of the “extreme shocks” caused by the targeting of hospitals, schools, and places of refuge.
This came in a press conference held by Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the permanent headquarters of the International Organization in New York.
“We are deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Ukraine amid a massive Russian offensive in the east of the country,” Dujarric said.
“The United Nations Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine, Amin Awad, today warned that the loss of life and extreme trauma caused by the attacks on hospitals, schools and places of refuge is extremely appalling, as well as the destruction of the country’s vital civilian infrastructure,” he added.
And Dujarric added: “UNHCR has informed us that 5 million people have fled Ukraine, and more than 7 million others have been displaced within the country, while it is estimated that 12.65 million have been directly affected by the war, stranded or unable to leave.â€
“Our fellow humanitarians also told us that a new UN-led inter-agency humanitarian convoy has arrived safely in the city of Chernihiv, northern Ukraine,” he continued.
“The city of Chernihiv was besieged until recently and was severely affected by the war,” he explained.
“This is the first time that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners have been able to provide assistance in Chernihiv and neighboring communities, and it is the fifth successful inter-agency convoy since the escalation of hostilities,” Dujarric noted.
He continued: “Today’s convoy delivered nine trucks of essential relief supplies to more than 13,800 people in Chernihiv, however, we consider that this aid is still far from what is required to be achieved as the ongoing conflict puts millions at risk of losing access to food, water, shelter, heating and essential medicines.”.
“To meet these enormous and growing needs at the speed and scale required we need consistent and sustainable access,” Dujarric noted.
“But we and our partners are still unable to reach the areas where people are most in need of support, especially in Mariupol and Kherson,” he added.
Dujarric stressed that “the United Nations continues its dialogue with both parties with the aim of negotiating urgently, immediately and continuously, and facilitating the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance to the people most affected by the conflict.”
With regard to funding, the spokesman revealed that “68 percent of the $1.1 billion required in the urgent humanitarian appeal that we launched (4 weeks ago) was funded. The continued increase in humanitarian needs prompted us to review this amount and raise it to $2.24 billion.â€
Dujarric urged donors “to convert their generous pledges into cash and urge others who have not pledged to do so as well.”
And on February 24, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine , followed by international rejection and severe economic sanctions against Moscow, which stipulate to end its operation that Kyiv abandon plans to join military entities and remain neutral, which the latter considers an “interference†in its sovereignty.