War in Ukraine can no longer continue

Demonstrators protest against the war in Ukraine Demonstrators protest against the war in Ukraine Sima Ghaffarzadeh via Pexels

The number of civilian casualties is staggering: over 20.000 dead or injured

Since the beginning of the war, many Ukrainian communities along the front line of fighting have been encircled by Russian forces, finding themselves without access to water, food and medical care. Residential buildings, schools, hospitals, facilities for the elderly and so on have been damaged, leaving scores of civilians in need of shelter and health care. Humanitarian supplies and vital medical equipment were also destroyed.

Emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths pointed out that during the ongoing Russian occupation of parts of the south and east of the country, civilian casualties “are rising to the highest levels in months”. Research conducted by the U.N. Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) shows that civilian casualties since Feb. 24, 2022, have totaled 23.6000, a staggering number, even as the actual tally is likely much higher.

He also stated that it is “imperative to explore all options to reach civilians," and all parties to the conflict must allow and facilitate the "rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief”. Nearly 3.6 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance, food and vital supplies. For this reason, full access of humanitarian workers to these areas must be guaranteed, and efforts should be made to reach the areas currently under the military control of the Russian Federation (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia).

Griffiths concluded by saying that this war can no longer be allowed to continue and called on Security Council members and all nations to support all efforts to end “the carnage and destruction”. 

 

To read more, please visit:

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/05/1136657 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/15/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-446

 

by Chiara Cacciatore

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