Aid agencies call for upholding international humanitarian law, protection of civilians and civilian objects in Ukraine

Published: Oct 10, 2022 Reading time: 2 minutes
Russian destruction in Ukraine.
© Photo: Profimedia

Heavily populated areas in Ukraine—including in Dnipro, Kyiv, Lviv and Ternopil—came under attack on Monday from explosive weapons with wide-area effects, killing at least 11 civilians and injuring another 89. [1]

Several civilian objects were destroyed, including a playground, a pedestrian bridge and several homes. The damage done to critical civilian infrastructure also led to power outages and disruptions to water, electricity and communication supplies, at a time when civilians are preparing for winter.

The attacks come amid a pattern of escalation across the country, which forced several aid agencies to suspend operations over safety concerns for their staff and populations in need of support, until it is safe to resume.

Aid agencies in Ukraine call for respecting obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law and for the protection of civilians and civilian objects from ongoing hostilities.

Reprisal attacks targeting civilians, civilian objects and buildings used for the protection of civilian populations are always prohibited under the laws of war.

SIGNATORIES:

1. Action contre la Faim

2. Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund

3. CAFOD

4. Caritas Ukraine

5. Corus International

6. Danish Refugee Council

7. FHI 360

8. Finn Church Aid

9. Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

10. HelpAge International

11. Institute of Psychosomatics and Trauma Healing

12. International Rescue Committee

13. INTERSOS

14. Medical Teams International

15. Mercy Corps

16. Network 100 percent life Rivne

17. Pax

18. People in Need

19. People in Need Slovakia

20. Plan International

21. Save the Children

22. Solidarites International

23. Stabilization Support Services

24. Terre des hommes

25. War Child

26. World Vision

[1] Figures from the Ukraine Ministry of Emergency Situations



Autor: NGOs operational in Ukraine

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