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

The pattern of escalation in Ukraine has forced several aid agencies to suspend operations in the country over safety concerns for their staff and populations in need of support, until it is safe to resume.

Kyiv, 10 October – The pattern of escalation in Ukraine has forced several aid agencies to suspend operations in the country over safety concerns for their staff and populations in need of support, until it is safe to resume. 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.

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.

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 Against Hunger
  2. Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund
  3. Caritas Ukraine
  4. Danish Refugee Council
  5. HelpAge International
  6. INTERSOS
  7. Medical Teams International
  8. Network 100 percent life Rivne
  9. Pax
  10. People in Need
  11. Plan International
  12. Save the Children
  13. Solidarites International
  14. Stabilization Support Services
  15. World Vision

 

ENDS

Notes to editor

  • Interviews with Action Against Hunger UK’s spokespeople available upon request. Contact Lucy or David on press@actionagainsthunger.org.uk or 0208293 6130 to arrange.
  • Action Against Hunger is the world’s leading charity stopping life-threatening hunger in its tracks. By training parents and healthcare workers to spot the signs, we get life-saving care to people who need it. Action Against Hunger’s research drives forward understanding of how to predict, prevent and treat life-threatening hunger. With unbeatable knowledge and unstoppable determination, the charity supported more than 26 million people across 51 countries in 2021.
  • For more information, please visit Action Against Hunger UK’s website or follow Action Against Hunger UK on Twitter and FacebookLinkedIn, and Instagram.

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