The Russian invasion of Ukraine is approaching a thousand days during which some 12,000 civilians have died, the country’s energy capacity has reached the brink of collapse and drones are terrorizing communities on the front lines, the UN head of Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine said this Friday.
At a press conference in Geneva, Matthias Schmale referred to the anguish of Ukrainians as winter approaches and the thousand day mark.
Schmale pointed out that the civil infrastructure has been decimated “with more than 2,000 attacks on healthcare facilities and two million homes damaged.”
No fuel to keep warm
Furthermore, about 40% of the population needs humanitarian assistance and one of the most urgent concerns is that of people living in high-rise buildings, which They will face their third consecutive winter without heat due to “systematic attacks” on energy infrastructure.
“At this point, the 65% of Ukraine’s energy production capacity has been destroyedSchmale reported, adding that, when possible, UN aid teams and partners deliver solid fuel and warm clothing to vulnerable communities. He clarified, however, that the situation is more precarious for people who live in apartment buildings.
“Obviously, a ton of solid fuel cannot be delivered to a high-rise building”he explained, adding that collective shelters in cities and towns that provide meals, showers and hot drinks help, but are not enough.
One of the biggest concerns in Ukraine is that Russian forces will attack the energy sector again before the cold weather gets worse.
In this sense, the official warned that The arrival of winter could cause greater displacement inside and outside Ukraine.
For this reason, urged the international community “to do its part to stop the war.”
Meeting winter needs requires more resources
Humanitarian aid from the UN, its partners and NGOs have assisted 7.2 million people in some way in Ukraine thanks to $1,800 received from donors for the humanitarian response to the crisis.
But these funds are finite and relief agencies They now need 500 million dollars to prepare for winter and meet the basic needs of 1.8 million until March of people by supplying solid fuel, ensuring water systems remain functioning and providing them with cash assistance.
The UN has highlighted the danger facing communities and humanitarian workers on the front line. This year nine of them have died while carrying out their work. Humanitarian facilities have also been damaged.
Terror generated by drones
During his statements to the press, Schmale insisted on the fear that drones generate among the population.
“Many people have told me in my visits that they feel that civilians, infrastructure and civil society are increasingly being targeted by drone attacks; and drone attacks are terrible“, he said, and stressed that it is a psychological horrorbecause you never know for sure if they will attack or are just observing.
Regarding the result of the elections in the United States, he highlighted the desire of the Secretary General of the UN to continue US humanitarian support to Ukraine. “They have been, by far, our greatest individual support (…) The hope is that they understand, like the current administration, that there are enormous humanitarian needs that we must continue to address“, he added when answering a question on the subject.
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