UNITED NATIONS (AP) — According to a senior U.N. official who addressed the Security Council on Tuesday, the ongoing Russian strikes in Ukraine are inflicting unimaginable suffering on the Ukrainian people, with more than 40% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance.
In his statement, Ramesh Rajasingham, the director of coordination in the U.N. humanitarian office, emphasized that thousands of civilians have been killed in strikes on homes, schools, fields, and markets since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. While the U.N. human rights office has officially verified 9,900 civilian deaths, it is widely believed that the actual number is much higher.
The Russian strikes have caused horrendous humanitarian consequences and unimaginable levels of suffering for Ukrainian civilians, Rajasingham noted. He further highlighted that as winter approaches, the needs for humanitarian assistance will be magnified, as over 18 million Ukrainians, representing more than 40% of the population, require some form of aid.
Apart from the loss of human life, significant damage to critical infrastructure continues to hinder civilian access to basic necessities such as electricity, heating, water, and telecommunications. This is a major concern as the winter season approaches, as it puts the elderly, disabled, and displaced individuals at a greater risk.
Rajasingham added that the Russian military has systematically targeted Ukraine’s power stations and other vital infrastructure through missile and drone strikes during previous winter seasons, leading to frequent power outages.
To prepare for the upcoming freezing temperatures, the U.N. official explained that the humanitarian community is assisting individuals with household repairs and ensuring that water and heating systems are functional. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every civilian has access to a safe and warm environment during the winter.
In addition to infrastructure damage, Rajasingham also mentioned the diminished state of healthcare in Ukraine. According to him, the U.N. World Health Organization has verified over 1,300 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine, accounting for more than 55% of all such attacks worldwide within the same period. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of 111 healthcare workers and patients, with 13 health facilities affected since the beginning of September.
As the war continues, the operating conditions for humanitarian organizations have become increasingly dangerous. Rajasingham revealed that the number of aid workers killed has more than tripled from four in 2022 to 14 so far in 2023.
Despite the inherent risks, there have been significant efforts to reach affected populations with aid. More than 500 humanitarian organizations, mostly local, have managed to assist nine million people in the first nine months of 2023. This remarkable feat was made possible by generous contributions of over $2 billion from donors to the U.N.’s $3.9 billion appeal for this year. However, it is still worth noting that over 40% of the appeal remains unfunded.
During the Security Council session, U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood drew attention to the significant reduction in Ukraine’s power generating capacity due to Russian attacks, estimating it to be approximately half of its pre-war capacity. He highlighted that between October 2022 and March 2023, many civilians went without power for about 35 days.
Wood also expressed concern about the resumption of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, which jeopardizes essential services and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. He mentioned instances in September when Russia launched 44 missiles at energy facilities in multiple regions, as well as a Ukrainian government report indicating an estimated 100 attacks in the Kherson region between October 11-12, involving artillery, missiles, and drones.
Furthermore, Wood revealed that Russian attacks have resulted in the destruction of nearly 300,000 tons of Ukrainian grain from mid-July to mid-October, after Russia terminated the initiative allowing Ukraine to export vital food supplies from Black Sea ports.
Wood called upon the international community to continue providing essential humanitarian support to Ukraine, emphasizing the need to assist in the restoration of Ukraine’s energy grid.
Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia countered these claims, suggesting that it is Ukrainian missiles rather than Russian airstrikes that hit civilian targets. Nebenzia further accused the Kyiv government of fabricating “lies about Russia” and exploiting high-profile tragedies in Ukraine to gain Western support for military assistance.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by Western diplomats, Nebenzia noted their silence regarding casualties and destruction in the eastern Donbas region, which Russia illegally annexed in October 2022.
Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, expressed gratitude to the U.N. and donors for their assistance in preparing for winter. Nevertheless, he emphasized that Russia continues to target civilian infrastructure, necessitating the acquisition of additional air defense systems to protect critical facilities during the winter.
