Aid agencies call for upholding international humanitarian law, protection of civilians and civilian objects in Ukraine [EN/UK]

Country: Ukraine

Sources: Action Contre la Faim France, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e.V., Caritas, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, Christian Aid, CORUS International, Danish Refugee Council, FHI 360, Finn Church Aid, Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion, HelpAge International, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, INTERSOS, Médecins du Monde, Medical Teams International, Mercy Corps, PAX, People in Need, Plan International, Première Urgence Internationale, Save the Children, Solidarités International, Terre des hommes, War Child UK, World Vision

Please refer to the attached files.

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