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

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 89¹.

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. Plan International
20. Save the Children
21. Solidarites International
22. Stabilization Support Services
23. Terre des hommes
24. War Child
25. World Vision

¹ Données du Ministère de la Santé Ukrainien