New York, Feb 24: UNICEF on Thursday raised concerns over Russia’s military attack on Ukraine and said the intensifying hostilities posed an immediate threat to the lives and well-being of the country’s 7.5 million children. “Heavy weapons fired along the line of contact has already damaged critical water infrastructure and education facilities. Unless the fighting subsides, tens of thousands of families could be forcibly displaced, dramatically escalating humanitarian needs,” said Executive Director Catherine M Russell.
“The past eight years of conflict have inflicted profound and lasting damage to children on both sides of the line of contact. The children of Ukraine need peace, desperately, now” she said. Calling for a ceasefire, She said UNICEF echoes the appeal of the UN Secretary-General for an immediate truce and called on all parties to respect their international obligations to protect children from harm and ensure that humanitarian actors can safely and quickly reach children in need. “UNICEF also calls on all parties to refrain from attacking essential infrastructure on which children depend – including water and sanitation systems, health facilities and schools.”
