UNICEF warns wave of ‘fear, dread’ in Ukraine

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 19th Dec. UNICEF on Monday noted over 900 air attacks across Ukraine in one week, the intensifying Russian bombing campaign has left millions of children without sustained access to electricity, heat and water, as winter temperatures goes up.

UNICEF Regional Director Regina De Dominicis said in a statement that bombardment was “particularly unrelenting” in the east and south of the country.

She said last week was concerning trend with an increase in ballistic missiles and mass drone attacks, including widespread targeted attacks on Kyiv’s infrastructure.

“These attacks have caused injuries among children, sent an intensified wave of fear and dread through already deeply distressed communities, and left millions of children across Ukraine without sustained access to electricity, heating and water, exposing them to additional serious harm as temperatures plummet”, she said.

“Children and families most at risk are those who already have the least access to basic, life-depending resources to start with, and who have already endured immense hardship”, she added.

“These children and their families have nothing to fall back on.”

Winter temperatures regularly go as low as -20°C.

She warned “Children simply cannot withstand these conditions without energy”.

“Blackouts and power cuts make it extremely challenging for health facilities to provide critical services, another dire situation given the rise in cases of pneumonia, seasonal influenza and waterborne diseases among children across Ukraine.”

Over 1,800 children have been killed or injured since the escalation of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.

“UNICEF is providing generators and other equipment to support the Government of Ukraine in keeping water supply, heating, health and education facilities running”, said Ms. De Dominicis.

“In the hardest hit areas, UNICEF is providing winter clothing sets for children along with blankets for their families. We are also reaching families with cash assistance,” she added.