Humanitarian situation in E Ukraine worsening: UN
Iran Press TV
Mon May 19, 2014 11:33PM GMT
The United Nations has warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine amid continued assaults by the army on pro-Russian protesters.
A high-ranking UN official said on Monday that the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, which is controlled by pro-Russian activists, is facing a dire humanitarian situation due to the lack of social services.
Ivan Simonovic, the UN assistant secretary-general for human rights, said that the crisis-hit Ukrainian region is running short of crucial supplies, including medicine.
'I have an impression that Donetsk is on the verge of collapse of social services... the overall system is, I think, on the verge of collapse.'
Simonovic did not give an exact estimate of the number of people who were thought to be contemplating leaving, but said that the condition is frightening.
'If things do not improve, we could have a major wave of displaced persons coming from that area.'
The UN official also said that the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine would make no difference as the window of opportunity to resolve the crisis is closing fast.
'To expect a miracle out of elections is, I think, unrealistic,' he noted.
Fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine last month after Kiev launched a military offensive against pro-Russian groups that have seized over a dozen towns and declared independence in Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk.
According to figures from the United Nations, some 130 people have so far been killed during clashes and operations by Ukrainian troops in the region.
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the interim government in Kiev to immediately withdraw its troops from eastern Ukraine.
According to a Kremlin statement, Putin called for an end to the Kiev authorities' 'punitive operation' against pro-Russian activists in the region.
MSM/AS/MAM
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