The population of Mariupol has no electricity, no water, no food, not even for the children; and people are getting sick from the intense cold. This is what the Red Cross has warned again, denouncing that the situation in this city is extremely serious: “Many do not have any water or food to drink.” Time for this population is running out, as the humanitarian organization has continued to warn, detailing that they have been without electricity or water in many areas since March 2 and that, in addition, right now 350,000 people need urgent help.
Days ago the Red Cross already warned that “all pharmacies and stores had been looted” and of the shortage of supplies in the region: “Some people have food, but we don’t know how long it will last. Many say they don’t have food for the children“. They also added that he was already beginning to increase the number of patients for this situation, as well as for the humidity and the cold: “We try to maintain a minimum hygiene, but it is not always possible”. Mariopul has been one of the most attacked cities in the two weeks since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian authorities estimate that More than 2,500 people have died in this city after more than two weeks of war. An advisor to the Ukrainian Presidency, Oleksiy Arestovych, has assured that the city “resists” Russian attacks, which have also reached civilian infrastructure, but “the number of victims among citizens is growing,” according to the UNIAN news agency. Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of blocking the evacuation of civilians. The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, reminded all parties that they must put the humanitarian situation before any consideration of a warlike nature.
“The inhabitants of Mariupol live in a nightmare that lasts for weeks“, he lamented in a statement, where he also demanded that basic supplies be guaranteed, including food and water, after both the ICRC and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned of precarious conditions, with people even forced to collect snow to The capture of Mariupol, on the shores of the Sea of Azov, is strategic for the military interests of the Russian forces, since they could connect by land the Crimean peninsula and the regions of eastern Ukraine that the Russians have controlled since 2014. separatist rebels.
Increased access to humanitarian aid
Precisely this Wednesday, Peter Maurer arrived in Ukraine for a five-day visit in which he wants call for greater access for humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians, after the organization has warned of the consequences of sieges such as that of Mariúpol. Maurer has arrived in kyiv and hopes to meet with representatives of the Ukrainian government, also with a view to discussing how the ICRC’s work can be improved on issues such as food aid, medical supplies and care for civilians fleeing the conflict.
“I think it is important to have face-to-face contacts so that we can talk more in depth about our neutral work.independent and impartial”Maurer said in a statement. He also plans to meet with local staff of the organization. The ICRC has pointed out that Maurer also maintains “regular” contact with Russian authorities, the other party to a conflict that ended on February 24 with the military offensive ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Source: Lasexta
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
