Civilian deaths in Ukraine edge closer to 1,000 says UN

Since Russia launched a war on Ukraine on February 24, at least 953 civilians have been killed, and 1,557 others have been injured, according to the UN, which also noted that the number of people fleeing the country had surpassed 3.5 million.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) claimed in a statement that 40 children were among those slain in Ukraine.

According to the statement, the majority of civilian deaths were caused by explosive weapons with a large impact area, such as bombarding from heavy artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems, as well as missile and airstrikes.

“The actual figures are much higher,” OHCHR noted, “particularly in the government-controlled territory and especially in recent days, as information from some locations where significant hostilities have been going on has been delayed.”

The human rights agency cited a report from Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, which stated that 117 children have died and more than 155 have been injured since Russia began the war.

Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 62 attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine, resulting in 15 deaths and 37 injuries.

Following talks with the president, the head of the WHO’s Europe regional office paid a visit to the Moldovan city of Chisinau on Tuesday, where he held a press conference with the country’s health minister.

Terrible toll

“The war in Ukraine has taken a devastating toll on the health and well-being of millions of people, both physically and mentally,” Kluge added, “triggering Europe’s largest refugee crisis since WWII.”

Moldova, like Ukraine, is a former Soviet republic with a population of slightly over 4 million people, but it has received 368,000 refugees escaping the war.

Poland, a former member of the Soviet Union, has taken in more than 2.1 million refugees escaping the conflict.

According to the latest numbers, 6.5 million people have been internally displaced within Ukraine, according to Paloma Cuchi, WHO representative in Poland, who spoke to UN journalists in Geneva.

She also went on to say that about two-thirds of refugees want to live in Poland, close to their home country.

“In Ukraine, access to health care is restricted. Furthermore, refugees face a long, difficult, and hazardous journey to Poland’s border, “Cuchi stated.

“Children who have been travelling without sufficient food or drink for days (2-3 days) are fatigued and worried,” she stated.

“Senior refugees have spent days without medication, resulting in decompensated diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues. Pregnant women do not have access to prenatal care.”

Romania, a Ukraine neighbour, has taken in over 543,000 refugees, Hungary has taken in over 317,000, and Slovakia has taken in over 253,000. More than 252,000 refugees have arrived in Russia.