Key facts
- UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher stated that Russian drone attacks are a dangerous obstacle to aid operations in Ukraine.
- Fletcher noted that marked humanitarian vehicles have been hit, restricting aid delivery.
- Local organizations, which conduct over two-thirds of operations funded by Ukraine's humanitarian fund, feel unprotected.
- The UN is seeking $23 billion for global humanitarian aid, with Ukraine being a well-funded crisis.
- A UN report revealed 907 aid workers were victims of violence last year, and over 1,000 have been killed in three years.
The intensifying use of drones against civilians and humanitarian workers is creating a dangerous obstacle for aid operations in Ukraine, according to the UN's humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher. In an interview with The Associated Press, Fletcher described the situation in Kherson as 'chilling,' where communities live under the constant threat of Russian drones that routinely target civilians and vehicles.
Fletcher highlighted that these drone attacks not only endanger civilians but also the humanitarians working to protect them. Despite international humanitarian law protecting aid workers and marked humanitarian vehicles, attacks persist, restricting the scope of operations. He noted that local organizations, which conduct the majority of operations funded by Ukraine's humanitarian fund, feel particularly exposed and unprotected.
The UN is seeking $23 billion for global humanitarian assistance, with Ukraine being a relatively well-funded crisis at approximately 70-75% of its requirement. However, Fletcher acknowledged that raising funds has become more challenging as governments increasingly divert spending towards defense and domestic priorities, leading to a more 'transactional' and 'selfish' world.
In a stark assessment, the UN reported that 907 aid workers were victims of violence last year, and over 1,000 have been killed in the past three years. Fletcher expressed concern about the lack of accountability for those responsible for these attacks, emphasizing the need for investigations beyond the individuals who carried out the acts.