UNICEF representative in Ukraine, Munir Mammadzade, reported from a basement in Kherson that the city faces “constant fire,” with daily attacks destroying homes, infrastructure, and essential services for children and families.
“I have been constantly hearing artillery shelling,” he stated, describing another “massive, coordinated attack” that affected civilian and energy infrastructure overnight.
Kherson’s children’s hospital suffered eight attacks on Tuesday morning, Mr. Mammadzade noted.
Childhood underground
Life in Kherson is “a matter of survival” for families in the frontline area, according to the UNICEF representative. The region is heavily protected by anti-drone nets, and childhood now exists “literally underground,” he emphasized.
Of the 60,000 children who lived in Kherson before Russia’s invasion on 24 February 2022, only about 5,000 remain and must “learn, play and sleep in basements to stay safe.”
Mr. Mammadzade shared his remarks during a press briefing in Geneva, as Ukraine and Russia held US-brokered talks in the city.
From the basement turned UNICEF child protection hub, he described how “kids are playing and engaging with psychologists, which is precious to witness in Kherson, as few people are seen outside.”
‘Constant fear of attacks’
Humanitarians speak of the exhaustion families endure from living in constant hyper-alertness,” he said.
Mr. Mammadzade emphasized that attacks on civilian areas persist across Ukraine, “including regions often overlooked,” like western Ukraine and Kyiv.
“Constant fear of attacks, sheltering in basements, and isolation have gravely affected children’s mental and physical health,” he concluded.
Daily power cuts
Arthur Erken, IOM’s regional director for Europe, highlighted that attacks on energy infrastructure lead to “power cuts impacting daily routines, including cooking, studying, and hospital schedules.”
“With temperatures dropping to -20 degrees Celsius, communities face heating, electricity, and repair shortages,” he added, noting significant effects on displaced persons and returnees.
Ukraine remains Europe’s largest displacement crisis, Mr. Erken said. Of 9.6 million displaced people, 3.7 million are internally displaced.
“One in three displaced households includes someone with a disability, and over half manage chronic illnesses,” he stated. “These are not just numbers but everyday realities affecting decisions from medical care to food.”
‘Resilience alone cannot sustain families’
Despite four years of full-scale war, Ukrainians continue to seek safety and basic services, the IOM representative said.
“In the past year, over 450,000 people were displaced again, many for the second or third time,” he noted.
Mr. Erken warned that 325,000 returnees might be displaced again, with over a third considering moving abroad.
“Leaving reflects enduring issues like insecurity, housing damage, and limited access to electricity and heating,” he remarked.
“Resilience cannot support families through another harsh winter of blackouts and freezing conditions,” the IOM official insisted.
“Safe housing, reliable energy, and essential services are not luxuries but crucial for survival, safety, and dignity,” he concluded.
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