UN humanitarian workers are tirelessly providing emergency care, evacuation support, and working to repair damaged energy plants, despite limited resources, an expanding frontline, and direct attacks on colleagues.
The extensive use of drones and glide bombs in the Ukraine conflict exposes a large area of the country to Russian strikes, further complicating the efforts of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as they prepare for Ukraine’s harsh winter.
UN News interviewed Andrea de Domenico, OCHA’s Ukraine country chief, about the challenges faced and how they manage to work under such conditions.
Andrea de Domenico: Our resources are dwindling, requiring tough decisions. We’ve prioritized frontline response, evacuation support, and aiding displaced individuals.
This year, our focus is on those living along the frontline, mainly vulnerable, elderly individuals with limited mobility who need assistance.
Additionally, responding to attacks on energy infrastructure is a significant challenge. For instance, last week, 60 percent of gas production was damaged. Without water and electricity, enduring winter becomes extremely difficult.
Assisted by the center in Chișinău, Moldova, an elderly Ukrainian is learning new ways to adapt to the challenges of displacement.
UN News: What is needed to aid those in need, and how much has been received?
For winter, we requested $277 million, and about 50 percent has been mobilized, so there is still a significant gap to reach the overall target.
If we don’t meet that goal, people may not be able to stay in their homes during winter and might need evacuation.
UN News: A UN convoy was shelled last week. How does your team handle the psychological stress of such conditions?
Most frontline humanitarian aid is provided by local authorities and partners, and their dedication is commendable.
They face these attacks repeatedly. Over 100 incidents have been recorded just this year.
While some attacks made us collateral damage, this was the first direct attack on a UN humanitarian convoy, which was indeed shocking.
Following the incident, I reminded the team of the inherent risks. Our UN security colleagues excelled in protecting those involved in the mission.
It requires determination, courage, and motivation to continue, but this is the reality of being involved in humanitarian operations in a war zone.
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