Fuel, cash and medical supplies are already running in rooms of Ukraine after Russia invasion and the crisis could force 5 millions people to flee abroad, United Nations aid agencies announced on Friday.
At least 100,000 people are uprooted in Ukraine after fleeing its homes since Russia launched son assault on Thursday, when several thousand already crossed into the neighbor countries including Moldova, Romania and Poland, United Nations High Commissioner for said refugee spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo.
“We are looking at ranges of 1 million to 3 millions Poland for example… A scenario of 1 million to 5 millionsincluding all surroundings countries”Mantoo said at a UN briefing in Geneva.
Missiles pounded Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Friday as Russian forces continued their advance. Air raid sirens blared over the city of 3 millions people where some took shelter in underground metro stations
“As we speak, there have been major attacks in Kyiv who created great fear and panic among the population with families are really scared, moving alongside their children in subways and shelters. It’s clearly a terrifying moment for children throughout the country”, Afshan Khan, regional head of UNICEF director for Europe and Central Asia, the briefing said.
“We are still trying to see what civilian infrastructure in Ukraine has been hit where,” she said.
UNICEF focused on cash helping families, she said. the effect of Western sanctions, which were imposed on Russia, will be analyzed in terms of the aid pipeline, she said.
UN human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said he had reports of at least 127 civilian casualties in Ukraine – 25 killed and 102 injured – “caused by bombings and airstrikes.” That was probably a significant underestimate, she said.
Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine speaking via Kyiva’s video call said he had no reports from hospitals but was trying to monitor casualties and needs.
The priority is to provide treatment for the injured as well as the mental and psychological health support, he said.
