Rabat – Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi calls on neighboring countries to keep borders open to Ukrainian people seeking safety and protection.
The UNHCR expressed concern over the fast-deteriorating and alarming situation in Ukraine, following the recent Russian military offensive.
Gandi stressed that “the humanitarian consequences on civilian populations will be devastating. There are no winners in war, but countless lives will be torn apart.”
As many Ukranians fled their homes to seek safety in other regions of the country, with many of them taking shelter in subway stations, Ghandi noted that civilian lives and civilian infrastructure “must be protected and safeguarded at all times, in line with international Humanitarian Law.”
The UN High Commissioner highlighted that UNHCR, alongside the authorities and the UN, is ready to provide humanitarian assistance.
“Security and access for humanitarian efforts must be guaranteed,” he added.
That said, UNHCR noted in a statement that it is working with governments in neighboring countries to “respond to any situation of forced displacement.”
Ghadi said that UNHCR has stepped up its operations and capacity in Ukraine and neighboring countries, while expressing commitment to support affected people in the region.
On February 24, Ukraine cut diplomatic ties with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia’s military operations have killed over 40 Ukrainian soldiers and 10 civilians.
The EU and the US condemned the Russian attack and vowed to take sanctions against Russia and support Ukraine in the crisis.
Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin warned other countries not to interfere, claiming that his country’s action aims to protect people of Russian origin in eastern Ukraine.
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