The UN's Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine on Thursday said she was "deeply disturbed" at the relentless attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv which have been continuing virtually non-stop for nearly two weeks.
Denise Brown said civilian lives must be protected during conflict by all sides, but in Kharkiv in recent days, they have instead been targeted in their homes, with businesses and transport links damaged and attacked.
"My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones due to the strikes," she said, adding that as a result of the "appalling" attacks, thousands of civilians, including some older people and persons with disabilities, have been forced to flee "leaving their entire lives behind".
Support for the displaced
UN and humanitarian partners have been supporting evacuees from the outlying villages of Kharkiv close to the Russian border, Ukraine's second city.
UN Children's Fund UNICEF's top official in Ukraine Munir Mammadzade told UN News on Wednesday that "each and every relocation or displacement is a lifetime trauma for these children.
"They have already been traumatised since the escalation of the war. The frontline areas are regularly attacked and shelled. They were already experiencing mental health problems."
