In Kharkiv, Ukraine, the situation is very concerning

Constant bombardments, massive destruction of infrastructure, and attacks on energy installations: Since May 10th, violent fighting has been raging in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine's second-largest city.

This new Russian offensive has claimed the lives of at least 35 civilians and forced more than 17,000 people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. These figures are likely to rise in the coming days.

Civilians are the first victims

Civilians remain the first victims of the massive use of explosive weapons in the region.
On Saturday, May 25, a bombardment hit a supermarket in the city of Kharkiv, killing at least 16 people. A few days earlier, air strikes hit a community center.

As the fighting intensifies, civilian evacuations are becoming increasingly dangerous, which is particularly worrying for those facing the most challenging situations, including people with disabilities, older people, and children.

Displaced people are in urgent need of assistance: food, water, clothing, and hygiene items.

In this context, humanitarian aid, including psychological support, is essential, as some civilians have already had to flee fighting in the past and may never be able to return home. The long-term impact of this wave of violence is terrible.

127 tons of humanitarian aid delivered and a storage space in Kharkiv

HI has already delivered 127 tons of humanitarian aid, including medical and hygiene kits, on behalf of partner humanitarian organizations in the Kharkiv region through its Atlas Logistics unit, which specializes in emergency logistics.

HI is also providing other humanitarian organizations with storage space in the city of Kharkiv to help them get humanitarian aid to the region as quickly as possible.HI and other humanitarian organizations are continuing to monitor the evolving needs to ensure an appropriate response.

Guaranteeing safe and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations

While some people have managed to flee the Kharkiv region already, hundreds of thousands are remaining.

Safe and unimpeded access of humanitarian NGOs must be ensured by the warring parties, especially in hard-to-reach areas, to support those in need (including older adults, persons with disabilities and children) unwilling or unable to leave.

HI reminds parties in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law (IHL) at all times. Indiscriminate attacks hitting civilians and civilian infrastructures must stop, as these strikes are strictly prohibited under IHL.