Thirteen humanitarian organizations show their shock at the deaths of civilians and sexual violence in Ukraine

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NGOs have called on the international community to take “stronger” measures to end hostilities

MADRID, 9 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

A dozen humanitarian organizations, including Save The Children, Action Against Hunger or Doctors of the World, have shown this Friday their shock at the deaths of civilians and victims and sexual violence against women and girls who “are observed ” in different regions of Ukraine.

“I will never forget the moment when I tried to leave Irpin: I was waiting on the street and they started to bomb my neighbour’s car. His father died on the spot. His mother and son survived, but were seriously injured,” he said. Olha, a final year student currently displaced in western Ukraine.

The thirteen organizations have called in a joint statement for the “immediate cessation” of hostilities to “stop the killing of civilians and the suffering of the population in Ukraine.” They have also demanded that both parties to the conflict not tolerate sexual violence, since such “serious violations” could constitute war crimes.

“Nothing can justify the suffering that civilians continue to endure … in Bucha, Irpin, Gostomel, Borodyanka, Mariupol and other regions of Ukraine. All parties to the conflict must comply with their international obligations, including not attacking civilians or vital public infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, and water and electricity supplies,” they lamented.

They have also called on the international community, including the UN Security Council and General Assembly, to take “stronger” measures to end hostilities and “reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.”

On the other hand, they have assured that they are “closely” following the negotiations that the delegations of Russia and Ukraine are having during these weeks, and have asked that they end with a “positive result” to improve the humanitarian situation.

“As humanitarian organizations that follow the principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality, we are seriously concerned about the ongoing hostilities and the unsuccessful efforts of the international community to negotiate and guarantee a ceasefire,” the thirteen organizations have settled.