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UN: Russian invasion could drive 5 million Ukrainians to flee abroad
The Arab News reported, citing Reuters, UN aid agencies said on Friday that fuel, cash and medical supplies are running low in parts of Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, which could drive up to 5 million people to flee abroad.
UN refugee agency spokesperson Shabia Mantoo said, at least 100,000 people are uprooted in Ukraine after fleeing their homes since Russia launched its assault on Thursday, while several thousand have already crossed into neighboring countries including Moldova, Romania and Poland.
Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s regional director for Europe and Central Asia, told a UN briefing in Geneva: “We are looking at ranges of 1-3 million into Poland for example ... A scenario of 1 to 5 million including all surrounding countries."
Missiles pounded the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Friday as Russian forces pressed their advance. Air raid sirens wailed over the city of 3 million people, where some were sheltering in underground metro stations.
Khan told the briefing; “As we speak, there have been major attacks in Kyiv that have created great fear and panic among the population with families really scared, moving alongside their children into subways and shelters. This is clearly a terrifying moment for children across the country."
She said: “We are still trying to see which civilian infrastructure in Ukraine has been hit where."
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She said that UNICEF was focusing on cash assistance to families, adding that the effect of Western sanctions, which have been imposed on Russia, will be analyzed in terms of the aid pipeline.
UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said that it had reports of at least 127 civilian casualties in Ukraine — 25 killed and 102 injured — “caused by shelling and air strikes.” She said that this was likely a significant under-estimate.
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Jarno Habicht, WHO representative in Ukraine, speaking by video from Kyiv, said that it had no reports from hospitals but was trying to monitor casualties and needs.
He said, the priority is to provide treatment for the wounded as well as mental health and psychological support.
Source: arabnews
