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Escalation of conflict in Ukraine increases human suffering

Countries
Ukraine
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

HIGHLIGHTS

• 16 civilians have been killed and 75 injured by shelling, mines and small arms fire in August

• 950,000 people had limited access to safe drinking water in the second half of August

• A holistic humanitarian and recovery approach to winterisation is needed in this year’s programming

FIGURES

People killed 9,569

People wounded 22,212

Externally displaced 1.1 m

People in need (2016) 3.1 m

People targeted (2016) 2.5 m

Source: UNHCR, WHO, OHCHR

Escalation of the conflict increases human suffering

A renewed ceasefire was announced on 1 September, and while incidents continue to be reported, there has been a significant de-escalation. The conflict and its human consequences now go largely unnoticed, and this has a resultant implication on funding.
Over the last month, frequent and intense shelling and shooting in populated areas resulted in the highest number of civilian casualties for a year and damaged houses and civilian infrastructure, leaving numerous people without shelter, drinking water, electricity or other basic services.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 91 conflictrelated civilian casualties in Ukraine in August (16 killed and 75 injured). In June and July, 20 civilians had been killed and 122 injured altogether. Shelling, including from heavy artillery, which is prohibited according to the Minsk agreements, accounted for the majority (70 per cent) of civilian casualties in August. Small arms and light weapons caused 13 casualties (five deaths and eight injuries); seven casualties (two killed and five injured) were caused by mines and Explosive Remnants of War. Since the beginning of the conflict, at least 22,212 people have been wounded, and 9,569 have been killed. More than 2,000 of the fatalities were civilians.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.