Head of UNICEF Appalled by Attack on Maternity Hospital in Ukraine
GENEVA (AA) – The head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Wednesday she is “horrified” by an attack on a maternity hospital in Mariupol.
“We do not yet know the number of casualties but fear the worst,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“This attack, if confirmed, underscores the horrific toll this war is exacting on Ukraine’s children and families.”
Russell said that in less than two weeks since Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine, at least 37 children have been killed and 50 injured while more than 1 million children have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries.
She said UNICEF renews its call for an immediate cease-fire and urges all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect children from harm and to ensure that humanitarian actors can safely and quickly reach children in need.”
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said before the attack was reported that “so far, the WHO has verified 18 attacks on health facilities, health workers and ambulances,” in which there were 10 deaths and 16 injuries.
The day before, the WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, told journalists at a press conference that the “WHO strongly condemns these attacks on health care services,” after reporting attacks on health services and workers.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
