Internally Displaced Populations

Civilian Casualties

As of 25 September 2022, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 14,844 civilian casualties in the country:

• 5,996 killed (2,334 men, 1,605 women, 157 girls, and 190 boys, as well as 35 children and 1,675 adults whose sex is yet unknown)

• 8,848 injured (1,850 men, 1,356 women, 191 girls, and 264 boys, as well as 221 children and 4,966 adults whose sex is yet unknown)

Not all civilian casualties that were reported from 19 to 25 September have been included into the above figures. Some of them are still pending corroboration and if confirmed, will be reported on in future updates.

Sources: Ukraine: civilian casualty update 26 September 2022

ISSUES IN THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

The global generous response to the unending needs brought about the tragedy of war has been inspired by the resilience of the Ukrainian people who have been displaced by the war, but who persist in their faith in divine help, as expressed by ICMC Secretary-General Msgr. Robert Vitillo.

The level of humanitarian response across the country continues to pick up the pace. Since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, over 560 humanitarian organizations have reached nearly 12.8 million people.

Seven months into the war, the Government of Ukraine has made considerable progress in resisting Russian military aggression. Their success has changed the dynamics of the conflict, thus bringing to the fore new challenges that need to be factored into the humanitarian response.

1. Human Rights Abuses

Almost seven months to the day since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UN-appointed independent human rights investigators concluded that war crimes have indeed been committed in the conflict.

The Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, Erik Mose, provided an Update to the Human Rights Council on the progress of their investigation of events that took place in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy. After visiting 27 towns and settlements, interviewing more than 150 victims and witnesses, inspecting sites of destruction, graves, places of detention and torture, as well as weapon remnants, and meeting with a wide representation of Government authorities, international organizations, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders, the Commission had arrived at the main conclusion: that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine.

This assessment was borne out by key evidence, including:

• the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas;

• attacks on civilian populations and the use of cluster munitions and rocket systems in populated areas;

• incidents of sexual and gender-based violence on women and children.

While the investigation has focused on crimes on persons, the Commission will seek to investigate other types of violations, including the destruction of civilian infrastructure; the appropriation or destruction of economic resources; violations of the right to food.

There are fears that the escalation of the war by Russia will cause more atrocities and increased deaths especially among civilians. A particular concern is the nuclear threat made by President Putin.

Source: Update by the Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council

2. Winter Challenges and Preparations

The 2022/23 winter season is predicted to take a major toll on the population, with temperatures expected to drop to an average of -20 degrees Celsius in various regions. Due to ongoing and potentially intensified fighting, as well as the colder weather, a new wave of displacement is expected from eastern Ukraine. Newly displaced populations and those currently living in homes that are damaged, lack sufficient insulation, or have limited access to heating will bear the heaviest burden. The International Rescue Committee (IRC), in a 13 September press release, confirmed conclusions – that between the ongoing hostilities, damaged infrastructure and limited utilities – the coming winter will be especially hard for Ukrainians.

Military operations in September have also meant potential access to new areas of the country, with populations that have urgent humanitarian needs ahead of the winter season. Thus, it is expected that the response will need to boost basic survival requirements, such as shelter and food/non-food provisions.

The energy crisis continues to compound existing needs and brings implications for the humanitarian response. Prior to the conflict, the energy sector in Ukraine was a key factor driving economic growth as it represented 17 percent of GDP, and gas prices were relatively low. However, the war has greatly affected this previously stable sector, causing great increases in gas prices. Consequently, provision of energy to the most vulnerable becomes a top priority in the humanitarian response.

Requests for heating equipment and fuel from local authorities to prepare for the upcoming cold months have increased. However, partners’ capacities remain limited, even as international and local procurement is currently underway to help bridge the existing gaps.

The humanitarian program for children is now being adjusted by UNICEF towards more basic needs by prepositioning winter packages containing winter clothing, boots and blankets, as well as generators, heaters and fuel (pellets) in UNICEF warehouses and nine municipalities covering eastern, central and western zones for rapid response missions.

Repairs of homes, other shelter facilities, and heating systems have been initiated. In addition, non-food items, such as heating appliances, winter clothing, and fuel for cooking, are underway.

Sources: https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/ukraine/

IOM Response 2022

UNICEF Ukraine Humanitarian Situation Report No. 20, 24 August–6 September 2022

The war is expected to be prolonged beyond previously expected. Given an unpredictable timeframe, the humanitarian response must be able to evolve into an enduring endeavor. A report of the international NGO, Refugees International, raised the need to develop the capacities of the national and local governments, as well as civil society, to mount and sustain a local response

Sources: https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/ukraine/

Localizing the International Humanitarian Response in Ukraine

HOLY FATHER ON UKRAINE

Angelus - 2 October 2022

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

The course of the war in Ukraine has become so serious, devastating and threatening, as to cause great concern. Therefore, today I would like to devote the entire reflection before the Angelus to this. Indeed, this terrible and inconceivable wound to humanity, instead of healing, continues to shed even more blood, risking to spread further.

I am saddened by the rivers of blood and tears spilled in these months. I am saddened by the thousands of victims, especially children, and the destruction which has left many people and families homeless and threaten vast territories with cold and hunger. Certain actions can never be justified, never! It is disturbing that the world is learning the geography of Ukraine through names such as Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izium, Zaparizhzhia and other areas, which have become places of indescribable suffering and fear. And what about the fact that humanity is once again faced with the atomic threat? It is absurd.

What is to happen next? How much blood must still flow for us to realize that war is never a solution, only destruction? In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. Let there be a halt to arms, and let us seek the conditions for negotiations that will lead to solutions that are not imposed by force, but consensual, just and stable. And they will be so if they are based on respect for the sacrosanct value of human life, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, and the rights of minorities and legitimate concerns.

I deeply deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days, with further actions contrary to the principles of international law. It increases the risk of nuclear escalation, giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide.

My appeal is addressed first and foremost to the President of the Russian Federation, imploring him to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his own people. On the other hand, saddened by the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of the aggression they have suffered, I address an equally confident appeal to the President of Ukraine to be open to serious proposals for peace. I urge all the protagonists of international life and the political leaders of nations to do everything possible to bring an end to the war, without allowing themselves to be drawn into dangerous escalations, and to promote and support initiatives for dialogue. Please let the younger generations breathe the salutary air of peace, not the polluted air of war, which is madness!

After seven months of hostilities, let us use all diplomatic means, even those that may not have been used so far, to bring an end to this terrible tragedy. War in itself is an error and a horror!

Let us trust in the mercy of God, who can change hearts, and in the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace, as we raise our Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei, spiritually united with the faithful gathered at her Shrine and in so many parts of the world.

Cari fratelli e sorelle, buongiorno!

L’andamento della guerra in Ucraina è diventato talmente grave, devastante e minaccioso, da suscitare grande preoccupazione. Per questo oggi vorrei dedicarvi l’intera riflessione prima dell’Angelus. Infatti, questa terribile e inconcepibile ferita dell’umanità, anziché rimarginarsi, continua a sanguinare sempre di più, rischiando di allargarsi.

Mi affliggono i fiumi di sangue e di lacrime versati in questi mesi. Mi addolorano le migliaia di vittime, in particolare tra i bambini, e le tante distruzioni, che hanno lasciato senza casa molte persone e famiglie e minacciano con il freddo e la fame vasti territori. Certe azioni non possono mai essere giustificate, mai! È angosciante che il mondo stia imparando la geografia dell’Ucraina attraverso nomi come Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izium, Zaporizhzhia e altre località, che sono diventate luoghi di sofferenze e paure indescrivibili. E che dire del fatto che l’umanità si trova nuovamente davanti alla minaccia atomica? È assurdo.

Che cosa deve ancora succedere? Quanto sangue deve ancora scorrere perché capiamo che la guerra non è mai una soluzione, ma solo distruzione? In nome di Dio e in nome del senso di umanità che alberga in ogni cuore, rinnovo il mio appello affinché si giunga subito al cessate-il-fuoco. Tacciano le armi e si cerchino le condizioni per avviare negoziati capaci di condurre a soluzioni non imposte con la forza, ma concordate, giuste e stabili. E tali saranno se fondate sul rispetto del sacrosanto valore della vita umana, nonché della sovranità e dell’integrità territoriale di ogni Paese, come pure dei diritti delle minoranze e delle legittime preoccupazioni.

Deploro vivamente la grave situazione creatasi negli ultimi giorni, con ulteriori azioni contrarie ai principi del diritto internazionale. Essa, infatti, aumenta il rischio di un’escalation nucleare, fino a far temere conseguenze incontrollabili e catastrofiche a livello mondiale.

Il mio appello si rivolge innanzitutto al Presidente della Federazione Russa, supplicandolo di fermare, anche per amore del suo popolo, questa spirale di violenza e di morte. D’altra parte, addolorato per l’immane sofferenza della popolazione ucraina a seguito dell’aggressione subita, dirigo un altrettanto fiducioso appello al Presidente dell’Ucraina ad essere aperto a serie proposte di pace. A tutti i protagonisti della vita internazionale e ai responsabili politici delle Nazioni chiedo con insistenza di fare tutto quello che è nelle loro possibilità per porre fine alla guerra in corso, senza lasciarsi coinvolgere in pericolose escalation, e per promuovere e sostenere iniziative di dialogo. Per favore, facciamo respirare alle giovani generazioni l’aria sana della pace, non quella inquinata della guerra, che è una pazzia!

Dopo sette mesi di ostilità, si faccia ricorso a tutti gli strumenti diplomatici, anche quelli finora eventualmente non utilizzati, per far finire questa immane tragedia. La guerra in sé stessa è un errore e un orrore!

Confidiamo nella misericordia di Dio, che può cambiare i cuori, e nell’intercessione materna della Regina della pace, nel momento in cui si eleva la Supplica alla Madonna del Rosario di Pompei, spiritualmente uniti ai fedeli radunati presso il suo Santuario e in tante parti del mondo.

General Audience - 28 September 2022

And then a thought for martyred Ukraine, which is suffering so much, that poor people so cruelly tried. This morning I was able to speak with Cardinal Krajewski, who was on his way back from Ukraine and he told me about terrible things. Let us think of Ukraine and pray for this martyred people.

Rivolgo un cordiale benvenuto ai pellegrini di lingua italiana. In particolare, saluto i fedeli di Parete e di Battipaglia, auspicando che, con l’impegno di tutti, cresca il fervore religioso delle rispettive comunità parrocchiali. E poi un pensiero alla martoriata Ucraina, che sta soffrendo tanto, quel povero popolo così crudelmente provato. Questa mattina ho potuto parlare con il cardinale Krajewski che era di rientro dall’Ucraina e mi ha raccontato cose terribili. Pensiamo all’Ucraina e preghiamo per questo popolo martoriato.

Links to the full text in ITALIAN and ENGLISH

Pope appeals to Putin to stop war and Zelensky to be open to serious peace offers

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Depaul International, September 28

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