The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) condemns the expulsion without cause on 24 September 2015 by Russia-backed terrorists in Luhansk of UN agencies and international nongovernmental organizations providing humanitarian assistance in the area in blatant violation of international law and in contravention of the Minsk agreements.
As a result of the decision by leaders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic up to three million people are at risk of being denied access to food, water, medicine, shelter and clothing in advance of winter. Sixteen thousand tons of immediate, life-saving humanitarian assistance is now being blocked from reaching those in need.
In addition to being deprived of the basic human needs, the local population in the areas affected by Russian aggression has been severely impacted by the destruction of housing and infrastructure, and the breakdown of services.
“The Ukrainian World Congress calls on the international community to strongly condemn this most recent appalling act by the Russia-backed terrorists holding segments of the population of Eastern Ukraine hostage and to facilitate the unhindered movement of humanitarian assistance and personnel in the war‑torn region,” urged UWC President Eugene Czolij.
