OCHA representative urges council to act after reported strike on college dormitory in Duhansk

An OCHA representative told the council that reports indicate a strike on a college dormitory in the Duhansk region housing minors and students "reportedly caused scores of civilian casualties, including children," and that the situation remains unfolding.

The speaker cited United Nations figures since February 2022, saying the U.N. has "recorded nearly 16,000 civilians killed and more than 44,000 injured," and added that the real numbers are likely higher.

The briefing also reported a separate incident in Dnipro: "A ballistic missile struck a UNHCR contracted warehouse in Dnipro on the night of 19 to 20 May, killing 2 warehouse workers and destroying more than 1,000,000 worth of aid, including blankets and hygiene kits intended for evacuees and people sheltering in collective sites," the OCHA representative said.

The speaker said this was the fifth hit on humanitarian workers and assets in nine days and warned that the pattern of attacks "defies international humanitarian law," calling on all parties to take "all feasible precautions" to avoid and minimize civilian harm.

"Civilians must be protected," the OCHA representative told the council, and added that protecting civilians also means allowing voluntary movement to safer areas and ensuring essential services for those who relocate.

The representative reiterated OCHA's willingness to "work with all parties to support safe, voluntary, dignified evacuations and to ensure sustained humanitarian access to frontline communities on both sides of the line." They asked the council to use its influence to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and "that there is accountability when it is violated."

The OCHA representative emphasized that civilians need more than statements of concern: "They need concrete action that protects them from death and injury and ensures humanitarian assistance continues to reach them wherever they are and when they need it most." The briefing concluded with the speaker thanking the council.

Authorities cited in the briefing included references to "international humanitarian law" and a specific strike on a UNHCR-contracted warehouse; the transcript did not specify a currency for the value of destroyed aid or identify which party carried out the attacks.