EU calls for humanitarian aid to be allowed into occupied Oleshky

European Union on September 29 called to ensure the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid to the temporarily Russian-occupied Oleshky in Kherson region. This was stated in Brussels by a representative of the European Commission, Eva Grnchirzhova. Her words were cited by European Pravda with reference to Deutsche Welle.

What is happening in Oleshky is unacceptable, — said Eva Grnchirzhova.

The representative of the European Commission emphasized that international humanitarian law provides for the provision of basic assistance to civilians who are in an armed conflict zone.

We call to ensure humanitarian access to this area; it must be provided in accordance with the norms of international humanitarian law — without any discrimination or impediments. Civilians must be allowed to leave combat areas, and they should be able to do so safely and voluntarily, — said Eva Grnchirzhova.

According to her, the EU is closely monitoring events in Oleshky and in other territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia. At the same time, humanitarian organizations still find it difficult to reach the city.

There are serious restrictions impeding humanitarian access, including the absence of humanitarian corridors, which you mentioned. We are trying to gain access to this area together with our humanitarian partners. We are working with international organizations, with Ukraine, — said Eva Grnchirzhova.

Efforts are being made to organize aid through the large-scale humanitarian support channel for Ukraine that the EU has been providing since the start of Russia‘s full-scale invasion.

The humanitarian situation in Oleshky has repeatedly been the subject of statements by Ukrainian authorities and reports in international media. On September 16 the German outlet Bild reported a humanitarian blockade of the city. According to journalists, during the summer residents mainly ate produce from their own gardens, but after the season ended the food shortage became critical.

On the same day Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that Russia for a long time had not confirmed its readiness to carry out the evacuation of civilians from Oleshky, although the parties had prior agreements and the mission algorithms had already been prepared.

According to the Oleshky City Military Administration, the last time food was delivered to the occupied city was May 26. There were also reports of cases when local residents had to eat dogs.

September 20 Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybyha announced that Ukraine is bringing the situation in Oleshky and other occupied communities of Kherson region to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly. On September 26 he called on international organizations to mobilize resources to deliver humanitarian aid to the city.

September 27 the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, reported that Ukrainian forces delivered about 4 tons of food to occupied Oleshky by drones to 100 different locations.

Earlier we wrote:

• Occupied Oleshky: evacuation lists formed and a decision on opening a route is being considered
• Humanitarian catastrophe: water is running out in Oleshky and people are dying daily
• In cellars without food and water: near Oleshky and in the city itself 6,000 Ukrainians await rescue
• People trapped without water, food and medicine: MFA raises the alarm over the humanitarian situation in occupied Kherson region
• Occupied Oleshky on the brink: water shortages, drivers dying; Lubinets demands a corridor from the RF and action by the ICRC