On Friday, the International Committee of the Red Cross posted parts of the Geneva Conventions to remind Russia that civilians and civilian infrastructure should not be targeted — and critically, that civilians must be allowed to leave a conflict zone to seek safety.
Ukraine has now asked the Red Cross to set up what are called humanitarian corridors after negotiators from Ukraine and Russia agreed on Thursday to create safe zones for civilians and aid groups to move. In their plea to the Red Cross, Ukraine says people in Kherson, Kyiv, Chernihiv and elsewhere ‘desperately need help, citing a dangerous lack of food, water, electricity and medicine.’
“The situation in a number of Ukrainian cities and villages is critical,” said Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. “The world must act.”
The Washinton Post reports that details of the cease-fires—which followed a second round of tense talks Thursday—are still being worked out.
Ukraine needs Russia to agree to temporary cease-fires along certain areas to create these humanitarian corridors for the safe evacuation of civilians and delivery of vital supplies.
Here’s one way you can help.