International Medical Corps Situation Update: Report #3

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "special military operation" in Ukraine, invading the neighboring nation in an attack that has been condemned by world leaders. Missile attacks and explosions have been reported throughout Ukraine, with military troops invading from three sides of the country. Since the start of the invasion, at least 364 civilians have been killed, including 14 children, and 1,684 people have been wounded, including 116 children. However, UN OHCHR believes these numbers to be much higher, as casualties in some areas remain undercounted.According to UN OCHA, the attempted evacuation of civilians from the southeast regions of Mariupol and Volnovaka was postponed after being scheduled for March 5. The attempted safe passage of those who remain trapped was thwarted by increasing attacks along the evacuation route, despite assurances of cooperation with a ceasefire. A second humanitarian corridor was planned for March 6, but did not materialize due to similar circumstances. Additional evacuation routes are being urgently explored, along with a possible humanitarian corridor out of Kharkiv in northern Ukraine. Though more than 1.7 million Ukrainians have fled the country, many remain and are in desperate need of food, water and medicine. Affected populations have been unable to receive relief due to the military attacks in and around various cities. Thirty trucks with humanitarian relief supplies remain unable to deliver provisions, as there is no way to safely reach people