Commission calls for unhindered humanitarian access in eastern Ukraine

Humanitarian and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides (pictured) has issued the following statement: "The decision of the de facto authorities of certain areas of the Luhansk region to remove humanitarian aid agencies from territories under their control will have a very negative humanitarian impact on the civilian population and cause the suspension of humanitarian operations.

"There are hundreds of thousands of people in the Luhansk region who urgently need aid. The United Nations and international non-governmental organisations provide vital assistance: food, medicine, shelter. This decision will only worsen the plight of the already affected civilian population, particularly at the onset of the harsh winter conditions.

"We expect all those with influence to enable the immediate resumption of much-needed humanitarian operations in certain areas of the Luhansk region and thus live up to their obligations under International Humanitarian Law."