The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called on Russia and Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure, including power plants and water systems, amid winter approached and already struggling system after years armed conflict between the two nations — exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Ariane Bauer, the ICRC’s regional director for Europe and central Asia disclosed this in a statement posted of its verified X handle @ICRC.
The united nations body said attacks on these facilities are putting civilians at risk, and the ICRC emphasizes that such infrastructure is safeguarded under international humanitarian law.
“Families depend on these essential services to survive the bitterly cold months ahead. Yet every attack each winter that affects water systems, power plants, and other vital infrastructure disrupts their access to these lifelines,” said the statement.
“Critical infrastructure enabling the delivery of essential services for the civilian population, including water and electricity, is protected under international humanitarian law (IHL),” it further said.
“Every precaution must be taken to spare both civilians and the essential services they rely on,” it added.
ICRC added that when an electricity supply is interrupted, the water taps run dry and heating goes off, the development which always left civilians vulnerable.