Conflicts & War

7 humanitarian corridors open for evacuations in Ukraine

Kyiv, Apr 5 (EFE).- Seven humanitarian corridors will be opened by the government of Ukraine Tuesday to evacuate citizens from the areas most affected by Russian bombing, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Facebook.

The most important corridor is that which runs between Zaporizhzhia and the city of Mariupol, which has been under bombardment by Russian troops almost since the beginning of the invasion, and does not have the basic services for its dwindling population.

The industrial port city on the Sea of Azov once had almost half a million residents and, at present, the authorities say only about 160,000 remain.

According to the city council, almost 80 percent of the buildings in the city have been destroyed or seriously damaged by Russian bombing.

Vereshchuk denounced that, despite the compromises reached with the Russians, the “the occupying troops do not let anyone drive to Mariupol,” making it impossible for humanitarian aid to arrive.

“The occupiers blocked the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the (nearby) city of Mangush. After the negotiations at night they were released and sent (back) to Zaporizhzhia,” she said.

Also from the coastal city of Mangush in the direction of Berdyansk, a total of seven buses have been arranged that will be accompanied by the ICRC. From there, those who manage to leave the nearby municipalities and Mariupol will be transfered to Zaporizhzhia.

The Ukrainian government has reported the slow evacuation that has occurred in recent days in Mariupol, where just a few hundred citizens manage to flee daily and most in their private vehicles. EFE

int-rml/tw

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