Matthias Schmale. (Archive) Ukraine: UN humanitarian coordinator condemns attack on transit center in Pokrovsk International Law
Commenting on the strike by Russian armed forces on a transit centre in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region of Ukraine, the UN humanitarian coordinator in the country, Matthias Schmale, condemned the attack and recalled the need to respect international humanitarian law.
“I am alarmed by the news from the Donetsk region, where another attack by Russian armed forces damaged a transit centre in the town of Pokrovsk, where people who had already fled for safety were seeking refuge,” Schmale said in a statement.
“The civilian population and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian objects that are crucial for saving lives, are protected by international humanitarian law,” he added.
The new UN coordinator, Matthias Schmale, took up his duties just over a week ago. He succeeds Denise Brown.
Previously, Schmale served as a senior adviser at the United Nations Development Coordination Office and has held several positions at the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNRWA), the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and other humanitarian and development organizations.