Russia blocks UN aid for Kakhovka dam collapse victims

Moscow has rejected United Nations’ offers to help people in Russian-occupied areas affected by flooding from the collapsed Nova Kakhovka Dam.

The floods destroyed homes and farmland, forced the evacuation of thousands, contaminated supplies of drinking water and sparked fears of environmental disaster.

The UN urged Russia to act in accordance with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

“The UN will continue to do all it can to reach all people – including those suffering as a result of the recent dam destruction – who urgently need life-saving assistance, no matter where they are,” Denise Brown, UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said in a statement on Sunday.

“Aid cannot be denied to people who need it.”

The death toll from the disaster has risen to 52, with Russian officials saying 35 people had died in areas under its control and Ukraine’s interior ministry saying 17 had died and 31 were missing. More than 11,000 people have been evacuated on both sides.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/19/russia-blocks-un-aid-for-kakhovka-dam-collapse-victims

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Greenpeace names conditions for Kakhovka disaster lawsuit against Russia

A trial against Russia due to the Kakhovka Dam destruction may be launched at the International Criminal Court (ICC) if evidence emerges on concrete individuals involved, #Greenpeace legal advisor Daniel Simons said on June 13.

"There is an active campaign to recognize 'ecocide' as an international crime, but the international community has not yet reached an agreement on this issue," Simons commented.

"However, Article 8(2)(b)(iv) of the Rome Statute of the ICC qualifies as a crime the intentional attack that causes extensive, lasting, and serious damage to the surrounding natural environment, which will be clearly excessive in comparison with concrete and immediately expected general military advantage," he explained.

Simons said a war crimes trial may therefore be opened against specific individuals who ordered the dam's destruction, intentionally inflicting damage to the environment.

https://kyivindependent.com/media-greenpeace-names-conditions-for-kakhovka-disaster-lawsuit-against-russia/

#RussiaInvadedUkraine #ecocide #KakhovkaDam #ecology #flooding #pollution #WarCrimes #RussianWarCrimes #CrimesAgainstHumanity #ICC #InternationalLaw #PutinWarCriminal