UN concerned by LPR ordering UN agencies out of its territory

14:12, 25.09.2015 1 min read

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O'Brien has expressed concern that the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) has ordered UN agencies to end operations and leave militia-controlled territory.

In a statement, O'Brien said the "de facto authorities in eastern Ukraine have ordered UN agencies in Luhansk to end operations and to leave the area by tomorrow, September 25."

The order for UN agencies to leave "follows the de facto authorities' rejection of applications by UN agencies and all international NGOs (non-governmental organizations) working in Luhansk to work in the area," he said.

O'Brien said he was also concerned by the situation "regarding the accreditation and registration of international NGOs in Donetsk," where "all UN agency operations have been suspended" as well.

O'Brien also urged the "de facto authorities in Luhansk and Donetsk to permit and facilitate humanitarian missions' unhindered and rapid access."

He called the current situation "a blatant violation of international humanitarian law."