It has now been a month since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has turned into a security and humanitarian catastrophe, with millions fleeing their homes, amid attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians.

It soon became clear that civilian areas and buildings would not be safe from attack: several hospitals have been hit by Russian shells and bombs over the last month.

In many cities, schools and residential blocks have also been targeted by the invading army, despite Mr. Grandi calling for civilian lives and infrastructure to be “protected and safeguarded at all times, in line with international humanitarian law”

Many of the millions who have fled their homes – the vast majority of whom are women and children – are staying in neighbouring Poland, hoping to return home, once the fighting stops.

The situation in Mariupol is becoming more and more desperate for those who have not left the coastal city, which has been the scene of fierce fighting.

The World Health Organization said, on Wednesday, that due to the ongoing violence, the agency has not been able to send in any humanitarian convoys. 
 

“I saw families arrive at the border, and then the father would hug his wife, hug his children, and then go back to Kyiv, or wherever he came from. These were heart-breaking scenes.”, Chris Melzer, a UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson, told UN News.

There is no way of knowing how the Russian invasion of Ukraine will end, or when the fighting will stop. “This is a grim milestone that could have lasting consequences for generations to come”, said Catherine Russell, head of the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, on Thursday.