The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine has only been in his position for three months. However, after speaking to many civilians caught in combat near the front line – and in cities living under constant threat of deadly drone strikes – he told UN News on Friday that the « determination to survive and rebuild » is palpable everywhere.
In an interview with Nargiz Shekinskaya, head of the Russian service at UN News, Matthias Schmale explained that one of the top priorities of the extensive UN aid operation, designed to assist the Ukrainian government in helping the 1.8 million most destitute people, is to keep people warm during another harsh winter, despite the loss of over half of their coal-based energy infrastructure.
Mr. Schmale described conversations with civilians living in fear in the southern city of Kherson, subjected to constant bombardments, where drones are clearly directed to attack civilians and buildings far from the front line.
« Sometimes drones do not strike, but simply follow people, because they can be heard – the trauma of being followed by a drone and not knowing if it is close, »
Mr. Schmale said he could only marvel at Ukrainians’ ability to carry on, « smiling, supporting their own people. »
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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