蜜芽传媒

The United Nations says it's evacuated three hundred civilians from the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol where fierce battles are raging between local fighters and Russian forces. The UN's humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine said it worked with the Red Cross in the second phase of evacuations to move civilians to Zaporizhzhia, which is under Ukrainian control.

Many came with nothing but the clothes they were wearing and are now receiving help including psychological support. The first group of one-hundred civilians was evacuated from Mariupol on Monday.

Newsday heard about the challenges of the operation from Chris Hangar, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

鈥淭hese are highly complex operations鈥� but are a sign of hope. Since this is an active conflict there are many checkpoints, our teams facilitate negotiations鈥� to get people out. It鈥檚 a very dire situation.鈥�

(Pic: Evacuated people from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol and the surrounding areas arrive at the evacuation point in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine ; Credit: EPA)

Show less