Humanitarian corridors are safe zones that help in averting catastrophes and providing relief. Read to know what they are and the possibility of their abuse.
What are humanitarian corridors?
Humanitarian corridors are one of the several forms to temporarily pause armed conflict. The demilitarized one has a specific time and both sides have to agree on the time and place. They act as safe corridors for food and medical aid. It also helps in evacuating civilians. Such an area is vital when cities are under siege and the population does not have access to basic necessities such as food, water, and electricity. They are the source of crucial relief during large-scale bombings and other humanitarian catastrophes that violates the International law of war.
Most of the time United Nations sets and negotiates the humanitarian corridors. However, local groups also set them up. Since all parties need to agree on the time and location, there can be a risk of political or military abuse. Many a time, people also smuggle in weapons and fuel. Additionally, UN observers, journalists, and NGOs may use them for gaining access to contested areas and the war crimes committed there. They have been in use since the mid-20th century.
Russia-Ukraine conflict: Status of corridors
On March 5, during a five-hour cease-fire, both nations decided on setting up a humanitarian corridor in eastern Ukraine. It was for allowing 200,000 people from Mariupol and 15,000 people from Volnovakha to evacuate. However, according to the Mariupol city administration, they were changed for security reasons. The attempt was a failure since Russian troops did not stop bombing the city. Ukraine stated that in Kherson, Russia did not fulfill the promise of a corridor. Additionally, 19 vehicles with humanitarian aid were not allowed entry.
However, RIA, the Russian news agency stated that nationalists were stopping civilians from escaping. They added that Russian troops came under firing. (Xanax) “First they brought the situation to a critical state, and then they rescue us so that we can thank our ‘benefactor’ for the cameras,” wrote Kherson Mayor Igor Kolykhaiev on Facebook. “There was an agreement on humanitarian corridors. Did that work? Russian tanks worked in its place, Russian Grads (multiple rocket launchers), Russian mines,” Zelensky said in a video posted on Telegram. “They ensure that a small corridor to the occupied territory is open for a few dozen people. Not so much towards Russia as towards the propagandists, directly towards the television cameras,” he added.