The humanitarian warehouse of Caritas-Spes Ukraine, a partner of Caritas Luxembourg, burnt down in Lviv

At around 5.00 am on Tuesday 19 September 2023, the city of Lviv in western Ukraine was rocked by explosions and a major fire. Following an attack by Russian drones, several industrial warehouses were completely destroyed. Among them, the humanitarian aid warehouse of our local partner, Caritas-Spes Ukraine. Caritas Luxembourg and Caritas Spes-Ukraine work closely together and have been working together for many months in several regions of Ukraine, particularly on major reconstruction projects.

There were no fatalities in this fire, but our partner's humanitarian warehouse and a large part of the 300 tonnes of humanitarian goods it contained were reduced to ashes. Although the humanitarian transport vehicles were saved, the known losses nevertheless amounted to 33 pallets of food parcels, 10 pallets of hygiene parcels and tinned food, 10 pallets of electrical generators and clothing, representing an estimated value of several hundred thousand euros. A full inventory of the losses has yet to be finalised. The fire is still being extinguished by the special services.

Humanitarian workers, facilities and property are protected and attacks, whether direct or indiscriminate, are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. However, attacks on humanitarian resources have increased dramatically in recent months, making those already suffering the consequences of war even more vulnerable. Caritas Luxembourg therefore strongly condemns this act.