Ukraine rebels order UN out

In addition to the UN agencies, a number of international humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), have also been told to leave by Saturday.

Stephen O'Brien, the UN's humanitarian chief, said in a statement on Thursday that the rebel policy "is putting lives at risk" and could impact up to 3 million people as winter approaches.

Since July, pro-Russian rebels have curtailed humanitarian operations in eastern Ukraine and required humanitarian organizations to register with authorities in the breakaway region.

O'Brien accused the rebels of rejecting the applications of UN and international humanitarian organizations operating in the region.

"The de facto authorities in Luhansk and Donetsk have an obligation to allow and facilitate unimpeded and rapid humanitarian access," O'Brien said. "Their continued failure in this regard constitutes a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law."

The UN's humanitarian chief said the rebel's actions had prevented 16,000 tons of humanitarian assistance from reaching those in need, that treatment in hospitals has been impacted and food and water supplies remain at risk.

The UN's operations in Donetsk, the other rebel held territory in eastern Ukraine, remain on hold and humanitarian operations have been suspended.

In a veiled appeal to Russia, which has been accused of backing the rebels, O'Brien urged "everyone with influence over the de facto authorities to use that influence to ensure the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid."

The conflict in Ukraine between Kyiv and Russian backed rebels has killed an estimated 8,000 people and displaced more than 1 million since erupting in April 2014, according to the UN.

cw/sms (AFP, AP)