– Caritas condemns the devastating rocket attack in Odessa and calls for international support, says Alexander Røskestad, country representative for Caritas Norway.

Yesterday's rocket attack on Odessa resulted in one of the highest casualty rates so far in the war in an attack aimed solely at civilian infrastructure. Today, the city and region are mourning the loss of at least 21 lives (the number is rising). Caritas Norway's country representative Alexander Røskestad is in Kyiv and is following the work closely. He will travel to Odessa during the week.

The bombing destroyed a three-story recreational facility and damaged at least 10 private homes, as well as a gas station, a low-pressure gas pipeline, an ambulance, and fire engines.

– Caritas reinforces our ongoing humanitarian work. The ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure are a stark reminder of the relentless aggression from Russia in this brutal war, says Røskestad.

This is yet another rocket attack on peaceful cities. Recently, the residents of Kryvyi Rih have been subjected to significant destruction, while Kharkiv remains under constant rocket fire. The shelling of frontline areas shows no signs of stopping, and Caritas Kramatorsk and Caritas Pokrovsk is working in life-threatening conditions. Even the southern regions, where people are returning, are under threat. The aggressor wants to annihilate Ukraine and destroy us.

Caritas has active humanitarian work in the region, which includes supporting civilians with housing for internally displaced persons, cash assistance, and child-friendly places to stay. Caritas has supported 3.9 million people in Ukraine over the past 2 years.