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UN refugee agency reports 'appalling' conditions in eastern Ukraine

The number of internally displaced persons in Ukraine had reached 1.1 million, the agency said

GENEVA, March 10. /TASS/. Humanitarian conditions in war-torn east Ukraine regions controlled by Kiev government forces are of special concern, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees told reporters on Tuesday.

Conditions in the northern part of embattled Donetsk and Luhansk were "particularly appalling" due to electricity and water shortages caused by shelling, the agency's William Spindler said.

"Of special concern was the situation in regions controlled by the Ukrainian government," Spindler said. This was worsened by lack of access to allowances and services previously provided by the central government and notably by restrictions on the movement of people and goods, he added.

The number of internally displaced persons in Ukraine had reached 1.1 million, the agency said, adding that 674,000 people had found shelter outside their country, of which 542,000 were in Russia and 80,700 in Belarus.

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