Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that “it is imperative that we explore all options for reaching civilians”, stressing that all parties to the fighting must allow and facilitate “humanitarian relief passed expeditiously and unimpeded”.
“I call on all parties to intensify their efforts to create favorable conditions so that we can reach all the people who are in need,” he said.
Cut out food, water, care
He noted that many communities along Ukraine’s northeastern border with Russia and the front lines of the war, were besieged, without water, food and medical care.
“Just last week in Kherson, residential buildings, schools, outpatient hospitals and aged care facilities were reported to have been damaged, leaving so many civilians in need of shelter and health care. . And the missile strikes in Odesa hit a humanitarian depot. A mobile hospital of the Ukrainian Red Cross in Mykolaiv was also attacked. Critical humanitarian supplies and medical equipment were destroyed.”
He said no staff or volunteers were injured but the threats continued. Civilians are not the target, he stressed, or homes, schools, hospitals and buildings where they live and work.
He stressed once again the need for a political solution and the importance of peace for Ukraine, given the civilian casualties during Russia’s continued occupation of the southern and eastern regions,” he said. surged to a multi-month high.”
More than 20,000 people died or were injured
UN human rights office, OHCHR, “now verified a staggering 23,600 civilian casualties as of February 24, 2022; we all know Actual numbers may be much higher” said Mr Griffiths.
Despite the constant dangers, “absolute bravery of humanitarian workersespecially local workers”, for the UN and other NGOs, this means that lifesaving assistance continues to be provided across the country.
He said almost 3.6 million people receive humanitarian assistance in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2023 with about 43 inter-agency convoys delivering food and necessities to about 278,000 people in frontline areas so far this year, “with local partners advancing delivery and distribution at the last mile”.
But he says more is needed “for our efforts to scale. The biggest challenges are still obstacles for Access to all areas in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are now under military control of the Russian Federation.”
Full access to these areas “continues to be explored through the engagement of both parties.”
Martin Griffiths (on screen), Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, presents a summary of the Security Council meeting on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
‘Recommendations’ for the Black Sea Initiative
Food exports according to Black Sea InitiativeHe told the ambassadors that along with food and fertilizer exports from Russia, continued to make an important contribution to global food security.
More 30 million tons goods has now been safely exported from Ukrainian ports, of which more than 55% went to developing countries and almost 6%, directly to the least developed countries.
This includes just under 600,000 tonnes of wheat shipped by the World Food Program (WFP), direct support for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Yemen.
Despite progress and falling food prices since last summer’s peak, “many there’s still a lot of work to do“.
“Predictable supplies for humanitarian food assistance operations continue to be required. The initiative mentions exporting ammonia, but this is not yet possible.
Over the past month, exports through Ukraine’s Black Sea ports have plummeted due to what the head of the United Nations aid agency called an “increasingly challenging dynamic” in the Joint Coordination Center (JCC). ), run by Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations and the United Nations. Türkiye, “and a related to a slowdown in activity.”
He ensures that in-depth negotiations “to secure agreement on its extension and the enhancements required for it to work efficiently and predictably”, which will continue over the next few days, with continued UN support for the “Memorandum of Understanding on Facilitating Russian exports of food and fertilizers.”
“For the reasons I have laid out, the continuation of the Black Sea Initiative is very important, as well as the parties’ commitment to its smooth and efficient operation. We urge all parties to fulfill their responsibilities in this regard.”
“The world is watching”, he emphasized.
A war no one can afford
Ultimately, he told the Council, it is clear that neither the people of Ukraine, or the millions around the world, who have suffered as a result of economic turmoil and supply chain problems, “cannot continue this war”.
Mr. Griffiths called for Security Council members and all nations, to support all efforts to end “the carnage and destruction.”
“In the meantime, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners remain committed to protecting the lives and dignity of those affected by war and pursuing peace – today, tomorrow and for as long as it is necessary.”
