The UN’s head of political affairs Rosemary DiCarlo gave a brief introduction to the ambassadors, who pointed to the recent agreement on the safe resumption of grain exports through the Black Sea as a spark in the conflict. conflict, although acknowledging that the prospects for peace remain dim.
“The grain deal is an indication that dialogue between the parties is possible in the search to alleviate human suffering,” speak Ms. DiCarlo, officially the Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding.
She added that the UN is doing its best to support the implementation of the agreement signed last week in Türkiye.
Diplomatic efforts needed
The impact of war globally is “clearly obvious”, Ms. DiCarlo said, noting that the consequences will only become more apparent if fighting persists, especially as it begins in the summer. winter.
“Despite the encouraging developments in cereals and fertilizers, we remain deeply concerned about the lack of prospects for a meaningful transition towards a meaningful resumption of diplomatic efforts to end the war,‘ she told the Council.
“Escalatory rhetoric from any side, including about expanding the conflict geographically or denying Ukraine’s state role, is inconsistent with the constructive spirit embodied in Istanbul. .”
UNIC Ankara / Levent Kulu
Secretary General António Guterres (left) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the signing ceremony of the Black Sea Grains Initiative in Istanbul, Türkiye..
The attacks continue unabated
Ms. DiCarlo said that since her last briefing at the end of June, deadly attacks by Russian forces have continued unabated, leaving many Ukrainian cities and towns in ruins. broken.
The number of civilians killed, wounded or wounded also increased. As of Wednesday, there had been 12,272 civilian casualties, including 5,237 deaths, according to the United Nations human rights office, OHCHR.
“This number represents at least 1,641 new civilian casualties since my last briefing: 506 dead and 1,135 wounded. These are numbers based on verified incidents; this actual number is significantly higher,” she speaks.
Winter Threat
Ms. DiCarlo also warned of reported attempts to change the administrative structure in practice, including try to introduce local regulators in Russian-controlled regionsraised serious concerns about the political impact of the war.
“As the conflict enters a more protracted phase, attention increasingly turns to its longer-term humanitarian, recovery, reconstruction and socioeconomic impact. As summer passes, the need for frozen planning also becomes urgent,” she said.
“Unfortunately, political dialogue has been almost stopped, leave everyone there is no hope that peace will come soon. ”
UN agencies also continue to document damage and destruction to civilian infrastructure such as homes, schools and medical facilities.
The impact on the health sector, she said, is “particularly alarming”, as there have been 414 attacks so farresulted in 85 deaths and 100 injuries.
“This includes 350 attacks on facilities in conflict zones, where an average of 316,000 patients are treated each month,” she said.
Support millions
Since the beginning of the war, the UN and its humanitarian partners have provided aid to a number of 11 million people, including forms of food and livelihood support, protection services, demining, and access to safe water and sanitation.
Nearly six million Ukrainian refugees have found shelter across Europe. Since the war began on February 24, the total number of people crossing the border from Ukraine is more than 9.5 million, while the number of people crossing into Ukraine is 3.8 million.
“We are concerned that winter will make it harder for migrant or repatriated communities to access shelter and health care,” Ms. DiCarlo said.
© UNICEF / Ashley Gilbertson VII
A 12-year-old boy visits his mother in hospital for the first time since she was injured a month ago by flying shrapnel.
Impact on women
She also draws attention to the specific impact of war on women and girls, particularly in areas such as food security and health.
Women’s access to health services, including sexual and reproductive health, is rapidly declining, as is access to infant and child health care. They are now also largely responsible for homeschooling, as access to education is severely hampered by the constant bomb threat.
“Moreover, women in Ukraine have to face greatly increase safety and protection risk,” she added.
“Gender-based incidents of violence, including allegations of sexual violence in conflict have increased, but services for survivors are inadequate. It is also likely that many victims and survivors are currently unable to report their cases.”
Ms. DiCarlo stressed that especially for these reasons, women must be meaningful participants in discussions and initiatives to shape the future of the country, including peace negotiations, recovery efforts, peace-building efforts and accountability.
Hope for grain shipments
According to her official Twitter account, the top UN humanitarian official in Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, was in the port city of Odessa on Friday, along with the country’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and delegates porcelain from the G7 countries.
This week sees the start of operations under the grain export agreement, known as the Joint Coordination Center (JCC), which will oversee ships transporting grain, as well as related food and fertilizer. , from Odessa and two other ports along the Black Sea.
The JCC brings together representatives from Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye and the UN.
Ms. Lubrani writes that she is “very hopeful about the movement of the ships to happen soonbringing necessary grains and related foods from Ukraine to the countries that need them most”.
She added that it was an honor to speak with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm the United Nations’ continued support for Ukraine.
The visit came on Ms. Lubrani’s final day as the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. Her successor, Denise Brown, will take up the position starting Saturday.
Humanitarians call for greater outreach
A United Nations humanitarian official in the capital Kyiv said the launch of the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) was an example of how the international community can influence change even in the midst of a global crisis. war in Ukraine.
Saviano Abreu of the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHAwas one of a number of representatives from six United Nations agencies briefed journalists on their ongoing activities in support of the millions of people both inside and outside Ukraine who were affected by the conflict. conflicts take lives.
“Although the world’s attention seems to be shifting elsewhere, the situation in the country has not changed,” he said.
While humanitarians have supported 11 million people to date, he said “we know that is not enough”.
Abreu reported that since the start of the Russian invasion, aid workers have been unable to send relief supplies to areas beyond the government’s control.
He stressed the obligation to allow free and safe humanitarian travel for everyone in need.
“We saw this week that When there is a will, everything can changee,” said Mr. Abreu, referring to the JCC launch.
“Now we have to go one step further and make sure no one is left here too in Ukraine. We need the parties to gently agree on humanitarian access to all parts of Ukraine, so that we can save the lives and ease the suffering of those who have endured these five months of war.”
