Ukraine: It is important to ‘explore all options’ to reach citizens – UN relief chief
Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said “it is important that we explore all options to reach civilians”, stressing that all parties to the conflict must allow and facilitate a “quick and seamless way of humanitarian relief”.
“I urge the parties to strengthen facilitation efforts so that we can reach all citizens in need,” he said.
Cut off from food, water, treatment
He noted that many areas in the northeastern border area of Ukraine with Russia and the front of the conflict, are surrounded, without access to water, food and medical care.
“Last week in Kherson, residential buildings, a school, a hospital, and an elderly care center were reportedly destroyed, leaving many citizens in need of shelter and health care. . And the weapons attacks in Odesa hit the people’s warehouse. The Ukrainian Red Cross mobile hospital in Mykolaiv was also attacked. Humanitarian supplies and critical medical equipment have been destroyed. “
He said no staff or volunteers were injured but the threats continued. Citizens must not be the target, he stressed, nor the houses, schools, hospitals and homes, where they live and work.
He emphasized again, the need for a political solution, and the importance of peace for Ukraine, with civilian casualties during the ongoing Russian occupation in parts of the south and east, “rising to their highest levels in months.” “
Over 20,000 were killed or injured
The UN office in charge of human rights, OHCHR, “has confirmed that 23,600 civilians have been killed since the 24th of the second month of 2022; we all know them The actual price may be higher”, said Mr Griffiths.
Despite the constant dangers, the “ordinary hero of the humanitarian workEspecially local workers”, for the UN and other NGOs, means life-saving aid continues to be delivered throughout the country.
He said almost 3.6 million people received humanitarian aid in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2023 with 43 company convoys providing food and essential supplies to some 278,000 people in the front areas until this year, “with local partners doing the last mile delivery and sharing.”
But he said more is needed “to bring our efforts to scale. The biggest challenge is the obstacles reach all areas in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are currently under the military control of the Russian Federation.
Full access to these areas “continues to be explored through engagement with both parties.”
Martin Griffiths (on screen), Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Assistance Coordinator, briefed the Security Council meeting on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
‘Recommitment’ to the Black Sea Initiative
Food produced under the Black Sea Initiative, together with food and fertilizer exports from Russia, continues to make a significant contribution to global food security, he told delegates.
More than 30 million metric tons of cargo is safely exported from Ukrainian ports, of which more than 55 percent goes to developing countries and close to six percent, directly to Least Developed Countries.
This includes just under 600,000 metric tons of wheat transported by the World Food Program (WFP), in direct support of humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Yemen.
Despite the improvement and lower food prices from past summer highs, “a lot more remains to be done“.
“Predictive supplies for humanitarian food assistance services continue to be needed. The initiative refers to the export of ammonia, but this is not yet possible.
In the past month, there has been a significant reduction in exports passing through Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, due to what the UN relief chief called “increasingly challenging forces” within the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCC), of Russia, Ukraine, UN and managed. Turkiye, “and a related reduction in services.”
It ensures that the intensive words “to secure agreement on its extension and the improvements required for it to work effectively and predictably“, will continue in the next few days, with continued UN support for the “Memorandum of Understanding on the ease of Russian food and fertilizer exports.”
“For the reasons I have decided, The continuation of the Black Sea Initiative is critical, such as recommitment by the party to its smooth and efficient operation. We call on all parties to meet their responsibilities in this regard. “
“The world is watching“, he emphasized.
War no one can take
He concluded by telling the Commission it was clear that neither the people of Ukraine, nor the millions around the world suffering due to economic turmoil and supply chain issues, “can afford to continue this war.”
Mr. Griffiths called on the members of the Security Council and all countries, to support all efforts to end “killing and destruction.”
At this time, the United Nations and our humanitarian partners are committed to protecting the lives and dignity of people affected by war and to the pursuit of peace – today, tomorrow, and as long as possible.”
