Achim Steiner, head of the UN Development Program (UNDP) and Vice-President of the UN’s Sustainable Development Group told delegates that he had just returned from a war-torn country, and noted “the incredible determination of citizens to adapt , to recover and to rebuild. “
“The United Nations has developed a clear picture of it inform targeted recovery through Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment developed with our partners”, he said.
He added that the UN continues efforts to provide aid to all those in need, including in areas currently under Russian control where humanitarian access is severely limited.
Agriculture and environment
To chart a way forward, Mr. Steiner said the UN and partners are developing a disaster response with a focus on agriculture and the environment.
He said that by 2023, the UN will increase its recovery efforts, implementing $1 billion of recovery and development programming in line with the Government’s priorities, led by 24 different UN offices and more than 3,700 employees.
Mr. Steiner pointed out that the UN commitment to stay and deliver in Ukraine is demonstrated by local level recovery – integrated planning, sequencing, and installation of our humanitarian, development, and support for social integration.
Rescue workers were killed and injured
The World Food Program (WFP) humanitarian chief on the ground, Matthew Hollingworth, is stopped an attack on Kherson on Tuesday said killing and injuring rescue workers from Ukraine’s emergency service.
He said the incident was yet another example of the humanitarian impact of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, reminding the country of its obligations to protect civilians, including rescue workers, under international humanitarian law.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Wednesday that agencies are continuing “to work non-stop“to help those affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, help the “miracle work” of volunteers and government responders.
“Two weeks since the disaster, UN agencies and humanitarian partners organized convoys between 12 companies, including two by boat and large trucks, delivered. 50 loads of essential materials to help people in the Kherson region and those living in the Dnipro Region”, aided Mr. Dujarric.
Access to Drinking water continues to be extremely limited because of disaster.
“Totally, and in all affected areas, the UN – together with our partners – delivered more than two million liters of water, 130,000 ready-to-eat meals, cleaning supplies, medical supplies, shelter equipment, sleeping bags, blankets and other essentials.”
The ‘Marshall Plan’ is needed to stop the destructive effects of the economy
Another product of the attack on Russia is the epidemic of land resurrections planted by terrorists during their operations in the country since February last year.
Tens of thousands will need to be withdrawn to put the country’s economy back on track and grow food for the rest of the world, UNDP said on Wednesday.
The UN agency has been mandated by the Government of Ukraine to address the economic impact of mine corruption “in years, not decades“, Paul Heslop, of UNDP, who led my work in the country, told reporters in Geneva.
He told reporters in Geneva that a “Marshall-style approach” to mine clearance is needed, so that agricultural land can be returned to use as quickly as possible.
A program implemented by the Truman Administration in 1947 helped restore the economic infrastructure of Europe after World War II.
“I think it is very realistic for us to tell the international community, make a deal in the next five years, and we will see Ukraine reclaim its place as an agricultural powerhouse, and that will affect the world,” Mr Heslop said. “It will lower the cost of food for everyone.”
UNDP believes that with “the right resources and the right commitment”, the world can help Ukraine to remove 75 percent of the economic impact of mining by 2028, Mr. Heslop said.
He stressed that this would require innovative enhancements such as satellite imagery and drones alongside traditional surveillance techniques.
More investment in training and equipment will also be needed and new loan programs so farmers can clear land.
