Particularly the United Nations document more than 33,000 civilians will die in armed conflicts in 2023 – a whopping 72% increase from the previous year – Joyce Msuya, Deputy UN Relief Coordinator, told ambassadors to the UN. Security Council.
She said that with the actual figure “likely to be higher”, the harm and suffering caused to civilians in 2023 “signals an alarming lack of compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.” international”.
She went on to emphasize that “the reality is Much of the civilian harm we see in today’s conflicts is occurring even when the parties claim to be acting in accordance with the law..”
Gaza: War on Children
The senior UN humanitarian drew particular attention to the desperate situation in Gaza, where Israel’s military operation is ongoing – following the brutal October 7 attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups – have “leading to death, destruction and suffering at a speed and scale unprecedented in the recent past.”
Tens of thousands of people have killed and injured. More than 75% of the region’s population has been forced to relocate and famine is looming.
“Thousands of children were killed and injured in what UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) colleagues have called a ‘war against children,'” she said, adding that an estimated 130 Israelis remained hostages amid concerns about their treatment. be humane to them.
► Watch Ms. Msuya’s press conference before the Security Council
A school in El Geneina in West Darfur, which served as a shelter for displaced people, was burned down. (document)
Sudan: Real and growing risk of genocide
Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, also spoke before the Security Council, sounding the alarm about the situation in Sudan.
The bloody conflict between rival armies, which began in April, resulted Serious ethnic violenceespecially in Darfur and El Fryer.
“The population is targeted on the basis of identity [they] was attacked and killed because of the color of their skinbecause of their ethnicity, because of who they are,” she said.
She emphasized the urgency of ensuring civilians are protected.
“The risk of genocide exists in Sudan. It is real and growing every day.”
From April to December, about 12,260 people were killed and more than 33,000 were injured. Millions more have been forced to flee their homes, many of whom have fled to neighboring countries, sparking a regional crisis.
Critical civil infrastructure and services, including hospitals, clinics, schools, electricity, water and sanitation networks, were severely damaged.
► Watch Ms. Nderitu’s press conference before the Security Council
Ukraine: Heavy weapons enter civilian areas
Msuya, who is also deputy head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, emphasized the impact of explosive weapons on residential areas.
In Ukraine, using such weapons in populated areas is dangerous. leading cause of civilian casualties. According to a report, in 2023, civilian casualties from landmines and remnants of war increased by 16%, with 116 civilians killed and 383 injured. United Nations report on the global status of protection of civilians, issued last week.
Furthermore, the conflict continues to damage the country’s natural environment and biodiversity.
Groundwater and surface water are exposed to toxic chemicals and pollution due to strikes on fuel infrastructure.
Other crisis hot spots
The report also highlights the impact of conflicts in many other areas.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 219,000 victims have been reported. Mali saw 1,300 civilians killed, while Myanmar witnessed Conflict increased with airstrikes and shelling, especially affecting urban areas.
Violence in northeast Nigeria left 4,533 civilians dead and more than 1,400 civilians killed or injured in Somalia.
South Sudan reported 1,527 civilian deaths and 597 kidnappings, while Syria reported 556 civilian deaths.
