Three million Ukrainians have been and are in need – with future consequences ‘flushing out’ before our eyes – Global issues
Martin Griffiths, who is also in charge of humanitarian affairs, told journalists on Friday that the UN and its partners have been responding to that need for years.
“This year alone, coordinated UN humanitarian convoys have delivered more than 150 tonnes of assistance to the most vulnerable in Government-controlled areas of the Donbas,” he said. .
Ukraine under fire
Women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, people living near communication lines and people living in non-Government areas are currently in greatest need.
“They continue to demand food, shelter, health care, water, sanitation and protection,” the senior UN official said.
He painted a dire picture of shelling of urban centers across Ukraine and unconfirmed reports of human casualties and damage to residential infrastructure, expressing his dismay. extreme anxiety about the impact of the ongoing escalation.
“We are concerned about reports of population movement… fleeing for safety and protection“, Mr. Griffiths continued, saying that hundreds of thousands of people are “moving in and out of Ukraine, as we say. “
UN is still in Ukraine
The UN Emergency Coordinator reiterated the Secretary-General’s emphasis that UN humanitarians are committed to continuing and expanding its presence.
“We did not leave. We will not leave Ukraine“He spells.
When people there were “confused,” Mr Griffiths said that the United Nations was expanding its efforts to help meet the needs of those who did, “and we’ve been doing this for a number of weeks. ”
And at this alarming stage of escalation, he stressed that the safety and security of all UN staff and their dependents is a top priority.
“We are currently facilitating the temporary relocation of non-essential UN staff and eligible family members in Ukraine,” said the Emergency Coordinator. level said.
In the meantime, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OHCHA) has set up an interagency hub in Geneva and will launch a protest.
It will gather needs for the region outside Ukraine, under the leadership of High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, as well as for those within the country.
Allotment of 20 million dollars
Moving on to the announcement by the head of the United Nations on Thursday that $20 million will be released from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to increase immediate response, Griffiths attests that it is imperative to scale the demand in these “very, very unusual” circumstances.
“In the coming days, we will launch two coordinated urgent calls to respond to Ukraine’s escalating humanitarian needs – including increased internal displacement – and the needs of those affected by the crisis.” seek refuge in neighboring Ukraine.”
He explained that sponsors are needed to raise financial resources, which will be outlined in the next few days.
Humane safety first
The most important point, Mr. Griffiths continued, is the safety of UN humanitarian workers and humanitarian partners who have “safe, unhindered access to conflict-affected areas. sudden.”
“As always, our humanitarian response is guided by humanity, neutrality, operational independence and fairness.‘ he emphasized.
In conclusion, the senior United Nations official reminded that 50% of the wheat used by the World Food Program (WFP) from Ukraine.
