Mr. Griffiths, along with Catherine Russell, head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the ambassadors briefed on how the UN and its partners are responding to the growing demand since the Russian offensive began 11 days ago.
“People are watching this needless conflict engulf cities and civilians. As with what is happening in Ukraine, they have an additional sense of dread about the impact this will have on the wider world. I put myself in this category,” he say.
Alleviate suffering
Mr. Griffiths, who is also the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, has outlined three immediate priorities “To alleviate the pain and suffering we’re all watching happening in real time.”
First, the parties must take constant care to ensure that military operations liberate civilians, homes, and other infrastructure. Furthermore, those wishing to leave areas of hostile activity must be allowed to do so safely and voluntarily.
Since civilians in places like Mariupol, Kharkiv and others are under attack, in dire need of aid, especially life-saving medical supplies, there is also a need for safe passage for humanitarian supplies.
His third point highlights the urgent need for a system of regular communication with the parties to assist in the delivery of aid. He explained that humanitarian notification systems have been deployed in other situations.
Talk to the parties
“I have communicated these three points to the authorities of Ukraine and the Russian Federation,” Griffiths, who is also the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, said.
A team from his office has been sent to Moscow to work on better humanitarian-civilian coordination, following a Friday phone call between the United Nations and the United Nations. Secretary General António Guterres and the country’s Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu.
A first technical meeting with representatives of the Ministry was also held.
“I welcome the cooperation of both sides and sincerely hope to see further progress in the coming hours.” Mr. Griffiths said.
Adapting to the ‘unthinkable’
The UN and its partners were in Ukraine before the escalation, assisting some 1.5 million people in the Donbas region affected by eight years of fighting between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.
In the weeks leading up to the Russian onslaught, they had begun to prepare for the worse. “The unthinkable has come true,” says Griffiths, which has launched a scalable and agile humanitarian operation that can adapt to the changing situation.
For the past 11 days, humanitarians have fed hundreds of civilians, with the World Food Program (WFP) set up supply chain operations to provide immediate food and cash assistance to five million people in Ukraine.
UN health agency WHO transported trauma care, emergency surgical equipment, and other supplies, among other things, on the road. The conflict has so far forced more than 1.7 million people to flee to neighboring countries, notably Poland, and the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCRare providing support to them.
Other UN initiatives include the appointment of a Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine and the launch last week of two “robust” humanitarian plans to assist people in the country and those who have crossed the border. .
Mr Griffiths told the Council it had continued to provide humanitarian assistance in areas where security allowed.
“Under the leadership of the Crisis Coordinator and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, of course, we now have new plans for how to deliver where the humanitarian need is most urgent,” he say.
“This includes cities that we have seen a lot in the last days such as Mariupol, Kharkiv and Kherson. Our response is being replicated from centers in Vinnutsya, Uzhorod and Lviv.”
‘Ethical Buddha’
Ms. Russell from UNICEF reports that the conflict of the past eight years has caused profound and lasting harm to 7.5 million children in Ukraine, and the threats have only increased as the crisis unfolds.
Since the fighting began, at least 27 boys and girls have been killed and 42 injured. UNICEF expects child casualties, as well as displacement, to increase. Half of the refugees are children.
Meanwhile, homes, schools, orphanages and hospitals were all hit, while water supply and sanitation works as well as other civilian infrastructure were affected, affecting thousands of people. million people.
“What is happening to children in Ukraine is a moral outrage” speak Ms. Russell, presented the Council’s first brief since her appointment in December.
“The image of a mother and her two children and a friend lying dead on the street – hit by a mortar shell as they tried to flee to safety – shocked the world’s conscience. We must act to protect children from this brutality.”
UN photo / Ekinder Debebe
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), summarizes the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.
‘Horrible’ challenge
Ms. Russell was recently at the Ukraine-Romania border, where she met children and mothers.
“The kids talked about the sudden expulsion, the loss of a beloved toy, and the terrifying sound of shelling and gunfire. So many children have been deeply traumatized,” she reported.
Currently, UNICEF has 135 staff in Ukraine, of which more are being deployed. Agency-supported groups are reaching children wherever they can, providing psychosocial care, mental health support and protection.
Other actions include setting up ‘Blue Dot’ centers at border crossings in countries receiving Ukrainian refugees. These centers are safe spaces for children and families, providing services such as psychosocial support, basic legal advice and entertainment venues.
The brutality must end
The agency and UNHCR have also called for greater protection for unaccompanied and separated children crossing the border, and about 100,000 children in Ukraine living in care facilities or boarding schools, a half of them are disabled.
While UNICEF “will continue to do everything” to support the children of Ukraine, “the brutality must stop”, Ms. Russell announced.
“Children in Ukraine need help and protection. They need other important supplies and support. They need access to basic social services such as health and education. They need hope for the future. But above all children in Ukraine need peace. It is the only sustainable solution,” she speaks.
