More than two years after it escalated, the war in Ukraine continues to destroy the lives, homes and futures of civilians, millions of whom depend on humanitarian aid, the UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator said on Friday. to the Security Council.
In a session dedicated to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, Joyce Msuya stated that the magnitude of the humanitarian needs in that country remains enormous and specified that More than 14.6 million people, nearly 40% of the population, require some form of assistance to survive.
“Millions of people face another year, and potentially another winter, of suffering and deprivation. Many, particularly those from frontline communities, remain depending on humanitarian aid to meet their most basic needs”, he insisted.
Msuya noted that UN agencies and partners continue to provide support to people affected by war, but stressed that the longer the violence and destruction continues, the greater the task of rebuilding devastated lives and communities, and the greater the burden. people’s suffering.
He stated that the long-term impact of the conflagration will last many generations and reiterated the call to the members of the Security Council and the international community as a whole to work to put an end to it.
“We continue to urge the Security Council and all Member States to do everything in their power to guarantee respect for the rules of war, seek peace and put an end to the suffering of the Ukrainian people,” he said.
Civilian casualties increase
Msuya reported that civilian casualties are increasing, with some 174 people killed and 690 injured in Maymore than half of them in Kharkov, where there are also more than 18,000 displaced people, according to figures from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
He added that more than 12,000 people are receiving assistance at the Kharkov transit center, including food, water, clothing, household items, cash and psychosocial support.
However, he continued, civilians remaining in the border and frontline areas of the same region find themselves in difficult conditions. “Many of them They do not have access to food, medical care, electricity or gas”, he indicated.
The deputy head of the Office of Humanitarian Affairs highlighted that the UN has confirmed that since February 24, 2022, when the Russian incursion began, at least 11,000 civilians have been killed and 21,000 civilians have been injured in Ukraine, although actual losses are likely to be much higher.
UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya speaks at the Security Council.
Infrastructure attacks
On the other hand, he expressed concern about the systematic attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, he noted, specifying that since the beginning of the war there have been six waves of attacks of this type in 15 regions.
These attacks have hit the health, social, payment and transportation systemsas well as the supply of electricity, gas and water, affecting millions of families.
Msuya said that the generation capacity of Ukraine’s energy system has fallen more than 60% from February 2022.
Likewise, he denounced the impact of the attacks on Ukraine’s port and transportation infrastructure on global food security, which have been reflected in high grain prices.
He expressed the need to ensure safe navigation along the Black Sea and protecting ports and associated civil infrastructure so that food exports can flow predictably and efficiently to global markets.
Attacks on Russian territory
Msuya also attested to the attacks in Russia in recent monthsincluding the Belgorod region, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure.
“I am forced, once again, to remember that all parties must respect the rules of international humanitarian lawincluding facilitating humanitarian aid to civilians in need and constantly ensuring the protection of all civilians and civilian assets such as homes, schools, hospitals and other essential infrastructure,” he stressed.
The senior official stressed that These laws bind all parties equally, without depending on reciprocity and wherever military operations are carried out, whether in Ukraine or the Russian Federation.
“I urge all States to exercise their influence to ensure that the parties respect international humanitarian law,” Msuya said.
UNESCO and 28 countries will support the cultural sector in Ukraine
Representatives from 28 countries announced today who will increase their support for the recovery of the Ukrainian cultural sector under the coordination of the United Nations Organization to Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
The deputy general director of that organization, Ernesto Ottone, maintained that You cannot heal the wounds of war without culture.
“There can be no sustainable growth or prosperity without culture. This is the meaning of the action carried out by UNESCO in Ukraine since February 2022. And that is why the commitment assumed today by thirty of our Member States will be a milestone,” Ottone said.
A new action plan will support artists and cultural professionals in Ukraine, as well as the protection and restoration of sites, and the revival of cultural life.
UNESCO has verified damage to 400 sites, including 191 historical and artistic buildings, 137 religious buildings, 31 museums, 25 monuments, 15 libraries and an archive. Its rehabilitation would require around 680 million dollars annually until 2033.
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