STATEMENT by the Delegation of Ukraine at the 75 UN GA session under a.i. 75 (a) – Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the UN"

STATEMENT by the Delegation of Ukraine at the 75 UN GA session under a.i. 75 (a) – Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the UN"

STATEMENT by the Delegation of Ukraine at the 75nd General Assembly session under a.i. 75 (a) – Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance

New York, 11 December 2020

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine aligns itself with the statement by the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity.

In recent years, we have witnessed a rapid increase in humanitarian needs in the world, which was mainly caused by armed conflicts and climate changes.

But now, we are faced with an unprecedented challenge for the global humanitarian situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is also significantly worsened by the economic crisis, reduced social protection, food security challenges and other factors.

In this challenging time, the UN’s timely and comprehensive response to global humanitarian needs has become more needed than ever.

In this light, we fully support prioritization of UN agencies’ current programming, focusing on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including medical supplies procurements, infection prevention, control and hygiene promotion campaigns.

Ukraine welcomes the UN Secretary General’s leadership in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that coordinating all UN agencies in countering this pandemic must continue to be one of the most critical and core priorities of the United Nations.

We commend the comprehensive and integrated approach by the UN agencies to provide assistance to countries to contend with the pandemic, including the rapid pandemic response.

Mr. Chair,

Ukraine places humanitarian issues high on its agenda. More than six years of armed conflict caused by the ongoing Russian aggression have resulted in a protracted and complex humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine. The United Nations is well aware of deteriorating humanitarian situation in this conflict zone. Civilians continue to face serious risks to their safety, wellbeing, and fundamental rights due to the active and ongoing hostilities, as well as the saturation of landmines and other explosive ordinances.

The Government of Ukraine remains persistent in its efforts to alleviate the suffering of Ukrainian citizens affected by the Russian aggression, particularly of the internally displaced persons. Currently, it focuses on improving their social integration and adaptation, as well as explores the best practices of integrating IDPs into the host communities.

Ukraine is interested in continuing UN involvement in overcoming the challenges related to the situation in the occupied territories. In October this year, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on the UN to jointly develop a plan of action to restore Donbas after the liberation of uncontrolled territories for promoting their social and economic development.

Together with humanitarian partners, Ukraine continuesto implement humanitarian action, including the Humanitarian Response Plans prepared by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In order to overcome the consequences of the Russian military aggression, over the last six years, UN agencies have mobilized more than US$0.5 billion for humanitarian response across different sectors such as food, shelter and household items, winterization support, access to clean water, education and adequate healthcare.

The Humanitarian Response plan for 2021 aims to provide critical humanitarian assistance and protection to 1.9 million people in need in eastern Ukraine.

Mr. Chair,

Existing global humanitarian emergencies provoked by armed conflict, natural disasters, and other causes should remain on focus of the attention of humanitarian organizations. It is essential that the UN continues the life-saving work in the relevant countries and sustains the humanitarian response across the world.

In conclusion, we would like to underscore that only a united global response to a significant deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the world will allow us to overcome the consequences of the current crisis in the health, economic and social spheres. This will demonstrate unity and solidarity of the international community as well as will become the best testimony of the effectiveness of the United Nations, at its seventy-fifth year.

Thank you.