YouSaid · the spoken record

Mueller

lines on the record: 261
first: 2017-07-27
most recent: 2020-02-27
sittings or episodes: 20
sources: un-security-council

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“Since the pledging conference six months ago, nearly all donors have paid most or all of their 2019 pledges. Some have paid even more. But the largest donors, Yemen's neighbours in the coalition, have so far paid only a modest share of what they promised. Essential programmes are now closing down. The Council heard last month about the cancellation of vaccination campaigns, supplies for health facilities and cholera prevention programmes. The cuts are now much deeper. In the next few days, water and sanitation programmes will stop in four governorates, leaving 300,000 displaced people at extreme risk of cholera. By the end of September, such programmes for a further 1 million people will also stop. In September, we will be forced to shut down life-saving programmes for 2.5 million malnourished children.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“Yemen remains the world's largest humanitarian operation, with food, water, health care and other services being provided across the country. Humanitarian agencies working through the United Nations response plan are assisting an average of 12 million people every month. But much of this is about to stop. That brings me to my third point, namely, funding for the aid operation. Since last month's briefing (see S/PV.8578), there has been no major increase in funding for the 2019 response plan. Only 34 per cent of plan requirements have been met. At this time last year, the humanitarian response plan was 65 per cent funded, thanks to generous contributions from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as many other donors. That funding saved millions of lives.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“International humanitarian law requires all parties to take steps to facilitate humanitarian relief for civilians in need. Beyond bureaucratic impediments, agencies also continue to face movement restrictions, interference and harassment, as well as insecurity. However, despite these challenges, the United Nations and partners are staying and delivering. As tensions rose in Aden in early August, the World Health Organization and UNICEF, working with health authorities, vaccinated nearly 400,000 people against cholera. When clashes erupted the following week, more than 300 United Nations staff remained in Aden, and they will continue to do so. A regular United Nations flight arrived in Aden yesterday, bringing in additional humanitarian workers.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“Currently, more than 100 humanitarian projects are awaiting agreement by Ansar Allah-affiliated authorities in the north. In Government-controlled areas, official regulations are less heavy, but delays persist in getting humanitarian projects up and running. Allow me to cite a specific example. The multi-donor Yemen Humanitarian Fund currently has 39 projects awaiting clearance. Those projects are ready to assist 2.5 million people across the country through cholera programmes, emergency food, nutrition and protection services. Thirty-two of the 39 projects are stuck with Ansar Allah-affiliated authorities in the north, while the rest are awaiting approval by the Government of Yemen. On average, they have been stalled for more than 90 days. It is difficult to understand why such lengthy delays are necessary in a severe emergency.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“It is storing an estimated 1.1 million barrels of oil, and a spill would create a major environmental and humanitarian disaster. The United Nations assessment team arrived in Djibouti today and is scheduled to travel to the tanker next week. Cooperation and support from all stakeholders are key to this work. While we welcome these steps forward, we must also emphasize that many problems remain unresolved. Humanitarian agencies continue to face severe restrictions. In the north, Ansar Allah-affiliated authorities have imposed more than 50 formal directives and dozens of informal directives in recent months. These directives at times overlap or contradict each other. They are further complicated by a continuous stream of unofficial changes and new policies.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“The second point relates to humanitarian access. Let me begin with some good news. After months of discussion, the World Food Programme (WFP) and Ansar Allah-affiliated authorities have now signed an agreement that includes detailed technical procedures to protect food aid from being diverted. The agreement will also strengthen the methods used to identify the people who need food assistance. Delays in finalizing the agreement have meant that the WFP had to, as a last resort, suspend food assistance to 850,000 people in Sana'a city two months ago. Distributions are now restarting. As mentioned by the Special Envoy, Ansar Allah authorities have also approved plans for a United Nations assessment of the FSO SAFER oil tanker. After years without maintenance, the tanker is at risk of rupturing.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“Last week, strikes on a family home in Hajjah killed 12 civilians, including six children; another 16 were wounded. The week before that, an attack on a market in Sa'ada killed or injured 40 people as they shopped for food and other necessities. Eighteen children were among the Victims. The images from those and similar incidents are the stuff of nightmares. De-escalation across Yemen is urgently needed, ideally through a nationwide ceasefire that would end all violence. But ceasefire or not, all parties must uphold international humanitarian law. All feasible steps must be taken to avoid harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure. Such steps include verifying targets, taking precautions in the choice of weapons and cancelling an attack if it is expected to cause disproportionate civilian harm.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“First, with regard to respect for international humanitarian law, unfortunately, the conduct of hostilities in Yemen continues to have devastating consequences for civilians and civilian infrastructure. As we heard, fighting in Aden earlier this month between Government forces and forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council resulted in 300 killed or injured, civilians among them. For days, residents were trapped in their homes as clashes, including using heavy weapons, raged in densely populated neighbourhoods. Houses were damaged or destroyed, and the pipes of a major water system were damaged, temporarily restricting the water supply to 200,000 people. Violence has since subsided in Aden, although tensions remain, but fierce fighting continues elsewhere, including in Abyan last night.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“Ms. Mueller: Events in Yemen over the past several weeks have shown yet again just how volatile and devastating this war is. Its impact is seen most clearly in the suffering and injustice inflicted on millions of civilians. For months now we have advocated progress on five key priorities to reduce the suffering in Yemen. The Security Council endorsed those priorities in its resolution 2451 (2018). I would like to review where these five priorities stand today, specifically: first, respect for international humanitarian law; secondly, unhindered humanitarian access; thirdly, funding for the United Nations response plan; fourthly, the economy; and, fifthly, the urgent need for peace.”
2019-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8598 (2019) · source
“The most recent update is that the plan has been financed approximately 16 per cent, which is $544 million. I thank those Member States that have contributed to the plan. The plan itself is nearly finalized. A few details remain to be discussed and will be finalized and published soon. Overall, we believe that the plan is critical to our response. Support for it is necessary for the United Nations and its partners. The humanitarian community stands ready to respond based on the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence and on needs. The meeting rose at 12.25 pm.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“We will review the press article mentioned by the Permanent Representative and inform the Council whether or not such attacks have been confirmed by the United Nations. As the Permanent Representative reiterated, medical facilities enjoy special protection under international humanitarian law, whether or not they are located in deconflicted zones. I again call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, in particular medical facilities. Concerning the question posed by yourself, Mr. President, in your capacity as the Permanent Representative of Indonesia, with respect to the humanitarian response plan, the 2019 Humanitarian Needs Overview was published on 1 March. The 2019 humanitarian response plan asks for $3.3 billion to support 11.7 million people in need.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“Ms. Mueller: Let me first state the facts regarding the inter-agency convoys to Rukban. After the second convoy delivered assistance to the people in Rukban in February, we requested a third convoy because that assistance was supposed to last only 30 days. We requested a third convoy in March and again on 9 May. Those requests were not approved. Today, I have heard Council members calling for the approval of the request for a third convoy to Rukban to provide life-saving assistance to people while they are still there. With regard to the question posed by the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, attacks against medical care are verified by the World Health Organization by checking against multiple sources.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“Is there nothing to be said or done when barrel bombs are dropped indiscriminately in civilian areas, in clear breach of international humanitarian law and of resolution 2139 (2014)? Millions of battered and beleaguered children, women and men cannot wait for another Geneva round to succeed. They need protection and Council action now.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“The Council has been briefed in great detail -month after month - on the scale of the suffering of the Syrian people. Sixty-one reports have been submitted by the Secretary-General. Hundreds of Council meetings have taken place. There is no question today about whether the members of the Council are aware of the tragic humanitarian situation in Syria; they clearly are. The question today is what they will do to protect civilians in Idlib - the latest example of an entirely known, predictable and preventable humanitarian disaster unfolding before our eyes. Can the Council take no concrete action when attacks on schools and hospitals have become a war tactic that no longer sparks outrage?”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“The summer months and the risk of new arrivals might complicate the situation even further. Solutions for residents of the camp, including voluntary returns to their areas of origin or choice and/or repatriation, as relevant, must be found urgently. Our concerns extend to the situation in the south of the country, which has been under the control of the Government since the summer of 2018. As described by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, active hostilities have ceased yet the levels of violence continue to be unacceptably high. Moreover, OHCHR has received reports of at least 380 people having been arrested or detained in recent months, 230 of whom have been forcibly disappeared. At least two have died in detention Many families continue to have limited or no information about their missing or detained relatives.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“The focus must be on their prompt rehabilitation, reintegration and repatriation, where applicable, while remaining with their families, and, in the meantime, ensuring their access to specialised support, including protection services, translation where necessary, and mental health and education services. Solutions for foreign nationals need to be urgently found to avoid their protracted encampment. We call, yet again, on all Member States to take all the measures necessary to ensure that their nationals are repatriated for rehabilitation and reintegration, or prosecution, as appropriate, in line with international law and standards. We understand that more people may yet arrive to Al H01 in the coming period. Conditions are already difficult with the current population.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“They are now living in extremely difficult conditions, under which they face a range of protection challenges and an uncertain and disconcerting fate. Many of them are foreigners, and face the risk of being denied repatriation, rehabilitation, re-integration, a fair trial, or even of becoming stateless. They also face the risk of family separation and not knowing the whereabouts of family members, given the notable absence of adult males and adolescent boys over the age of 12 in the camp. All children, including those suspected of being associated with armed groups and/or designated terrorist organizations, are entitled to special care and protection under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Those children must be treated, first and foremost, as victims.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“The deployment of a third humanitarian convoy to Rukban therefore remains critical in order to avoid further suffering. We strongly urge the Syrian authorities to reverse their refusal and facilitate access for a third humanitarian convoy, as first requested in March, and again on 9 May. Access at all stages - in the camp, as they pass through the shelters and in their areas of origin * is important to provide support to this vulnerable population. We have frequently reported to the Council about the plight of some 74,000 civilians at the Al Hol camp - 92 per cent of whom are women and children. Most have been exposed to extreme violence and trauma under the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“Typically, those who leave Rukban spend around 24 hours at five shelters around Homs city, where children are vaccinated and families receive humanitarian and medical assistance, before most of them continue on to their areas of choice. The United Nations now has access to people who left Rukban, having visited the shelters on 22 April and 13 May, and humanitarian assistance is being provided to all of them. That is a welcome development. Sustained assistance for the 29,000 people who remain in Rukban, however, is just as necessary. They are perhaps the most vulnerable of all. The food, basic medicines and other life-saving supplies delivered in February have run out inside the camp. Fuel is scarce, and prices are skyrocketing. People are exhausted.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“In Syria, for example, the World Health Organization has confirmed 33 attacks on health care since the beginning of the year, and some health care facilities have been impacted repeatedly. As Member States, all Council members are aware that all parties to armed conflict are legally bound to comply with international humanitarian law. Sparing hospitals and schools is not optional; it is a fundamental legal obligation. While the fighting in Idlib is perhaps the most distressing front in the conflict at present, it is not the only place where humanitarian needs continue to increase. We remain gravely concerned, for example, about reports of deteriorating conditions inside Rukban. As members might know, over 13,100 people left Rukban during the past two months.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“As a result, in many areas of active hostilities, humanitarian operations have been suspended. That includes the suspension of health, nutrition and protection services previously supporting some 600,000 people, including 21 immunization centres that have ceased operations, and at least 49 health facilities that have partially or totally suspended activities, out of fear of being attacked. As all members know, this year marks the seventieth anniversary of the Geneva Conventions as well as the twentieth anniversary of the Security Council's adoption of the protection of civilians as an item on its agenda. And yet, as stated by the Secretary-General last week during the Council's open debate on the protection of civilians (see S/PV.8534), respect for international humanitarian law today is, at best, questionable.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“About 25 schools are reported to have also been impacted by the violence, as have markets and at least three sites for displaced people. The humanitarian community is responding in accordance with its contingency and readiness plans. For example, so far in May, more than 170,000 ready-to-eat meals have been handed out to those who fled the latest round of violence. Shelter support has been provided to 25,000 newly displaced people, while an additional 60,000 civilians are to be assisted in the coming days and weeks. That is in addition to the 1.2 million people whom we already reach on a monthly basis. However, despite our best efforts, the response is stretched. Further military operations will overwhelm all ability to respond. Many of our humanitarian partners are part of the affected population and have themselves been displaced.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“So far this month, heavy shelling and aerial bombardment have resulted in the confirmed deaths of more than 160 civilians and the displacement of approximately 270,000 people. As recently stated by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), "both pro-Government forces and non-State armed groups fighting in northern Syria appear to have failed to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law". Since 28 April, in the past four weeks, a total of 25 attacks on health care have been reported by the World Health Organization, including on 22 health facilities, with some having been hit more than once. All of those attacks occurred in north-western Syria.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“Ms. Mueller: All Security Council members know the statistics of this conflict. Members know that more than half of the Syrian population has either fled the country or faced repeated internal displacement. They know that hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been killed and millions injured. And members know that, currently, an estimated 3 million people in Idlib are caught up in the crossfire, with some living under trees or plastic sheeting on bare patches of land. There are no safe schools or clinics, no way to earn a living - eight years of air strikes and shelling, of deadly terrorist attacks and the constant fear of sending one's child to a school that may be bombed later that day. Fighting in Idlib has continued over recent days, despite the announcement of a temporary ceasefire on 17 May.”
2019-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8535 (2019) · source
“Ms. Mueller: I thank members of the Council for their interest in the humanitarian situation at this critical time. I also thank them for the support they indicated to fund the upscale humanitarian response to prevent the further deterioration of the drought situation.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“I encourage the Government of Somalia, with the support of international partners, to advance efforts that facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need, especially at this critical time. Responding to the worsening humanitarian situation with life-saving interventions and protection remains a priority, but I must stress that the chronic vulnerabilities that underpin the crisis in Somalia cannot be addressed by the delivery of humanitarian aid. Progress in State-building and security, as well as greater investments in development initiatives aimed at building resilience, are essential to ultimately lifting Somalis out of need.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“It is essential that the Government of Somalia develop sufficient capacity to address the protection of civilians, implement appropriate governance structures and mechanisms, and strengthen civil authorities to ensure the delivery of basic services to communities. Somalia continues to be a challenging operational environment for humanitarian organizations. Conflict, insecurity, bureaucratic constraints and limited logistic infrastructure hamper our ability to reach those in need. Targeted violence against entities with political, development and humanitarian mandates have to stop. So far this year, 18 Violent incidents have affected humanitarian organizations, resulting in three deaths, two injuries and seven abductions.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“For years, Somali civilians have borne the brunt of ongoing armed conflict and Violence that has continued to drive humanitarian needs and perpetuate internal displacement. Civilians are exposed to targeted assaults, assassinations and indiscriminate attacks. In grave violations, children continue to be killed and maimed. In 2018, Somalia recorded the highest rate of forced child recruitment globally. There are increased protection risks in connection with the ongoing security reforms and implementation of the transition plan, including risks resulting from changes to the strength and posture of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Although the aim ofthe transition plan is the transfer of security responsibilities from AMISOM. to Somali authorities, the success of the transition will depend on other important factors as well.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“Family separations make displaced women and girls especially vulnerable and exposed to sexual and gender-based Violence. Internally displaced persons are at increased risk of being evicted by force from settlement areas by landowners. In 2018, over 300,000 displaced people were forcibly evicted, which is a 36 per cent increase over the previous year. With the trends we have seen so far this year, we expect the evictions to continue. The forced evictions perpetuate cycles of displacement and consistently undermine efforts toward self-reliance and resilience. As to my third and final point, I would like to highlight the fact that the humanitarian situation in Somalia is a protection crisis.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“As the severity of humanitarian needs is projected to worsen over the coming months, there will be a higher risk of drought-induced displacement and worsening protection challenges, particularly among women and children, as people are forced to leave their homes in search of aid and livelihood opportunities. To minimize drought-related displacement, where possible, systems and structures are already in place to enable a rapid scale-up of response nearer to the hardest-hit regions. Conflict-induced displacement may also increase as a result of the drought because there is greater potential for communal and clan conflicts to arise over competition for scarce resources. Displaced communities are among the most vulnerable. They face multiple acute needs and are exposed to higher protection risks.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“We must focus our efforts on urgent life-saving responses, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that development efforts are critical to reaching the goal of ultimately bringing an end to the negative impact of these cycles. Internal displacement is the second area of concern that I would like to address. There are more than 2.6 million internally displaced persons in Somalia, which ranks fourth in internal displacement globally. Displacement continues to be driven by ongoing armed conflict, climate shocks and the search for livelihood opportunities.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“The immediate scaling up of the humanitarian response is essential to mitigating the impact of the drought and to preventing the further breaking up of communities that continue to be fragile from the drought in 2017. I encourage the international community to urgently increase support for life-saving drought-response efforts and to protect gains made in 2018. It is my hope that immediate resources will be received to help us prevent a dramatic crisis from escalating. The repetitive nature of climatic shocks is a stark reminder that Somalia is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. To address the drivers of crisis in Somalia, greater investment is needed to strengthen the nexus between humanitarian action and development programming.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“Donors have been contributing to the humanitarian response plan, which is today 20 per cent funded. I want to take this opportunity to thank donors for their continued support. In April, the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Somalia Humanitarian Fund allocated almost $46 million towards the delivery of aid and scaling up of activities in drought-impacted areas in northern Somalia and towards the provision of life-saving assistance and protection in the southern and central regions of the country. I believe I was invited to brief the Security Council today to draw attention to the elevated risk of a major humanitarian crisis unfolding on the horizon.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“But significant funding shortfalls are constraining response and leading to a reduction in assistance in critical areas, including health, nutrition, food security, water, sanitation and hygiene. More needs to be done. To address needs arising from the drought, a scale-up in key life-saving areas is needed. On 20 May, the humanitarian country team for Somalia launched the 2019 drought response plan, which seeks $710 million to respond to drought-induced needs between now and December. The majority of programming in the drought response plan is already included within the annual humanitarian response plan. The priorities of the humanitarian response plan are being reorganized and revised to account for the additional resources required to respond to the drought.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“By July, 5.4 million people - including 1 million children - will be unsure of where their next meal is coming from. This projection was made based on the forecast that Gu rains would rebound in May and June. But the rains did not rebound, and undoubtedly the number of people in need will continue to rise. Severe acute malnutrition rates among children are increasing rapidly, particularly among internally displaced persons. With limited access to clean water, there is a heightened risk of outbreaks of diseases. We must act now to avert a major humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian partners stand ready to deliver aid to those most in need and are capable of rapidly scaling up responses, as was proven during famine-prevention efforts in 2017.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“However, current humanitarian indicators across the country are showing deterioration. I would like to highlight three key areas of concern - first, the humanitarian impact of the ongoing drought; secondly, the situation of internally displaced persons; and, thirdly, protection. On my first point, the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating due to severe drought conditions that have spread from northern and central areas throughout the country. Two consecutive rainy seasons have failed, resulting in critical water shortages, widespread crop failure and diminished conditions for livestock. At this point in the season, any rainfall that is received will be too little and too late to reverse the impact of the drought. Since February, acute food insecurity has already increased by 10 per cent. The situation is expected to worsen.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“Ms. Mueller: I appreciate this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Somalia. The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains among the most protracted crises in the world. Ongoing armed conflict and violence, as well as recurrent climatic shocks, continue to drive humanitarian needs. Governance challenges and underdevelopment compound fragility and make it difficult for communities to develop robust coping mechanisms. The 2019 humanitarian response plan, launched in January, identified 4.2 million Somalis - one third of the population - as being in need of life-saving assistance and protection. That shows a decline in needs from 2017, when famine was averted, raising hope that resilience activities led by the Government and development partners could make further gains.”
2019-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8533 (2019) · source
“Very concretely, I urge that the pedestrian bridge at Stanytsia Luhanska be rebuilt and also that the conditions at the bridge be improved to enable speedy passage across it, in particular for the elderly, who desperately need access to their pensions and to health services. Finally, humanitarian assistance should not be politicized. Humanitarian assistance is provided based on the universally recognized principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“Ms. Mueller: I would like to respond to the question posed by the Ambassador of Ukraine, which was about how all the parties can contribute to alleviating human suffering. I first want to implore all the parties to immediately cease using landmines and work with Mine Action Service partners to provide awareness to civilians and plans for demining. Secondly, I would like to call on the parties to the conflict to take every possible precaution to prevent or at least minimize civilian harm. International law must be upheld by all the parties so as to protect civilians and their access to critical services at all times.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“Humanitarian organizations remain committed to providing relief to the people of Ukraine, but unfortunately, as of today, only 9 per cent of the funding they require has been received. Donors have been generous over the years and the recently established Ukraine Humanitarian Pooled Fund is receiving support from donors, but more is needed. I encourage increased engagement and support for humanitarian action in Ukraine. The people of Ukraine continue to suffer the effects ofthis conflict. We must redouble our efforts to provide them with all necessary assistance and protection. I also call on the parties to find solutions to this crisis in order to avoid further suffering. The people of Ukraine deserve nothing less.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“The United Nations and its partners provide assistance in accordance with the universally recognized principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. As they seek to reach the most vulnerable civilians, humanitarian organizations require unimpeded and sustained access. The third message is that every effort must be made to increase humanitarian funding. More resources are urgently required to meet people's needs. Through the 2019 humanitarian response plan, which aims to provide 2.3 million people with protection and assistance to restore their access to livelihoods, essential services and critical infrastructure, the United Nations and its partners require $162 million.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“I must again inform the Council, as I did in February, that there has been no progress on repairing the pedestrian bridge of Stanytsia Luhanska, which civilians - many disabled or elderly with limited mobility - must cross to reach essential services, including health care or access to their pensions, which for many is their only means of support. I regret that I have to encourage again the immediate rebuilding of the bridge and simultaneous improvement of the conditions at the bridge. Speedy passage, in particular for those who are suffering from health issues, must be ensured. The second message concerns support for humanitarian access in eastern Ukraine, which remains unpredictable, particularly in areas beyond Government control. Humanitarian assistance should not be politicized.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“I implore all parties to immediately cease using landmines and to work with mine-action partners to provide awareness to civilians and plan for demining. While overall the crossing conditions have improved since last year, essential services at checkpoints need to be further enhanced on both sides of the contact line and delays in crossing must be reduced. Since my most recent briefing to the Council on this subject, 12 civilian deaths were reported at the checkpoints in eastern Ukraine, mainly owing to health issues complicated by delays, bringing the total number to 22 civilian deaths since the beginning of 2019.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“In addition, I have previously commended the Government of Ukraine in the Council on the adoption of its national strategy on internally displaced persons (IDPs) - as 1.5 million people are registered as IDPs - and continue to encourage the Government to make sufficient funding available for the implementation of the strategy. The United Nations will continue to support those important efforts for the internally displaced. I have three messages for the Council's consideration today. The first is that the freedom of movement of people affected by the crisis must improve. Since April 2014, over 1,000 civilians have been killed or injured by mines and explosive remnants of war. Mine-related incidents were the leading cause of casualties among children last year. That is unacceptable.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“Since I last briefed the Council, civilian workers came under small-arms fire while conducting emergency repairs of impacted power lines in Marinka and water pipelines damaged in the area between Berehove and Olenivka. While no casualties were reported as a result of those incidents, the repair works were suspended and further delayed as the workers were forced to evacuate to safe areas. Parties to the conflict must take all precautions to avoid, and in any event minimize, civilian harm. International humanitarian law must be upheld by all parties to protect civilians and their access to critical services at all times.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“Many of these people live in settlements that have been isolated by the conflict, making it difficult to access markets, livelihoods, health care and schools. Shelling damages and disrupts critical civilian infrastructure, even though it serves both sides of the contact line. Since the beginning of 2019, 24 incidents have affected water and sanitation facilities and 12 incidents have affected schools. For instance, the first lift pumping station of the South Donbas waterway, which supplies water to more than 1.1 million people on both sides of the contact line, has already been affected by 16 separate incidents, including shelling, this year. It must be underscored that attacks against civilian infrastructure increase the risks communities face when their access to water, energy and education services is interrupted.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“Ms. Mueller: I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine. Since I briefed the Council two months ago (see S/PV.8461), the conflict in Ukraine has remained an active one. The daily impact on civilians on both sides of the contact line is increasing as coping mechanisms are being stretched to their limits. After five years of conflict, which have seen more than 3,300 civilians killed and up to 9,000 injured, 3.5 million people still need humanitarian assistance and protection. Half a million people, many of Whom are elderly, women and children, live Within only five kilometres of the contact line, where shelling, gunfire, landmines and unexploded ordnance put them in danger.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“First, we have called for access to Rukban to deploy the third aid convoy and we received information on Monday that it is not possible, as I mentioned, which makes that the first biggest challenge. Secondly, we need access to send staff to the north-east to support operations in the Al-Hol camp.”
2019-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8515 (2019) · source
“What is important now is to see the support of the donors to help us address those needs. While $7 billion were pledged at the Brussels Conference to support those in need in Syria and the region, this year's appeal is funded by only 8 per cent. We must therefore do more, and we can do more. Humanitarian agencies and the United Nations stand ready to continue providing humanitarian assistance and protection to the people in need in Syria. As for the question raised by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom on water access improvements and challenges, the Secretary-General's report (S/2019/321) addresses the expanded access that the United Nations has in areas under Government control. There were over 1,200 missions deployed throughout the country in February and March. We have two main challenges, which I would like to highlight.”
2019-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8515 (2019) · source
“Ms. Mueller: I would like to respond to the question raised by the representative of Poland on disaggregated data. To ensure disaggregated data, it is very critical to have effective humanitarian programming and to be aware of the specific and diverse needs of people with disabilities, because humanitarian assistance is effective only if it is inclusive. Humanitarian partners are now collecting disaggregated data. Sex, age and disabilities are aggregated into our planning estimates, and we continue to refine our data so as to allow us to target humanitarian programming for those most in need. We extended the period for assessing the needs in Syria for the 2019 humanitarian needs overview, as those present know. That was released in March for this year and provides a comprehensive overview of needs, including for persons with disabilities.”
2019-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8515 (2019) · source