NEW YORK, Mar 1 – UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to launch the flash appeal for Ukraine, in New York and online today.
“In the past week, a country has been thrown into chaos, a region has been upended and the reverberations are being felt around the world. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured in Ukraine. Innocent people are once again paying the highest price of war. More than half a million people have fled across borders. Hundreds of thousands of women, children and men are spending days and nights underground, in basements, car parks and subway stations,” said Guterres.
“ Today, we are launching two plans to help people across Ukraine and beyond. Within Ukraine, the plan requires $1.1 billion to meet the escalating humanitarian needs of more than 6 million people affected and displaced by military operations over the next three months. Outside the country, we are requesting $551 million to help Ukrainians who have fled across borders, principally to Poland, Hungary, Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
Both plans include funds to boost critical medicine and health supplies, safe drinking water, shelter and protection. They are coordinated, complementary and designed for immediate implementation. I urge you to respond to these life-saving appeals. United Nations agencies and our partners are now working 24/7 to assess humanitarian needs and scale up aid, particularly to women, children, older people and those with disabilities.
On Sunday, UNHCR [Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] delivered its first truckload of household materials to central Ukraine, for families in evacuation shelters and others in need. UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] partners are mobilizing to treat the mental and emotional damage caused by this conflict. Children may suffer life‑long trauma after witnessing war.”
“The most effective humanitarian relief is to silence the guns. Now, more than ever, we must intensify our efforts for peace, everywhere. I thank all countries that have taken initiatives to facilitate negotiations on Ukraine. The United Nations stands ready to support. Soldiers must return to their barracks. Leaders must turn to diplomacy. I urge all those with influence to use it to end this senseless conflict,” Secretary-General Guterres said.