United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced that about 15 million Ukrainians need urgent humanitarian aid. According to him, most of them are women and children who suffer from the consequences of the long war and economic instability.
Guterres condemned all attacks on civilians and civilian objects "wherever they occur and whoever is responsible." He indicated that they should all stop immediately.
The UN Secretary General also emphasized that the United Nations continues to participate in the work of the largest international representative office in Ukraine.
This year alone, together with our partners, we have provided life-saving assistance to more than 6.2 million people. But we need the support of the international community. In Ukraine, 15 million people need humanitarian assistance - more than half of them are women and children
However, according to him, less than half of the UN humanitarian response plan for 2024 has been financed. Therefore, the UN Secretary General called on donors to help the Organization continue its work on the ground.
In recent weeks, we have seen a resurgence of inflammatory rhetoric and incidents surrounding nuclear facilities, including the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant and, alarmingly, the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Russian Federation. I highly appreciate the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, particularly its critical presence at Ukraine's nuclear facilities to help ensure nuclear safety and security. I strongly urge all parties to act responsibly and avoid any statements or actions that could further destabilize the already tense situation
According to the UN, more than 11,000 civilians died as a result of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine. "The longer this tragic war continues, the higher the risk of escalation and spread of the conflict. This will not only affect the region, but will increase global tensions and divisions – at a time when our world is in desperate need of closer cooperation and collective action. We must put an end to suffering and break the vicious cycle of violence for the sake of the Ukrainian people, the Russian people and the whole world," Guterres summed up.
