Addressing the Council, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, stressed that despite developments in Ukraine, United Nations humanitarian organizations and NGO partners remained in the country and “now caught up in this murderous conflict”.

“They always strive to provide aid to those in need whenever a small window of relative safety allows humanitarian aid to be distributed…often in extremely dangerous circumstances,” a- he declared.

“Your responsibility to ensure that peace and security prevail over power struggles and narrow national interests has never been such an urgent and indispensable task as it is tonight. If you fail – if we fail – it may be too late for all of us. https://t.co/tIlIG6VSUa

—Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) February 28, 2022

“Don’t even scratch the surface”

However, he lamented, “we don’t even scratch the surface to meet the needs of Ukrainians.”

“The situation is changing so rapidly and the levels of risk are now so high that it is impossible for humanitarians to systematically deliver the aid that Ukrainians desperately need.”

Mr. Grandi echoed the urgent call of the UN Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to grant humanitarian access to war-affected people.

“Failure to do so will aggravate already extraordinary levels of human suffering,” the High Commissioner stressed.

Hundreds of thousands flee

In addition to the serious situation inside Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of people are seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

“They need safety and protection, above all, but also shelter, food, hygiene and other forms of support; and they urgently need it,” Mr. Grandi said.

While some 520,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighboring countries, he pointed out that this figure “has been increasing exponentially, hour after hour, literally, since Thursday”.

“I have worked in refugee crises for almost 40 years and have rarely seen such an incredibly rapid exodus of people. – the biggest, surely, in Europe, since the Balkan wars”, attested the head of UN refugees.

He said more than 280,000 had fled to Poland; 94,000 in Hungary; nearly 40,000 in Moldova; 34,000 in Romania; 30,000 in Slovakia; tens of thousands to other European countries; and “a significant number” to Russia.

sincere appreciation

Congratulating host governments, Mr. Grandi acknowledged the daunting challenges of admitting, registering and meeting the needs of those on the run, and expressed deep concern that a new escalation would further increase the number of arrivals.

“We may have just seen the beginning”.

Expressing his gratitude to the governments of Ukraine’s neighbors as well as “ordinary Poles, Hungarians, Moldovans, Romanians, Slovaks and citizens of other European countries”, he hailed their “extraordinary acts of humanity and kindness. . if necessary in times of crisis”. .

The senior UN official urged European Union (EU) countries and other governments to continue to provide bilateral support to Ukrainian countries hosting refugees as UNHCR, its UN partners and NGOs national and international are stepping up their efforts.

“We encourage host countries to take advantage of our support and expert advice to address the situation and meet their international obligations.,” he said.

Potentially millions of people will flee

“Unless there is an immediate end to the conflict, Ukrainians will simply continue to flee,” Grandi said. “We are currently planning…to welcome up to four million refugees in the coming days and weeks.”

A rapid increase would place a huge burden on receiving States, which cannot be left alone to bear the responsibility.

“I therefore welcome the support expressed by many European states during yesterday’s European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council, to activate the directive on the temporary protection of people fleeing Ukraine,” he said. .

If activated, it would provide immediate and temporary refuge in the EU and facilitate responsibility sharing for people fleeing Ukraine between EU member states.

We must not fail

Tomorrow, the UN will launch a humanitarian appeal for Ukraine – for activities inside and outside the country.

“Ukrainians – and countries hosting refugees – cannot wait,” said the High Commissioner.

He reiterated that while humanitarian workers are brave, resourceful and experienced, “they cannot keep pace with the growing number and severity of conflicts around the world.”

The Council’s responsibility to ensure that peace and security prevail over power struggles and national interests “has never been such an urgent and indispensable task as this eveningsaid Mr. Grandi.

“If you fail – if we fail – it may be too late for all of us.”

Finish the basics of everyday life

As the world watches the military offensive in Ukraine “with a sense of disbelief and horror”, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that “civilians in are already paying the price.

It painted a grim picture of alarming scale of civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, cutting off access to essential supplies and services amid “skyrocketing” humanitarian needs in the hardest hit areas.

The picture is grim – and could get even worse. Children will miss school and be at greater risk of physical injury, displacement and emotional distress of unimaginable severity. 3/4

— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) February 28, 2022

Families are separated, the elderly and people with disabilities trapped as airstrikes and fighting in urban areas disrupt essential services, such as health, electricity, water and sanitation.

“This effectively leaves civilians without the basics of daily life,” the humanitarian chief said, urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law, spare civilians and avoid using explosive weapons in areas. populated.

“The longer this offensive lasts, the higher the human cost for civilians”.

Multiplication of repercussions

Children will miss school and be at greater risk of physical injury, displacement and severe emotional distress; and women, so often disproportionately affected by conflict, will be even more vulnerable to gender-based violence, according to the Emergency Relief Coordinator.

And if the economy implodes, humanitarian needs will worsen further, creating a ripple effect far beyond Ukraine’s borders.

“Already the upheavals of the past few days are aggravating a pre-existing humanitarian crisis, said Mr Griffiths, noting that eight “gruntling years of conflict” in eastern Ukraine had already left three million people in need of assistance. humanitarian aid on both sides of the contact line in the Donbass region.

Do his best

The Relief Coordinator noted that despite an increased UN humanitarian presence working around the clock in Ukraine, over the past three days, the ongoing fighting and the lack of assurance from parties to the conflict that humanitarian movements would be protected have “seriously limited” operations.

“Today, our most urgent humanitarian needs are for emergency medical services, including sexual and reproductive health services, essential medicines, health supplies and equipment, clean water for drinking and hygiene , as well as shelter and protection for displaced persons.said Mr. Griffiths.

“Right now, we urgently need progress on two fronts if we are to reach more people with aid,” he continued, pointing to protection assurances for aid workers and additional resources.

Humanitarian appeal

Senior UN official told ambassadors that the Secretary-General will launch a humanitarian appeal tomorrow with the two components of a three-month flash appeal for the interior of Ukraine and a regional refugee response plan for the situation outside.

He joined UN chief Grandi and others in calling on member states to show their support with “fast, generous and flexible funding”.

“But it’s not enough. The lives of millions of civilians are at stakesaid Mr. Grandi.

Recalling how “brutal, deadly and protracted urban warfare can be”, he stressed that every effort should be made to de-escalate the conflict, calling for “an immediate cessation of hostilities”.

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