Top UN officials are urging all warring parties to allow safe, swift, and unfettered humanitarian access to protect civilian infrastructure. In a grim assessment of the world’s war zones, Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, highlighted the urgent need for aid in places like Gaza and Haiti, where violence and displacement are rampant.
Gamba emphasized the importance of upholding international law, stating that denying humanitarian access to children and attacking aid workers assisting them are clear violations. She warned that incidents of denial of humanitarian access are on the rise globally, putting children’s survival and development at risk.
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban echoed these concerns, citing grave violations against children in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar. He described the devastating consequences of denying humanitarian access, including malnutrition and lack of medical services for children.
Chaiban also highlighted the dangers faced by humanitarian workers, with attacks on aid workers hindering the delivery of essential services to those in need. He called on the Security Council to intervene and ensure that aid agencies can reach vulnerable children across frontlines and borders.
The situation in Sudan was particularly dire, with record levels of severe acute malnutrition among children due to violence and insecurity. Chaiban stressed the urgent need for the international community to step in and prevent further denial of humanitarian access to children.
In conclusion, the UN officials urged the Security Council to take action to protect children in conflict zones, ensure the safety of aid workers, and facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance to those in need. The call for safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid is crucial to saving lives and preventing further suffering in war-torn regions.
