In a briefing to the members of the Security Council, Rosemary DiCarlo, the chief of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, stated that the war continues to be illegal and unjustified, with no progress towards its resolution.

She stated that as time goes by, the harm caused by the conflict in Ukraine becomes more evident, not only for the country but also for overall world peace, security, and adherence to international laws.

“A just and lasting peace can only be achieved by adhering to the UN Charter, international law, and UN General Assembly resolutions.”

Ms. DiCarlo emphasized the efforts of humanitarian workers, such as community-based and female-led projects, in providing assistance to those who require it.

She mentioned the $4.2 billion request for humanitarian aid initiated by the United Nations and its partners in order to assist impacted communities across Ukraine, including Ukrainian refugees and the communities hosting them.

Mounting death toll 

Following Russia’s complete invasion in February 2022, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) has reported 30,041 civilian casualties, with 10,382 fatalities and 19,659 injuries. However, it is possible that the actual number is greater.

According to a high-ranking UN representative, there was a notable rise in civilian casualties during December 2023 and January, in contrast to the declining trend seen in previous months.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed that in the month of January alone, 158 civilians were killed and 483 were injured.

Ms. DiCarlo reiterated the importance of adhering to international law and emphasized that any acts of violence against civilians or civilian structures are not permissible and should cease immediately.

The UN nuclear monitoring agency will be conducting an inspection at the Zaporizhzhya power plant.

At present, the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, is scheduled to travel to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is the largest one in Europe.

According to a press release from the agency, this will be his fourth time visiting the plant, where all six reactors have been shut down for around 18 months. Despite this, the plant still contains a significant amount of nuclear fuel that requires proper cooling.

The goal of the task is to evaluate the condition of the existing power and cooling systems that are crucial for the plant’s safety, as well as the number of qualified personnel present on site.

Based on the most recent report from IAEA regarding Ukraine, a recent statement from the occupied nuclear plant declared that workers employed by Ukraine’s national operator Energoatom will no longer be permitted to work at the facility.

According to Mr. Grossi, the future of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and the aftermath of any issues there go beyond just technical matters. They are matters of worldwide importance for maintaining peace and security.

He stated that, for him, it is crucial to not only focus on the technical elements but also engage in a discussion about the profound consequences of the current and future situation.

The source is the United Nations news organization.