During the Security Council briefing, Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, stated that 2023 has been just as catastrophic for the citizens of Ukraine as the previous year.

The OHCHR, a branch of the United Nations that monitors human rights, has confirmed that 10,065 civilians have been killed and 18,679 have been injured since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These numbers may not reflect the full extent of the casualties. More than 10 million people have been displaced from their homes, with 6.3 million seeking shelter outside of Ukraine.

Silence the guns

“The immediate cessation of all attacks directed towards civilians and civilian infrastructure is imperative. Such acts are in violation of international humanitarian law and are completely unacceptable,” emphasized Mr. Jenča.

The senior official in charge of political and peacebuilding affairs at the United Nations also cautioned that the long-term impact of the destructive war is immeasurable.

He stated that although we can try to tally the amount of people who have been killed, injured, and forced to leave their homes, the true and enduring impact of this destructive war on innocent civilians cannot be quantified.

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The immeasurable impact of this destructive war on innocent civilians is still ongoing.
– Miroslav Jenča

The war in Ukraine has not only resulted in loss of life, broken families, and severe physical injuries, but it will also have long-lasting effects on the mental well-being of millions of people for years to come.

Mr. Jenča also emphasized the effects on children, who are typically the most affected by any conflict, as well as on women and girls who are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual and gender-based violence.

Nuclear power plants in danger

According to Mr. Jenča, there is still a danger to Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, and they will remain at risk as long as the conflict persists.

Referring to reports of explosions near various nuclear facilities, such as the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the safe operation and protection of all nuclear sites to prevent potentially catastrophic outcomes.

The survival of plants and animals is threatened by the winter freeze.

Also briefing the 15-member Security Council, Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination, at the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA), said that millions of civilians in Ukraine, including women and children, are staring at the prospect of yet another winter of severe hardship.

According to him, a large number of individuals in the eastern and southern regions are currently lacking heat, electricity, and water.

“Amidst frigid temperatures, this harm poses a significant danger to the survival of the most susceptible individuals, including the elderly and those with disabilities,” he stated.

Humanitarian efforts

Mr. Rajasingham announced to the ambassadors about the humanitarian actions being taken to provide assistance throughout the country. He also mentioned that the 100th interagency convoy for 2023 successfully arrived in Chasiv Yar, located in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine, last week.

He stated that these convoys have given vital aid to nearly 400,000 individuals in heavily affected frontline areas across various oblasts such as Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kherson, and Sumy throughout the year.

Additionally, he acknowledges that the Ukraine Humanitarian Response Plan, totaling $3.9 billion, is lacking $1.6 billion in funding.

Find peace

In his final remarks, Mr. Rajasingham stated that despite ongoing attacks and conflict in Ukraine, the underlying issues that are causing destruction and their global impact will continue.

As we approach the conclusion of 2023 and begin 2024, we must intensify our efforts to prevent any further escalation in Ukraine,” he urged.

Unable to rephrase.