UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Urged the Security Council to Stop the War in Ukraine
The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements called on the United Nations Security Council to put aside its differences and find a solution to end the war in Ukraine. There have already been 5 million people who have fled Ukraine, and there are another 7 million internally displaced.
Austria also intensified its efforts to help Ukrainian refugees. / Picture: © BMI Bundesministerium für Inneres / Gerd Pachauer
The war in Ukraine has now entered its 8th week. Many people had to leave Ukraine because of the Russian aggression and fled to neighboring countries.
According to the UN, in Hungary, there are almost half a million Ukrainians taking refuge. There have already been 5 million people who have fled Ukraine worldwide, and there are another 7 million internally displaced. According to the UN, another 13 million are believed to be in the hardest-hit areas, where many are unable to move and it is difficult for them to reach safe areas.
Kelly T. Clements, U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, described the compassion and solidarity for Ukrainian refugees she encountered in the Czech Republic and Austria as unprecedented.
Many countries in Europe, indirect and immediate neighbors of Ukraine are helping the refugees in quite a few efforts. As reported by Vindobona.org, Social City Councillor of Vienna, Peter Hacker draws an interim balance of the housing agency Diakonie for displaced persons from Ukraine by stating: "1,350 Ukrainian displaced persons have already found a new home thanks to housing donations."
Such efforts in neigbouring countries of Ukraine were also emphasized by the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. Ms. Clements lauded "that neighbouring countries are including refugees in national education, health and social programmes."
During her visit to Slovakia, Ms. Clements said, it will complement those of High Commissioner Filippo Grandi, who is currently visiting Ukraine, and Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Raouf Mazou, who is visiting Moldova and Romania.
Despite the magnitude and speed of displacement, the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements urged the UN Security Council not to lose sight of what this means.
We will continue to do our job to deliver aid.
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) April 20, 2022
We need this Council to do its job too.
Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees @KellyTClements calls on @UN Security Council to put aside differences and find a way to end the war in Ukraine.
Full statement: https://t.co/ZUBGffsdDe pic.twitter.com/1gmn119GHI
According to Ms. Clements, with the attacks on cities and many other communities in Ukraine, the situation is getting worse for people inside Ukraine. The threat of a humanitarian catastrophe and exploitation by human traffickers is only intensified by Russian aggression and attacks.
The U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, Ms. Clements explained that the UN will and must do everything to help the people in need. She further urged that the UN Security Council must finally put aside its differences and act to prevent unnecessary human suffering.