UN warns about rising civilian toll in Ukraine, urges immediate ceasefire

HAMILTON, Canada

The UN warned Tuesday about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and urged the international community to support peace efforts and prioritize a ceasefire as attacks on civilians and infrastructure intensify.

"There have been intensified efforts to bring the parties to negotiations in the past few weeks, offering a glimmer of hope for progress towards a ceasefire and an eventual peaceful settlement," UN Political Affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council. "At the same time, we continue to witness relentless attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.”

DiCarlo said attacks are killing and injuring civilians, and causing widespread destruction in residential areas and critical infrastructure.

Citing the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), DiCarlo reported that at least 151 civilians were killed and 697 injured in April. "With verification ongoing, this figure is expected to surpass the March figures, which were already 50% higher than in February," she said.

"The war in Ukraine is a war of choice," she said. "What is needed now is a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a critical first step towards ending the violence and creating the conditions for a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace."

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Joyce Msuya, also echoed concerns about the humanitarian toll.

"Since our last briefings in March and April, the humanitarian situation has worsened, despite ceasefire opportunities," said Msuya, adding that "waves of missile and drone strikes in densely populated areas continue to cause mass civilian casualties and damage or destroy apartment buildings, schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure."

Msuya highlighted the tragic effect on health care, and noted a 12% rise in birth complications due to blackouts and medicine shortages.

"Pregnant women are now giving birth amid blackouts, medicine shortages and under attack, with a 12% rise in birth complications reported by health workers. For many expectant mothers, basic, life-saving care is simply no longer available," she said.

Calling for urgent international support, Msuya said: "Nearly 13 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian aid, including women, children, older persons and people with disabilities."

She urged the Security Council to scale up financial support and ensure the protection of civilians.

"Every effort, whether aimed at a temporary pause or a lasting agreement, must prioritize the protection and needs of civilians," she added.