Category: Europe

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Mr. Guterres has asked President Vladimir Putin to receive him in Moscow and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to receive him in Kyiv.  The letters were handed over to the countries’ UN Missions in New York on Tuesday.  Urgent steps towards peace  “The Secretary-General said, at this time of great peril and consequence, he would like to… Read More

“While this process has led to meaningful results on various practical matters, a comprehensive normalization of relations between the two sides so far continues to be elusive,” said Caroline Ziadeh in her first biannual address as the UN Special Representative. “Reconciliation and addressing grievances of the past should reinforce the pursuit of important strategic objectives,” she added. Resilience crucial Acknowledging… Read More

Seven weeks since the Russian invasion, an estimated six million people need food and cash assistance, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which has provided relief to previously inaccessible areas such as Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel and Borodianka.  The development follows a renewed ceasefire call from Secretary-General António Guterres, whose spokesperson said on Monday that he was “deeply concerned… Read More

Speaking from Hungary, where almost half a million Ukrainians have sought safety, she updated that neighbouring countries are including refugees in national education, health and social programmes. “While the sheer scale and speed of displacement is immense, we must not lose sight of what these figures mean.” Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees @KellyTClements briefing the UN Security Council on Ukraine… Read More

In five days, Ukrainians and Russians will mark Easter, a holiday that joins in celebration the Orthodox Christians in both Russia and Ukraine, as well as Catholic Ukrainians. “Easter is a season for renewal, resurrection and hope. It is a time for reflection on the meaning of suffering, sacrifice, death – and rebirth. It is meant to be a moment… Read More

By the end of the second week, we heard continuous shelling approaching from the northern part of the city, targeting residential districts near us. Two missiles hit a nine-storey building on the other side of the road, right across from our basement. We saw the fourth floor engulfed in flames and people jumping to their deaths.  Whenever a missile landed… Read More

The appeal followed attacks on cities across the country– most recently Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv – which resulted in numerous civilian casualties and destruction. Mr. Guterres was also greatly concerned about the continuing appalling humanitarian situation in the besieged port city of Mariupol, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in New York. Give negotiations a chance “The Secretary-General strongly urges… Read More

Six weeks ago, life was easy for Yuliia, her husband Valerii, and their small son Artemko. They had just moved into a new apartment in a quiet, green part of Bucha. She had a job as a hairdresser and loved nothing more than when a client left her salon looking beautiful and confident. Everything changed one awful morning at the… Read More

Citing the State Border Guard Service, UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said that 30,000 people are crossing back into Ukraine every day. “The situation for people living with #HIV in Ukraine is desperate. We’re trying to deliver medicines, food & other assistance to people in need but the work is dangerous & volunteer drivers are putting their lives at risk”… Read More

Speaking from Kabul, at the end of a four-day visit to Afghanistan, Mr. Grandi said that he had met families “who do not know what they will eat for their next meal”. Acknowledging that the world is “rightfully preoccupied with the war in Ukraine,” he pleaded for help with another humanitarian crisis. Today, in Kandahar and Jalalabad, I visited projects… Read More