Ukraine, Moldova, CARICOM-SICA Summit & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (3 March 2022)

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "Ukraine, Moldova, CARICOM-SICA Summit & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (3 March 2022)"
The topics: Noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights - Ukraine/Humanitarian - Ukraine/ Human Rights - Ukraine/Secretary-General - Ukraine/Refugees - Ukraine/Human Rights - Moldova - CARICOM-SICA Summit - Rwanda - Ethiopia - Somalia - Libya - Myanmar - Papua New Guinea -World Wildlife Day - The Weeknd - UNEP@50 UKRAINE/HUMANITARIAN Our colleagues on the ground in Ukraine tell us that the needs in Ukraine are growing and spreading by the hour. They warn that while the scale and scope of displacement is not yet clear, we do expect that more than 10 million people may flee their homes if violence continues, including 4 million people who may cross borders to neighbouring countries. In a statement, the Humanitarian Coordinator, Osnat Lubrani, reiterated the message that we are committed to scaling up our support for people across Ukraine, particularly women, children, elderly and those with disabilities, who desperately need relief and protection as well as shelter. While we have relocated some of our essential staff outside Kyiv so that we can keep delivering assistance with the minimum of disruption, and, at the same time some staff, some of our humanitarian staff are remaining in the capital of Ukraine. Our colleagues in Ukraine have mobilized staff and supplies both to help people fleeing cross borders to safety and to support others inside the country. And I also want to add that we do have staff as well in the eastern part of the Ukraine along the line of contact. And our humanitarian colleagues are of course stressing that to scale up our operations, we need safe, unimpeded access to all conflict areas. And of course you will have seen the appeal by Dr. Tedros, the head of the World Health Organization for humanitarian corridors. UKRAINE/HUMAN RIGHTS According to the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, between 4 a.m. on 24 February, when the Russian Federation’s military action against Ukraine started, and midnight on 2 March, local time, our Ukraine Human Rights Office recorded 802 civilian casualties in Ukraine and that’s 249 killed and 553 injured. And the UN Human Right monitors are continuing to operate will continue to operate across the country to the full extent of their capacity. UKRAINE/SECRETARY-GENERAL And I just want to mention something because we have seen some reports of basically outright racism in this context and I want to say that the Secretary-General is shocked by the numerous reports of racism, harassment and discrimination that people of different races have been subjected to as they tried to leave Ukraine, as well as in neighbouring countries, as they seek refuge from the conflict. The Secretary-General very much appreciates the generosity of those governments bordering Ukraine. He calls on all governments in the region to crack down on any manifestation of racism and xenophobia. It is vital that they ensure that all people, regardless of ethnicity, religion or culture, are afforded the same treatment and protection. UKRAINE/REFUGEES The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, who is currently in the region, said that in just seven days, one million people have now fled Ukraine, uprooted by what he calls a senseless war. And that is about over a little of 2 per cent of the population of the country. He noted that hour by hour, minute by minute, more people are fleeing the terrifying reality of violence, and that countless people have been displaced inside Ukraine as well. Also in a statement, the International Organization for Migration Director General, António Vitorino, said that he is alarmed by verified credible reports of discrimination, violence and xenophobia against third country nationals attempting to flee the country. He stressed that neighbouring States need to ensure that all those fleeing Ukraine are granted unhindered access to territory, regardless of status and in accordance with International Law. UKRAINE/HUMAN RIGHTS Also speaking on Ukraine today was the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and she spoke in Geneva during the urgent debate organized in the Human Rights Council on Ukraine. She said that the Russian Federation’s military attack on Ukraine opened a new and dangerous chapter in world history, noting that the attack is generating massive impact on the human rights of millions of people across Ukraine and that elevated threat levels of nuclear weapons underline the gravity of risks to all of humanity. MOLDOVA The UN Refugee Agency in Moldova received its first humanitarian airlift for refugees fleeing Ukraine. About a quarter of the 8,000 thermal blankets received went to the border crossing point in southern Moldova, where ... Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=03%20March%202022


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