Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, at the UNSC meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine - April 19th, 2022

I would like to thank the briefers for their important contributions. Let me also take this opportunity to reiterate our solidarity to all victims of this war, including those that lost their home and are now fleeing in fear.

Europe is facing its fastest-growing refugee crisis since the Second World War. The UNHCR and IOM, which were created precisely in the aftermath of that war, are now playing a crucial role in offering protection and relief to millions of refugees and internally displaced persons in Ukraine and other parts of the world.

We are deeply concerned with the fact that nearly one fourth of Ukraine`s population have been forcibly displaced in the past weeks, a figure that is a testimony to the intensity of the conflict and the degree of disruption of normal life it is inflicting upon Ukrainians. Many more may follow if hostilities continue to increase in Eastern and Southern Ukraine and in densely populated areas.

The high-proportion of women and children fleeing Ukraine is also concerning, as they are more vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation and human trafficking, not to mention the psychological impacts of the conflict on children and on the prospects of their future development.

All parties have an obligation to protect civilians and critical civilian infrastructure and to ensure the safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access, especially in Eastern Ukraine. Furthermore, the opening of humanitarian corridors and the establishment of local humanitarian pauses are positive steps, but only a nationwide cease-fire will allow for an effective protection of the civilian population.

The conflict is now creating a looming food crisis, with devastating impacts on the most vulnerable across the world. The destruction of Ukraine`s productive capacities, on one side; and the unilateral economic sanctions, on the other, both carry concrete weight on the surge of global food insecurity. All this comes at a time when developing countries are still struggling with the socioeconomic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fact that the World Food Programme recently announced a reduction in its assistance for refugees and other vulnerable populations across East Africa and the Middle East illustrates this problem. As David Beasley recently reminded us in a different context, we should not be forced to take from the hungry to feed the starving. Let us not forget that developing countries host approximately 85% of the world`s refugees.

Prices of food, energy, and fertilizers have been increasing very steeply worldwide. The FAO has published data according to which food prices are now more than 30% higher than this time last year. Since fertilizer prices have doubled, the medium- and      long-term effects on agriculture are also concerning. In fact, the Secretary-General made reference on April 13 to this dangerous three-dimensional crisis and the UN Global Crisis Response Group came up with its first report on the same day.

Madam President,

In line with our tradition of solidarity, since March 3rd Brazilian embassies in Bratislava, Bucarest, Budapest, Prague and Warsaw have been granting special visas for displaced Ukranians and stateless persons affected or displaced by the armed conflict in Ukraine. Once in Brazilian territory they have full access to all public services and social benefits on an equal footing with Brazilian nationals. Brazilian civil society has been forthcoming and is mobilizing to provide further specialized assistance to help local integration.

Such measure is part of a longstanding Brazilian humanitarian visa policy that already benefitted persons affected by crises in Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, and Venezuela. In doing so, we attest that there should not be discrimination against any person or group currently fleeing armed conflicts. They all deserve support, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, migration, age, disability or other status.

We welcome the demonstrations of international solidarity with Ukrainian refugees and host countries. This is precisely the attitude we need to foster globally if we are to face the immensely complicated humanitarian landscape of our time, marked by a rapid multiplication of crises and situations of forced displacement in many regions of the world.

I thank you.