Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine - March 29th, 2022

I would like to thank the briefers for their presentations and, most of all, for the tireless efforts of both OCHA and the WFP in helping to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. As we enter into another week of hostilities, we continue to witness the intense human suffering it is causing. The briefings today highlight yet another grave dimension of the war, one that affects all countries, particularly developing states: food insecurity.

Brazil is concerned with the worsening of the global food crisis. The ongoing conflict is already causing a decline in food supplies and a surge in food prices. According to FAO, around 50 countries depend on imports of wheat from Russia and Ukraine, not to count other food products and services.

OCHA’s Global Humanitarian Overview for 2022 has already alerted that food insecurity is at unprecedented levels. I would like to recall one sentence from the Overview: “without sustained and immediate action, 2022 could be catastrophic”. This assessment came before the conflict in Ukraine erupted. Now, the prospects are even worse.

While the humanitarian needs are higher, the resources are still scarce, which is only aggravated by rising food prices. It is deeply worrying to know that the WFP has already had to reduce assistance for refugees and other vulnerable populations across East Africa and the Middle East.

Adding to the direct consequences of the conflict in Ukraine, the indiscriminate imposition of broad economic sanctions may further affect food insecurity. Unilateral sanctions are not only illegal under international law; as currently applied, they jeopardize access to products that are essential to the survival of a large portion of the world’s population. In the end, they tend to be heavily detrimental to developing countries, while some developed countries can protect their interests and guarantee the wellbeing of  their own population through sustained funds during the next years.

Madam President,

The General Assembly has recently adopted a resolution about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, with the support of Brazil. In our explanation of vote, we highlighted that the General Assembly could not become a bystander of the shocking images from the conflict and the desperation of civilians trapped in the battlefield. Neither can the Security Council. As the main UN organ with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council has the mandate and the responsibility to address this situation in an effective manner.

We should strive to create the conditions for increased dialogue on practical measures to minimize human suffering in Ukraine. Civilians wishing to flee the hostilities must be able to do so in safety, and those who decide to stay cannot become targets of attacks. In the same vein, parties must grant safe passage to relief consignments to those in need.

The situation in Mariupol is particularly concerning. We call on all parties to work towards concrete agreements to allow civilians to leave the city if they so wish. Parties should spare no efforts to prevent people from going missing and to share information on the status of protected persons under their control.

Once again, Brazil reiterates the call for all parties to fully respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law. No matter the causes of a conflict, once it erupts, civilians must be safe, the wounded must receive medical care, humanitarian assistance must reach those in need and detainees must be treated humanely, in all circumstances.

There must be no politicization of humanitarian messages nor selective application of international humanitarian law. Also, geopolitical objectives must not supersede the endeavor for peace nor prolong the human suffering caused by war.

Madam President,

The forecasts of most humanitarian organizations were already catastrophic for 2022. This conflict, apart from the enormous human suffering and devastation caused in Ukraine, will have spillover effects in the entire world, making it even more difficult to alleviate the dire situation of civilians in conflict-torn countries. The longer the conflict drags on, the higher the risk of further instability, hunger and devastation in Ukraine and elsewhere.

It is high time to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy, for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. We urgently need the cessation of hostilities. De-escalation of tensions and negotiations are the only way out of this conflict, not only for the countries directly involved but also for the whole world.

Thank you.