News item | 18-03-2022 | 17:58
How many Ukrainians are on the run? How do people in Ukraine get emergency aid? And how will the war in Ukraine affect the world? In the letter of 18 March, Minister Schreinemacher for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation provides an update on humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
War in Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Ukraine is very unsafe. In many places people have no way out. The war also often makes it impossible for the Ukrainian government or aid organizations to get Ukrainians out of dangerous situations, or to offer them emergency aid. And at the same time, there is a large flow of refugees from Ukraine.
Humanitarian crisis Ukraine in numbers
The situation in and around Ukraine changes from hour to hour. The numbers below show the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis:
- On March 16, more than 1.85 million people were displaced within Ukraine. At the same time, 3 million people had already fled Ukraine. Of these, over 1.9 million were in Poland, over 491,000 in Romania, over 351,000 in Moldova, over 283,000 in Hungary and over 228,000 in Slovakia. About 169,000 people left for Russia and about 2,100 for Belarus.
- The United Nations (UN) indicates that 12 million people need help within Ukraine.
- On March 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) 24 attacks on health facilities identified.
Emergency aid for Ukraine and neighboring countries
Emergency aid for people in Ukraine and for refugees from Ukraine was quickly launched by neighboring countries, the European Union (EU) and the international emergency aid system. Thanks to the multi-year Dutch support to emergency aid organizations, the UN and the Red Cross were able to start helping Ukrainians almost immediately.
Jointly responsible for humanitarian action
The war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis are taking place on the borders of the EU. EU countries demonstrate a broadly shared responsibility for humanitarian aid and the reception of refugees. It is therefore very important to coordinate this wide range of assistance. The EU plays a major role in this in its own member states. The UN plays a major role in Ukraine.
Not only governments and organizations, but also citizens are taking action en masse. The advice for Dutch people who want to offer help themselves is to join forces and work with or via professional platforms and organizations.
Humanitarian law in the war
In addition to directing humanitarian aid, the biggest challenge is getting aid where it is needed. The government is deeply concerned about Russian violations of international humanitarian law. These are important rules that must be followed especially in war. Think of:
- civilians and civilian objects (such as hospitals) must be spared in any conflict.
- humanitarian aid should not be hindered.
- warring parties have a duty to provide humanitarian aid.
- citizens who want to leave must be allowed safe passage.
- starvation, for example by cutting off food aid, should not be used as a method of warfare.
Together with other countries, the UN and the EU, the Netherlands seizes every opportunity to call on Russia to comply with international law. So also the humanitarian law of war.
Investigate violations of human rights and humanitarian law of war
It is important to investigate violations of human rights and humanitarian law of war. And that evidence is collected for use in court cases. The first steps have already been taken: the International Criminal Court has launched an investigation into the situation in Ukraine. The UN Human Rights Council also established a commission to collect evidence of human rights violations in Ukraine. The Netherlands has worked hard for this.
The Netherlands also gives € 1 million to the UN human rights organisation OHCHR† This allows the OHCHR continue to promote human rights in Ukraine and to document and report violations thereof.
Global humanitarian impact of the crisis in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine also has consequences for the world. Such as rising energy prices, growing poverty and greater food insecurity. This is due, for example, to low food stocks worldwide and sharply rising food prices. The number of undernourished people worldwide could increase by 8 to 13 million people by 2022/2023, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The situation will deteriorate further if the supply of grain from Ukraine and Russia is (partially) cut off. Also, the availability of fertilizers, of which Russia and Belarus are major producers, may be at risk.
The government believes that these consequences should receive worldwide attention. Investing in food security is necessary to help curb the potential global increase in humanitarian needs.