UN Ambassador: Brazil concerned with the more vulnerable war victims

Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida, Brazil’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), said during an emergency session of the General Assembly on Wednesday (Mar. 23) that Brazil is concerned about the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the more vulnerable people, with reports indicating “difficulties in removing people with disabilities.”

“Civilians who wish to flee hostilities must be able to do so safely, and those who decide to stay must not become targets of attacks. Likewise, the parties must grant safe passage to relief shipments to those in need,” the ambassador argued.

Underscoring the importance of the end of hostilities, Genésio de Almeida said not only refugees must be taken care of, but also the people who stayed in Ukraine. He warned that the war can have a devastating impact on food security and increase the risk of hunger around the world, especially in developing countries.

The ambassador also said that indiscriminate sanctions can also have negative effects on the poor, who are still trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

“Regardless of the causes of a conflict, once it erupts, civilians must be spared, the injured must receive medical care, humanitarian assistance must reach those in need, and detainees must be treated humanely under all circumstances,” he said.

During the emergency session, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN, noted it has been one month since the Russian invasion began. “One month since the lives of Ukrainians were divided into two parts: a peaceful past on one side, and the present, full of war, suffering, death, and destruction.”