New Delhi, May 21: The United Nations has reported alarming statistics regarding civilian casualties in armed conflicts worldwide. According to the head of the UN’s Global Humanitarian Response Unit, a civilian dies every 14 minutes due to ongoing conflicts.
Adem Vosoranu, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), shared these figures during an open debate on civilian protection at the Security Council on Wednesday.
He stated, “We know the real toll is much higher, whether in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ukraine, or elsewhere.”
A related statement from the heads of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee highlighted a growing trend of blatant violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law during conflicts.
They remarked, “In every conflict, ordinary people, including children, are being killed, injured, and forced to flee their homes in large numbers.”
The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is particularly devastating for women and girls, leading to the destruction of their lives. Essential facilities such as homes, schools, places of worship, and hospitals are being destroyed or damaged. Additionally, vital civilian infrastructure like water supply, transport networks, markets, and food production are severely impacted.
Officials warned that wars are exacerbating hunger and famine, often linked to strategies of siege and deliberate food deprivation.
They also noted the significant toll on humanitarian workers, with over 1,000 aid workers losing their lives in the past three years.
Vosoranu emphasized that there are rules of war that apply to all parties involved. The issue is not a lack of laws but rather the failure to enforce these rules consistently, a lack of accountability, and inaction in the face of serious crimes.
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