Thank you USG Griffiths and UNHRC Grandi for these startling updates on the catastrophic situation unfolding in Ukraine.
Dear Colleagues,
With its unprovoked aggression, Russia is causing an unprecedented humanitarian situation in Ukraine, on a scale that Europe has not seen in decades.
We all know the toll of war.
In every conflict, it is the civilian populations that bear the worst of the consequences, that pay the high price.
Conflicts equal with innocent victims, destruction, displacement and refugees, severe human suffering. Those who initiate conflicts do know this.
We heard that the situation is alarming.
UNHCR Grandi mentioned staggering numbers of hundreds of thousands of people on the move in Ukraine and out of Ukraine, and all this in a matter of few days. Women, children elderly and people with disabilities are currently the most in need.
As the aggression goes on, civilians everywhere in Ukraine are terrified of what awaits them, when the rocket is going to fall on their roof or in what other way this absurd war will affect them.
International law is clear: targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes serious crimes and perpetrators must be held accountable. There is no justification for this war as there is no justification when bridges are destroyed, when infrastructure is deliberately targeted, when missiles his residential areas.
Dear colleagues,
We are happy to hear that despite hostilities, the UN operation in Ukraine has expanded.
We support a strong and reinforced presence of the United Nations and humanitarian partners on the ground. We support the safe, unimpeded access and protection of humanitarian workers and the deliveries to areas affected by conflict.
Our messages are clear:
- Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected.
- Security and access for humanitarian efforts must be guaranteed.
- Safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its people is a priority.
- International humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld in particular the four Geneva Conventions and their first additional protocol.
- Human rights violations and other crimes must be documented for the purpose of accountability.
We commend all countries that are hosting refugees. As already announced last week by Prime Minister Edi Rama, we be happy to shelter Ukrainians forced to fleeing because of the war.
Albania has joined the wide array of sanctions recently adopted by EU; the air space of Albania will be closed to all Russian operators, except for flights conducted for emergency and humanitarian needs.
We are working to provide assistance in military and hospital supplies to Ukraine.
Dear Colleagues,
The decisions actions of the coming days will directly affect the lives of millions of people.
What is happing in Ukraine should not happen anywhere. We need peace not war; we need friendship nor aggression.
We are and will stand with Ukraine.
Thank you.