Russia and Ukrainian conflict

.  An ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is a hot topic nowadays. The conflict involves Russia, pro-Russia forces, and Belarus in one block and the Ukrainian on another side. The conflict between both countries started in February 2014 following the Revolution of dignity and focus on the status of Crimea and parts of Donbas. Crimea and Donbas are internationally recognized as parts of Ukraine. The conflict includes the Russian annexation of Crimea, the war in Donbas, cyber warfare, naval incidents, Russia tried to hide its involvement by backing separatists in Donbas till 2014. Ukrainian alliance with NATO and other political tensions. Russia not only give support to the separatists of Donbas but also deployed its troops at the borders of Ukraine. Russia built up a large military presence on the borders from late 2021 and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 which is still going on.

The Kremlin has been moving troops toward the border with Ukraine while demanding Washington guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO and that the alliance will refrain from certain military activities in and around Ukrainian territory. The crisis has provoked fears of a renewed war on European soil. Russia’s an act of aggression that could spiral into the largest military conflict on European soil in decades. Moscow appears to be making all the preparations for war as it is moving military equipment, large troops, arms, and even medical units to the front lines.

 

Role of UNO:-

Secretary-General of United Nations Antonio Guterres on Ukrainian crisis stated that protecting civilians is ‘Priority Number One’; and released $20M for humanitarian support. He also stated that Russian military operations inside the sovereign territory of Ukraine have not been seen in decades before and it’s a conflict directly with the United Nations Charter. He reiterated that Stop the military operation and bring the troops back to Russia.

Toll of war

As deaths rise, and images of fear, snaps of military attacks, anguish, and terror in every corner of Ukraine could be seen, the top UN official reminded that “people – every day innocent people – always pay the highest price”. To protect these innocent civilians UN is scaling up its humanitarian operations in Ukraine to meet the dire need of time. UN gave $20 million aid to deliver the support in Ukraine in their hard time.

 Negotiation with both countries

Secretary-General of UN informed the reporters that UN staff are working on both sides to provide lifesaving humanitarian relief to people in need without any concern of who or where they are. The UN chief restated that international humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld, noting that their decisions will shape the whole world and directly affect the lives of millions upon millions of people around the world. He stressed “we need peace” and its not too late to save the generation from the hell of war.

General Assembly: return to diplomacy

General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid stated that the Charter is based on the principle of sovereign equality and assists the Member States to settle their international disputes by peaceful means. He reminds member states to uphold their obligation to the member states as Russian military aggression is inconsistent with the principles of the UN charter. He calls for an immediate ceasefire, de-escalation of tensions, and firm return to negotiate and dialogue. The protection and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainians is a top priority and need of the time.

 UNESCO: Respect international law

UNESCO, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization also called for restraint from attacks on, or harm to, children, teachers, education personnel, or schools, and for the right to education to be upheld and secure. UNESCO called for the respect of international humanitarian law to express its deep concerns. UNESCO includes the obligations under the Security Council Resolution 2022 on the security and protection of media professionals, journalists, and associated personnel in the situation of conflict to promote free, impartial, and independent media which can contribute to the protection of civilians.

UNICEF: Appeal for not harming children

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) echoed the Secretary-General’s appeal for an immediate cease-fire. UNICEF called on all members to uphold their international obligations to protect children from harm and to ensure that humanitarian actors can safely and quickly reach children in the need of hours.

“UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell also assists parties to refrain from attacking essential infrastructure on which children depend including health facilities and schools, water and sanitation systems.

 

Role of CDP Ukranian Recovery Fund:-

The CDP Ukrain Humanitarian Crisis Recovery Fund focuses on addressing humanitarian needs that arise among the most vulnerable, marginalized, and at high-risk internally-displaced peoples and refugees of Ukraine. CDP is also in contact with and can grant Ukrainian and other international organizations to help and support Ukraine.

Disaster experts recommend cash donations for on-the-ground agencies to directly fund the greatest area of need, to support economic recovery, and ensure donation management to not distract from disaster recovery needs. CDP gave suggestions for foundations to consider including:

1)    1) Understand that recovery is possible in protracted and complex crisis settings.

2)     2) Recognize there are places and ways that private philanthropy can help that other donors may not.

3)      3) All funders are disaster philanthropists advised to Ask the experts.