STATEMENT BY
MS. SONIA KARIM
MINISTER COUNSELLOR/DEPUTY POLITICAL COORDINATOR
Mr. President,
I thank you for convening this briefing, requested by Denmark and the United Kingdom, and supported by Slovenia, Greece, and Panama.
I also thank Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, for his important briefing.
We welcome the participation of the Representative of Ukraine in today’s meeting.
Mr. President,
As we mark Day 1,138 of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Sierra Leone remains deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Over the past month, and even within this period of indirect negotiations, reported intense Russian drone, missile, and bomb attacks have targeted numerous cities and villages, particularly along the eastern, southern, and northeastern fronts. These attacks have caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential areas, shopping centers, and energy facilities, directly threatening the safety and well-being of the affected population.
As tragically reported on April 4th in Kryvyi Rih, a missile strike hit residential areas and a playground, resulting in 19 fatalities, including 9 children, and leaving many more injured.
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), has reported that 12,654 civilians have been killed, and over 29,392 have been injured since 2022. UNICEF reports that more than 2,500 children have also been killed or injured in the conflict. With children consistently being harmed in major attacks since the beginning of 2025, we can only hope that a ceasefire is reached soon to prevent further destruction of Ukraine’s next generation.
Sierra Leone therefore continues to underscore the critical importance of adherence to international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Protecting civilian lives must remain the highest priority in any conflict, as consistently reiterated by members of this Council.
Mr. President,
When we examine the various dimensions of the dire humanitarian situation, it is also concerning to note the report of the World Health Organization (WHO) that over 3.7 million men, women, and children remain internally displaced in Ukraine, forced to flee their homes. Moreover, landmines and unexploded ordnance now contaminate an estimated 139,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory, further endangering civilians, particularly children, upon their return to their communities.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has indicated that approximately 36 percent of Ukraine’s population requires some form of humanitarian assistance. This highlights the severe impact of the conflict on the local population and the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid. We commend the health cluster partner organizations, including WHO, for their continued efforts in delivering life-saving health services to those in need.
Sierra Leone emphasizes the critical importance of sustained and flexible funding for humanitarian and recovery programs in Ukraine. This includes the collective humanitarian health response, which has received only $23 million of the $130 million it requires. Since January 2025, several health cluster organizations have had to halt their mobile and essential health services due to funding suspensions, affecting about 1.5 million people and 587 health facilities.
Mr. President,
What drives the dire humanitarian situation is the continuing hostilities. Sierra Leone reiterates that this conflict will not be resolved through military means. We therefore call on all parties to negotiate in good faith in the US-led talks, taking into consideration the legitimate concerns of all involved parties. We urge negotiators and intermediaries to approach these discussions objectively, mindful of the contextual underpinnings of this conflict.
In closing, Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at alleviating the dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine. As we move forward, it is essential that all parties prioritize the protection of civilians, respect for international humanitarian law, and the facilitation of humanitarian access to ensure the delivery of life-saving assistance to those in need. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
I thank you.
