UN General Assembly adopts resolution on humanitarian consequences in Ukraine due to Russian invasion

The voting ratio on the resolution was 140-5 with only Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea supporting Russia.

The UN General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly agreed on a resolution blaming Russia for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and persuading a complete cease-fire and protection for millions of residents and the homes, schools and hospitals critical to their survival.

The voting ratio on the resolution was 140-5 with only Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea supporting Russia.

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The resolution talks of the “dire humanitarian consequences” of Russia’s attack which it finds something that the international community has not seen in Europe in decades. It mentions Russia’s shelling, airstrikes and besiegement of heavily populated cities, with the southern city of Mariupol, and asks for an unhindered permit for humanitarian aid.

While abstaining from the voting, India’s permanent representative T.S. Tirumurti said, “India continues to stay deeply concerned at the ongoing situation, which has rapidly been deteriorating since the beginning of the hostilities. The conflict has resulted in the death of civilians and nearly ten million people have either been displaced internally or moved to neighbouring countries. We have constantly called for a cessation of hostilities.”

He also noted that the humanitarian situation in the region continues to worsen, particularly in the conflict zones in urban centres. Women, children and the elderly are disproportionately affected by the prolonging of the conflict. We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire.

“There is an urgent need to address the humanitarian needs of the affected population. In this regard, we support the initiatives of the UN and its agencies. We hope the international community will continue to respond positively to the humanitarian needs of the people of Ukraine, including through extending generous support to the Secretary General’s Flash Appeal and the Regional Refugee Response Plan on Ukraine,” he added.

Clarifying India abstain, he concluded that “Since what we require now is to focus on the cessation of hostilities and urgent humanitarian assistance. The draft resolution did not fully reflect our expected focus on these challenges.”