Ukraine: “$358 million Winter Response Plan” - Briefing | United Nations

Briefing by Gemma Connell, Director, Crisis Response Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. She underscored, “the purpose of humanitarian action is to preserve options for civilians, not to normalize ever-narrower ones.” Connell pointed out three things that are needed now. First, the parties must protect civilians and the infrastructure on which they depend. International humanitarian law applies, whatever the weapon, she said. Second, OCHA called on the parties to “agree on practical arrangements to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians everywhere, and enable safe and voluntary evacuations wherever needed.” “Third, humanitarian personnel must be respected and protected. And when incidents occur, there must be credible investigation and accountability,” she concluded.