Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba de Potgieter
Statement As Delivered by Kelly Billingsley
Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council – 49th Session
March 16, 2022
Thank you, Special Representative. As a result of Russia’s premediated, unprovoked, and unjustified war in Ukraine, Ukrainian children are being injured, killed, traumatized, and deprived of basic necessities. This is especially true as women and children are forced to flee the country.
The United States applauds the efforts of UN organizations, non-governmental organizations, and others to provide life-saving relief on the ground. This includes food, safe drinking water, sanitation, shelter, emergency health kits, child protection services, and psychological care. Stakeholders are also making interventions to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The United States is one of the largest humanitarian donors to Ukraine. On February 27, the United States announced an additional $54 million in assistance to those Ukrainians affected by Russia’s further invasion. With this new contribution, since the conflict in Ukraine began eight years ago, the United States has provided nearly $405 million in humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities across Ukraine.
Question: What best practices can stakeholders use to most effectively assist those suffering hardships on the ground?
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