Greece warns of ‘catastrophic’ humanitarian crisis in Gaza at UN Security Council
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has warned that the humanitarian crisis has reached “catastrophic proportions” in Gaza where the “level of human suffering is unprecedented,” during a UN Security Council debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Speaking in his national capacity as chair of the annual debate, Gerapetritis stressed the urgency of humanitarian access. “No aid has entered Gaza for more than two months now. With more than 50,000 Palestinians dead, the level of human suffering is unprecedented. The need to uphold international humanitarian law, particularly the Four Geneva Conventions, remains ever crucial,” he said.
He also drew attention to the ongoing toll of conflict in Ukraine, as well as humanitarian emergencies in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Yemen and Myanmar. “Worldwide, conditions degrading human dignity are widespread, with displaced populations and millions on the brink of poverty,” he added.
Ahead of the meeting, Gerapetritis presented a joint declaration backed by 80 UN member states, urging all parties in armed conflicts to respect international humanitarian law. “The protection of civilians is not optional. It is a legal obligation and a moral imperative we cannot afford to neglect,” the declaration states.
Citing UN reports, the document describes Gaza as facing the “worst humanitarian crisis” since the start of hostilities in October 2023, with civilians at risk of famine and hundreds of aid workers killed.
It also highlights severe conditions in Sudan, where millions have been displaced and more than half the population faces acute food insecurity.
The declaration condemns the instrumentalization of humanitarian aid and calls on all warring parties to allow safe, rapid, and unhindered access to civilians in need, in accordance with international law.
The joint declaration was signed by Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, the Sovereign Order of Malta, Spain, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Turkey, the UAE and Uruguay.
Source: ekathimerini.com
